Sparta, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sparta, North Carolina
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Aerial view of Sparta
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  North Carolina |
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| County | Alleghany | |
| Named for | Sparta, the Greek city-state | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 2.36 sq mi (6.11 km2) | |
| • Land | 2.35 sq mi (6.08 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2) | |
| Elevation | 2,861 ft (872 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,834 | |
| • Density | 780.76/sq mi (301.47/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | |
| ZIP code |
28675
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| Area code(s) | 336 | |
| FIPS code | 37-63680 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 2407378 | |
Sparta is a town located in Alleghany County, North Carolina, in the United States. It is the main town, also known as the county seat, for Alleghany County. In 2020, about 1,834 people lived there. The town gets its name from the famous ancient Greek city-state, Sparta.
Contents
History of Sparta
How Sparta Got Its Name
In 1866, three men gave land to create the county seat. One of them, James H. Parks, was an early businessman. He suggested naming the new town "Sparta" after the ancient Greek city.
Early Businesses and Growth
Over the years, Sparta saw many important businesses open. The Alleghany News, a local newspaper, started in 1889. The Bank of Sparta opened in 1902. In 1949, Lowe's, a huge home improvement store, bought its second-ever store in Sparta. The town's first shopping center, Trojan Village, opened in 1977. Sparta Plaza followed in 1986.
Historic Buildings in Sparta
Two buildings in Sparta are very important historically. They are the Alleghany County Courthouse and the Jarvis House. Both are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are recognized for their special history and architecture.
The 2020 Earthquake
On August 9, 2020, Sparta was the center of a medium-sized earthquake. It was so strong that people felt it as far away as Georgia. This earthquake measured 5.1 on the Richter magnitude scale. It was the biggest earthquake to happen in North Carolina in over 100 years.
Geography and Location
Sparta is a small town with a total area of about 6.2 square kilometers (2.4 square miles). Most of this area is land. Only a tiny part, about 0.02 square kilometers (0.01 square miles), is water.
Climate in Sparta
Sparta has a climate with warm summers and cool winters. The average temperature throughout the year is around 52.6 degrees Fahrenheit (11.4 degrees Celsius). The town gets a good amount of rain, especially in spring and summer. It also sees some snow in winter.
Population of Sparta
Population Changes Over Time
The number of people living in Sparta has changed quite a bit over the years. In 1890, there were only 95 residents. The population grew to over 1,000 by 1960. By 2020, the town had 1,834 people.
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 95 | — | |
| 1900 | 501 | 427.4% | |
| 1910 | 199 | −60.3% | |
| 1920 | 159 | −20.1% | |
| 1930 | 466 | 193.1% | |
| 1940 | 648 | 39.1% | |
| 1950 | 620 | −4.3% | |
| 1960 | 1,047 | 68.9% | |
| 1970 | 1,304 | 24.5% | |
| 1980 | 1,687 | 29.4% | |
| 1990 | 1,957 | 16.0% | |
| 2000 | 1,817 | −7.2% | |
| 2010 | 1,770 | −2.6% | |
| 2020 | 1,834 | 3.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Who Lives in Sparta? (2020 Census)
The 2020 census showed that Sparta is home to a mix of different groups. Most residents are White (non-Hispanic). There are also people who identify as Black or African American, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander. A good number of residents are also of Hispanic or Latino background.
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 1,329 | 72.46% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 35 | 1.91% |
| Native American | 6 | 0.33% |
| Asian | 10 | 0.55% |
| Pacific Islander | 1 | 0.05% |
| Other/Mixed | 59 | 3.22% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 394 | 21.48% |
In 2020, there were 1,834 people living in Sparta. These people lived in 732 households, which included 409 families.
Places to See in Sparta
- The Sparta Teapot Museum was a unique place to visit, but it is now permanently closed.
Famous People from Sparta
Sparta has been home to some well-known individuals:
- Boyden Carpenter (1909–1995) was a talented bluegrass musician.
- Zach Galifianakis (born 1969) is a famous American actor, comedian, musician, and writer.
- Del Reeves (1932–2007) was a popular country music singer.
See also
In Spanish: Sparta (Carolina del Norte) para niños
