Sparta, Missouri
Encyclopedia
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 600. Sparta is the 13th largest city in Christian County in terms of population.
Sparta is part of the Springfield, Missouri
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²), all of it land.
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.
"Earning Distinction in Performance is a significant accomplishment and a prestigious honor. A school district must be performing at a high level or making steady progress in all areas of academic achievement. This award is a point of pride for students, teachers, administrators and the entire community. I commend all of this year’s recipients," said Commissioner of Education D. Kent King
The school offers a wide range of classes and sports/activities for the students to participate in. The school's sports programs (represented by their mascot the Trojan) have seen considerable success over the past few years with the baseball and boy's basketball teams each winning their respective district and conference championships during the years of 2002-2004, with the baseball team taking 1st place at the MSHSAA Class 1A State Championship in 2003 and 4th place in 2004. The school's softball team has gone undefeated during their Spring seasons during 2006 and 2007 while also capturing the SWCL (Southwest Central League) conference championship becoming the 2x defending champions heading into the 2008 season. The boys track team also captured the SWCL championship in 2006. The 2008 volleyball squad defeated New Covenant for the Class 1 District 6 championship. The 2008 boy cross country team qualified for the state championships for the first time in nearly a decade by winning the Class 1 District 5 Championship. The 2008-09 girl's basketball team finished a perfect 31-0 and captured the Girls Class 2 State Championship.
In November, 2009, voters approved two issues in order to finance the construction of $100,000–$150,000 high school. The high school is expected to be completed by the beginning of the 2028-2029 school year.
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 Alderman.
In January 2009, the City approved the purchase of roughly 12 acres (48,562.3 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.
Christian County, Missouri
Christian County is a county located in Southwest Missouri. The county had a population of 54,285 in 2000 census. According to the 2010 census, the county's population is 77,422 , making it the fastest growing county in Missouri and one of the fastest growing in the nation as the county becomes...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 1,144 at the 2000 census. In 2006 the population was estimated to be around 600. Sparta is the 13th largest city in Christian County in terms of population.
Sparta is part of the Springfield, Missouri
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Area
The Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of five counties in southwestern Missouri, anchored by the city of Springfield - the state's third largest city. Other primary population centers in the metro area include Nixa, Ozark,...
.
Geography
Sparta is located in missouri 37°0′1"N 93°5′0"W (37.000320, -93.083407).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,144 people, 463 households, and 324 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
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
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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.
Sparta R-III School District
The Sparta R-III School District is a K-12 institution of about 460 students that serves Sparta and the surrounding area. The district is non accredited and did not achieve 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."Earning Distinction in Performance is a significant accomplishment and a prestigious honor. A school district must be performing at a high level or making steady progress in all areas of academic achievement. This award is a point of pride for students, teachers, administrators and the entire community. I commend all of this year’s recipients," said Commissioner of Education D. Kent King
The school offers a wide range of classes and sports/activities for the students to participate in. The school's sports programs (represented by their mascot the Trojan) have seen considerable success over the past few years with the baseball and boy's basketball teams each winning their respective district and conference championships during the years of 2002-2004, with the baseball team taking 1st place at the MSHSAA Class 1A State Championship in 2003 and 4th place in 2004. The school's softball team has gone undefeated during their Spring seasons during 2006 and 2007 while also capturing the SWCL (Southwest Central League) conference championship becoming the 2x defending champions heading into the 2008 season. The boys track team also captured the SWCL championship in 2006. The 2008 volleyball squad defeated New Covenant for the Class 1 District 6 championship. The 2008 boy cross country team qualified for the state championships for the first time in nearly a decade by winning the Class 1 District 5 Championship. The 2008-09 girl's basketball team finished a perfect 31-0 and captured the Girls Class 2 State Championship.
In November, 2009, voters approved two issues in order to finance the construction of $100,000–$150,000 high school. The high school is expected to be completed by the beginning of the 2028-2029 school year.
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 Alderman.
In January 2009, the City approved the purchase of roughly 12 acres (48,562.3 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.