Sparta, Wisconsin
- There is also a Town of Sparta.
Sparta, Wisconsin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nickname: Bicycling Capital Of America | |
 Location of Sparta in Monroe County, Wisconsin | |
| County | Monroe County, Wisconsin |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | John Sund |
| Area | |
• Total | 5.5 sq mi (14.3 km2) |
| • Land | 5.5 sq mi (14.2 km2) |
| • Water | .1 sq mi (.2 km2) |
| Population (2000) | |
• Total | 8,648 |
| • Density | 1,582.2/sq mi (610.4/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Website | www.spartawisconsin.org |
Sparta is a city in Monroe County, Wisconsin, along the La Crosse River. It is the county seat. The population was 8,648 at the 2000 census.
Notable people
- Deke Slayton - United States astronaut
- Kathryn (Kay) Clarenbach - Co-founder and first Chairwoman of the National Organization for Women (NOW), Co-founder of the Wisconsin Women's Network
Geography
Sparta is located at 43°56′35″N 90°48′42″W / 43.94306°N 90.81167°WInvalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function (43.943061, -90.811818)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.3 km² (5.5 mi²). 14.2 km² (5.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (1.09%) is water.
Climate
Sparta's location in the United States' upper midwest gives the area a temperate, continental climate. The warmest month of the year is July, with an average high temperature of 85°F (29°C), with overnight low temperatures averaging 63°F (18°C). January is the coldest month, with high temperatures averaging 26°F (-4°C), with the overnight low temperatures around 6°F (-14°C)
Transportation
The Sparta/Fort McCoy Airport serves general aviation for the area.
Railroad tracks owned by Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) pass through Sparta providing freight service.
The city is served by several major highways, including Interstate 90, Wisconsin State Highway 16, Wisconsin State Highway 21, Wisconsin State Highway 27,and Wisconsin State Highway 71.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 8,648 people, 3,583 households, and 2,217 families residing in the city. The population density was 610.4/km² (1,582.2/mi²). There were 3,733 housing units at an average density of 263.5/km² (683.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.97% White, 0.69% Black or African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.62% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.57% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. 1.82% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 3,583 households out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.1% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,397, and the median income for a family was $42,182. Males had a median income of $31,250 versus $21,634 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,238. About 10.0% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.0% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Sparta is the original home and international headquarters of several businesses, including Century Foods International, Northern Engraving Corp., Spartek, Mathews Inc., F.A.S.T. Corp., and Multistack.
Annual Events
- Sparta Butterfest
- Concerts in the Park
- Sound Taps Wisconsin 4th of July Celebration
- Sparta Area Cancer Support Walk
- Leon Gatorfest
- Ben Bikin' BBQ Bash