Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Sparta, MI Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

4,271

Median Agei

37.1

Race & Ethnicityi

White

91.1%3,892

Two or More

3.9%168

Hispanic/Latino

3.4%147

Asian

1.2%52

Black

0.2%7

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.1%5

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

2%59

High School Diploma

32.5%969

Some College (<1 yr)

6.9%205

Some College (1+ yr)

14.8%443

Associate's Degree

13%387

Bachelor's Degree

19%567

Master's Degree

3.9%115

Professional Degree

0.1%4

Doctorate

0.3%10

HS or Higher

92.5%

BA or Higher

23.3%

Graduate+

4.3%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$215,400

Median Renti

$983

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

76.5%1,399

Renter-Occupied

23.5%429

Total Units

1,863

Homeownership

76.5%

Vacancy Rate

1.9%

Home Values

Under $50K

2.1%29

$50K–$100K

2.9%41

$100K–$150K

9.8%137

$150K–$200K

27.3%382

$200K–$300K

37.2%521

$300K–$500K

18.1%253

$500K–$1M

2.6%36

Rent Distribution

Under $500

$500–$750

$750–$1,000

132

$1,000–$1,250

115

$1,250–$1,500

$1,500–$2,000

$2,000+

Year Built

2020 or later

3.5%65

2010–2019

3.3%62

2000–2009

10.4%194

1990–1999

12.8%239

1980–1989

6.4%119

1970–1979

7.4%138

1960–1969

13.6%253

1950–1959

6.2%116

1940–1949

9.9%185

1939 or earlier

26.4%492

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

89.4%1,635

Electricity

7.8%142

No Fuel

2%36

Other

0.4%8

Fuel Oil

0.4%7

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$60,728

Mean Household Incomei

$73,753

Per Capita Incomei

$32,077

Poverty Ratei

9.3%

Unemploymenti

6.7%

Labor Forcei

2,169

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

7.1%129

$10K–$15K

4%74

$15K–$20K

1.9%35

$20K–$25K

0.4%8

$25K–$30K

6.1%111

$30K–$35K

7.3%134

$35K–$40K

0.8%15

$40K–$45K

4.3%78

$45K–$50K

3.6%65

$50K–$60K

13.2%242

$60K–$75K

11.9%218

$75K–$100K

17.4%318

$100K–$125K

7.6%139

$125K–$150K

6.5%118

$150K–$200K

5.3%97

$200K+

2.6%47

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

107

Residentsi

151

Avg. Tenant Renti

$428/mo

Programs in this community

Housing Choice Vouchers14 homes

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 848 homes78% occupied$394/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

202/PRAC45 homes92% occupied$465/mo rent

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $60,728/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $18K/yr

72.1%

Very low income$18K–$30K/yr

27.9%

Who Receives This Housing

78.7% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

5.7% of subsidized households are minority

9.2% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

60.8% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

1012.4%

By Region

Top Countries

Philippines

Mexico

China

United Kingdom

Korea

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

2,011

Avg. Commutei

26 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

2,024

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

163(4.8% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

93.7%Insured

6.3%Uninsured