$386,409Average Value$251Average Price per Sq Ft6Homes For Sale
Sparta Township is one of Michigan’s top apple producers
Sparta Township turns pink with apple blossoms in the spring, and tourists stop by to visit pumpkin patches in the fall. Just 15 miles north of Grand Rapids, this rural township is part of the Ridge, a region of rich soil where 75% of Michigan’s apples originate. “I really enjoy the agricultural nature of the area and our strong farming community,” says township supervisor Dale Bergman. “Two-thirds of the township is prime growing soil, and that’s something we strive to preserve.”
Surrounding the quaint village of Sparta, this township has seen more growth than its neighboring communities. But it still holds on to a rural pace of life, with large yards and the lowest possible CAP Index Crime Score, a 1 out of 10. “On the street I live on, you’ve known everyone who has lived there for 100 years,” says township trustee Bill Goodfellow, whose family farm has passed down through generations.
Sparta Township offers peaceful living amongst a mostly rural landscape.
Sparta Township is known for being one of Michigan’s top apple producers.
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Rural homes with limited new development
Most of the development in Sparta Township happens on the east side of State Route 37 because that land is less conducive to farming. “There are areas that are good for growing apples, and there are areas that are good for growing houses, and they aren’t the same,” Goodfellow says. Country roads pass by homes on acres of land, so far away from any city center that all properties use private septic systems and well water. Some areas around the Rogue River and Nash Creek have a slight risk of flooding.Midcentury ranch homes start around $250,000 and get up to $450,000 based on renovations and acreage. The most affordable option is the Riverview at Sparta, a mobile home community with prices from $60,000 to $150,000. There is also some new additions to the area, mainly large custom homes that range in price between $500,000 and $700,000. “We have some in-fill with nicer homes on large lots, and the mobile homes community is expanding, but we don’t have much new construction in the medium price range,” Bergman says.
Many modern estates with sprawling yards can be found in Sparta Township.
Sparta Township contains a number of mobile home communities.
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Quaint shopping and lively events in the village of Sparta
The township surrounds the village of Sparta, a growing community with a charming downtown district. Storefronts dating back to the 1880s are home to boutiques, breweries and locally owned restaurants. A post office, library and Family Fare Supermarket make Sparta a go-to spot for running errands, and there’s an active calendar of social events. “The village is excellent in terms of attractions and activities,” Bergman says. “There are parades and concerts in the park, plus the Apple Festival, the Celtic Festival and the Beer & Brat Festival are all great.”
Sparta Township women go to Blondie Blossom Boutique for stylish clothing and accessories.
Brick Haus Brews serves beer and classic comfort food in Sparta Township.
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Sparta schools offer college credit
Students typically head into the village of Sparta to attend school. Ridgeview Elementary School serves kindergarten through second grade and gets an A-minus from Niche. Appleview Elementary is for third through fifth grade and is rated B-plus. Both Sparta Middle and Sparta High receive a B rating. The high school partners with Grand Rapids Community College and Kent Career Technical Center to allow students to earn college credit and build real-world skills. In 2018, Sparta High’s football stadium was completely redone with a turf field.
Sparta Senior High School offers 12 AP courses and has dual enrollment opportunities.
Ridgeview Elementary School in Sparta, Michigan has an overall Niche grade of A-.
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Apple-picking, hayrides and lakesides
Although the village of Sparta has several community parks with the usual ball fields and playgrounds, outdoor attractions in Sparta Township are a bit more farm-focused. Fruit Ridge Hayrides opens for pumpkin patches, corn mazes and hot apple cider in the fall. A bit further south, Schwallier’s Country Basket is a regional favorite for apple picking, and visitors can pay extra to shoot the fruit out of their high-powered apple cannons. Stoney Ridge Vineyards & Winery serves flights of house-made wine and cider with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. Several smaller farms also put out stands during the growing season with fresh produce. Long Lake Park is a popular summer destination just north of the township for its sandy beach and picnic areas.
Schwallier's Country Basket is a family-owned farm market and apple orchard in Sparta Township.
Long Lake Park has a small beach where Sparta Township residents can swim.
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Commuting into Grand Rapids takes 20 minutes
Downtown Grand Rapids is 15 miles away via State Route 37 or U.S. Route 131. The trip usually takes 20 minutes. The big city has several major hospitals and the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. In addition, Lake Michigan is about 30 miles west, and the outdoorsy city of Newaygo is 25 miles north.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Parks in this Area
William A Rogers Village Park
Sparta Sports Park
Long Lake Park
Transit
Airport
Gerald R Ford International
40 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Sparta Township
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Sparta Township Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Sparta Township, Sparta sell after 79 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Sparta Township, Sparta over the last 12 months is $415,000, down 18% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
32 +/- Acres in Sparta, MI Perfect for Recreation and InvestmentThis 32-acre property in Sparta is packed with potential. With over 1,500 feet of Rogue River frontage and Nash Creek access, it's an ideal spot for hunting, fishing, or developing your retreat. The land offers solid opportunities to improve and add valuewhether it's developing the property for recreation, enhancing the
Custom-built luxury home on a stunning 16.71-acre estate! This beautifully crafted 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath residence with over 4,000 sq ft of living space offers exceptional quality and design throughout. Enjoy spacious living with a flowing floor plan, chef's kitchen, and high-end finishes. The primary bedroom suite includes a spa-like bath with radiant heated floors, natural stone shower, towel
Rare farmhouse on 6.2 private acres with space to make your country living dream a reality. This 5-bedroom, 2 bath home features over 2,000 sq ft and offers the ideal setup for horses, chickens, or hobby farming. Inside: main floor bedroom, full bath, kitchen, dining, living room with fireplace, sunroom, and laundry/mudroom. Upstairs: 4 bedrooms and full bath. Outside: large 6-stall barn with
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Brieana Rookus,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
4,966
Median Age
40
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
25.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$83,757
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$102,725
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
86.7%
College Graduates
24.1%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
7.5%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
70.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
39''
Average Winter Low Temperature
19°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
46''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
23/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
22/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
