Sparta is a city in Christian County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,144 at the 2000 census. In 2006 the population was estimated to be around 1,600. Sparta is the 3rd largest city in Christian County in terms of population.  Sparta is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area.

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/sq mi (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 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 15.3% 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 30.9% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 80.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,768, and the median income for a family was $27,981. Males had a median income of $25,227 versus $17,206 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,869. About 14.3% 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.

This information is taken from Wikipedia.org, the free encyclopedia.  More information can be found at city-data.com.