Sparta, Missouri

Sparta, Missouri
City
Location of Sparta, Missouri Location of Sparta, Missouri
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Missouri
County	Christian
Area
• Total	1.24 sq mi (3.21 km2)
• Land	1.24 sq mi (3.21 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation	1,404 ft (428 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	1,756
• Estimate (2012)	1,778
• Density	1,416.1/sq mi (546.8/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	65753
Area code(s)	417
FIPS code	29-69302
GNIS feature ID	0752280

Sparta is a city in Christian County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,756 at the 2010 census.

Sparta is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

Sparta is located in Missouri (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.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1880	23		—
1900	300		—
1910	271		−9.7%
1920	257		−5.2%
1930	243		−5.4%
1940	237		−2.5%
1950	244		3.0%
1960	272		11.5%
1970	380		39.7%
1980	743		95.5%
1990	751		1.1%
2000	1,144		52.3%
2010	1,756		53.5%
Est. 2014	1,787		1.8%
U.S. Decennial Census

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.

August 7th, 2007 Elections (Park Tax)

If approved by voters, the sales tax in Sparta would go up a half-cent to create a city park. Sparta's current sales tax of 6.725 cents on the dollar would jump to 7.225 cents for seven years and then back off to 6.975 cents. Revenue would be used to purchase, construct and maintain a park at a location to be determined.

The half-cent hike "would only add about 50 cents on a $100 purchase," said city clerk Jane Sherrow. This is only the first step. No land would be purchased until the money is available, she added."Council members have looked at different areas in town, but not too many sites are available. First we'll have to get the money."

Resident Marlena Burks — who was instrumental in getting the issue placed on the ballot — said that more than a dozen children live on her block alone."In the afternoons and evenings, families get out and play with our kids," she said. "It would really be nice to have a place that's not in the road and also a healthy environment."

The city currently has no park, Sherrow said.

The Tax Increase was passed by voters with a margin of 93-70. The tax will go into effect January, 2008. The city is currently contacting land-owners for ideas for a location for the park.

In October 2008, the Sparta Board of Aldermen created a 5-member Park Board that will oversee the development and operations of the new city park. The Park Board will be appointed by the Mayor and will oversee the construction and operations of any future park. Board members must live in the City Limits of Sparta. As of November 2008, no specific person has been named to the board. The Park Board will report to the City Council and all decisions will be approved by the Board of Aldermen.

In January 2009, the City approved the purchase of roughly 12 acres (49,000 m²) for the new City park. The City and the Park Board are currently exploring what exactly the park should include. As of now plans are for playground equipment, a baseball/softball field, and possibly a walking trail.

In June 2009, the City had given approval for the Park Board to proceed with exploring financing options in order to buy playground equipment and to put up a fence around the park land.