Sparta, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sparta, North Carolina
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Aerial view of the sunrise over Sparta 11/11/2021
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| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| 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 | 2,927 ft (892 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 1,770 |
| • Estimate
(2019)
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1,723 |
| • Density | 733.50/sq mi (283.23/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 | 0995271 |
Sparta is a town in Alleghany County, North Carolina, United States. At the last 2010 census, the population was 1,770 people. It is the county seat of Alleghany County.
History
James H. Parks, an early businessman whose store stood near the present location of the ABC store, was one of three men who donated land for the county seat in 1866. Parks is credited with suggesting the name "Sparta", after the Greek city-state.
Noteworthy businesses established in Sparta included The Alleghany News (1889), the Bank of Sparta (1902), and the second store purchased by home improvement giant Lowe's (1949). Sparta's first shopping center, Trojan Village, opened in 1977, followed by Sparta Plaza in 1986.
The Alleghany County Courthouse and Jarvis House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Geography
Sparta is located at 36°30′20″N 81°7′18″W / 36.50556°N 81.12167°W (36.505639, -81.121718).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km2), of which 0.0077 square miles (0.02 km2), or 0.32%, is water.
Demographics
| 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% | |
| 2019 (est.) | 1,723 | −2.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 census
| 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% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,834 people, 732 households, and 409 families residing in the town.
Notable people
- Zach Galifianakis (Oct 1, 1969 - ), American actor, comedian, musician and writer
- Boyden Carpenter (1909–1995), bluegrass artist
- Octavia Jordan Perry (1895–1991), writer; inspired by summers spent in Sparta
- Del Reeves (1932–2007), country singer
In popular culture
Sparta was stated to be the hometown of Charlotte Simmons in Tom Wolfe's 2004 novel I Am Charlotte Simmons.
See also
In Spanish: Sparta (Carolina del Norte) para niños
