Sparta, Missouri

History

A post office called Sparta has been in operation since 1876. The city's name is a transfer from Sparta, Tennessee.

Geography

Sparta is located in Missouri 37°0′1″N 93°5′0″W (37.000320, -93.083407).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.24 square miles (3.21 km²), all of it land.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,756 people, 696 households, and 476 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,416.1 inhabitants per square mile (546.8/km²). There were 763 housing units at an average density of 615.3 per square mile (237.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.6% White, 0.2% African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.6% of the population.

There were 696 households of which 40.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.6% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.07.

The median age in the city was 30.8 years. 29.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30.3% were from 25 to 44; 18.8% were from 45 to 64; and 12.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.1% male and 52.9% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,144 people, 463 households, and 324 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,304.3 people per square mile (501.9/km²). There were 509 housing units at an average density of 580.3 per square mile (223.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.50% White, 0.26% African American, 0.87% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.35% from other races, and 1.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.22% of the population.

There were 463 households out of which 87.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 45.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city the population was spread out with 10.9% under the age of 18, 2.8% from 18 to 24, 10.3% from 25 to 44, 38.6% from 45 to 64, and 64.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 62 years. For every 100 females there were 60.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 61.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $16,768, and the median income for a family was $17,981. Males had a median income of $15,227 versus $11,206 for females. The per capita income for the city was $6,869. About 34.3% of families and 87.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.1% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over.

Government and infrastructure

Following the April 2015 resignation of Chief Rick Crawshaw, Andrew Spencer was selected to replace him in August. Spencer was put on leave in November of that year for shooting a captured dog after learning that he needed to respond to a car crash. In December Spencer resigned and the remaining two police officers left. Policing is now provided by the Christian County Sheriff's Office.

Sparta R-III School District

The Sparta R-III School District is a K-12 institution of about 750 students that serves Sparta and the surrounding area. The district is accredited and achieved Accreditation With Distinction in Performance for the 2005-2006, 2006–2007, 2007–2008, and 2008-2009 school years, the highest honor a school in Missouri can receive.