What are the schools like in Sparta, IL?

Sparta is served primarily by Sparta CUSD 140. The district operates 2 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.4:1.

What is the median household income in Sparta?

The median household income in Sparta, IL is $60,407 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 6.2%.

What is the weather like in Sparta, IL?

Sparta has an average high temperature of 40.1°F in January and 87.7°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 44.6 inches and annual snowfall averages 10.6 inches.

Sparta, IL Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Sparta, IL affordable or expensive?

Sparta's cost of living index is 91, where 100 represents the national average. This means Sparta is 9% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $113,400 and the median rent is $726 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Sparta, IL?

Sparta has a violent crime rate of 168.5 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1431.9 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Sparta, IL a Good Place to Live?

Sparta is a small town of 4,107 in Illinois, with a median household income of $60,407 and a 6.2% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is 9% below the national average.

Strengths: Sparta stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Sparta is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Sparta city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 91.3

Sparta's overall cost of living index is 91.3, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Sparta costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.

Metric	Sparta, IL	National Avg
Median Home Value	$113,400	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$726	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	59.0%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$60,407	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Sparta's violent crime rate is 168.5 per 100,000 residents — 56% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

168.5 /100k

Property Crime

1431.9 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Sparta is served primarily by Sparta CUSD 140. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.4:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Sparta, IL	National Avg
School District	Sparta CUSD 140	—
Elementary Schools	2	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	13.4:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	21.1%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	91.5%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Sparta sees average highs of 40.1°F in January and 87.7°F in July, with 44.6 inches of annual precipitation and 10.6 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Sparta, IL
Average High — January	40.1°F
Average High — July	87.7°F
Annual Precipitation	44.6"
Annual Snowfall	10.6"

Demographics

Metric	Sparta, IL	National Avg
Population	4,107	—
Median Age	40.5	38.9
Unemployment Rate	6.2%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	20.8 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	80.8%	59.3%
Black or African American	13.1%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.8%	18.9%
Asian	0.2%	6.3%
Under 18	23.8%	22.2%
65 and over	20.8%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Tilden, IL 6 mi Baldwin, IL 7 mi Coulterville, IL 8 mi Marissa, IL 8 mi Steeleville, IL 10 mi

ZIP Codes in Sparta

Sparta, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code:

62286

Sparta vs Other Cities

Sparta, IL vs Tilden, IL Sparta, IL vs Baldwin, IL Sparta, IL vs Coulterville, IL Sparta, IL vs Marissa, IL Sparta, IL vs Steeleville, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sparta, IL affordable or expensive?

Sparta's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average. That makes Sparta roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $113,400 and median rent is $726/month.

What is the crime rate in Sparta, IL?

Sparta's violent crime rate is 168.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1431.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Sparta?

Public schools in Sparta are operated by Sparta CUSD 140. The district has 2 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.4:1. 21.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Sparta, IL a good place to live?

Sparta, IL has a population of 4,107, a median household income of $60,407, and an unemployment rate of 6.2%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Sparta?

Sparta averages 40.1°F in January and 87.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 44.6 inches with about 10.6 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Sparta?

Sparta, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 62286.

What is the population of Sparta?

The population of Sparta, Illinois is 4,107 with a median age of 40.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Sparta?

Key numbers for living in Sparta: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $113,400, median household income $60,407, crime index 54 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Sparta side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.