Sparta offers nature, history and a lower cost of living
The Middle Tennessee city of Sparta is known for its inviting outdoor recreation, rich cultural heritage and historic sites. However, the biggest draw for homebuyers in this small community is the overall quality of life. "It's just a great place to live. It's still a rural setting, but we've got great access to a larger city in Cookeville," says Todd Hasty, a Realtor with eXp Realty with over 20 years of experience. "Our property tax and general cost of living and buying a house are still low, comparatively." With its location along the scenic Calfkiller River, Sparta offers a peaceful countryside community within quick reach of nearby cities.
Homes in Sparta include new construction and early 1900s styles
Ranch-style and New Traditional homes make up much of the housing stock. The Sparta Residential Historic District features early 1900s bungalows, cottages and Colonial Revival-style residences. The area has also seen an uptick in new construction since the 2020s. Most Sparta properties offer plenty of space, with a median lot size of around a half-acre. Leafy trees line the city streets, and the more rural areas have wide-open fields across rolling hills. The median sales price in Sparta is around $340,000, lower than in Cookeville.
Monthly and annual concerts honor the local musical heritage
As the hometown of musicians Lester Flatt and Benny Martin, Sparta bills itself as Bluegrass, USA. The city honors their contributions to music and keeps their legacy alive through the annual Liberty Square celebration. This free, one-day event brings touring bluegrass artists to town for performances on the square outside the Oldham Theater. It also includes over 100 vendors selling food, arts and crafts. Musical fun isn't limited to just one day, though. Bluegrass on the Square is a concert series held at the Liberty Square Amphitheater on the third Friday of each month from May to October.
Waterfalls, rivers and parks offer outdoor fun near Sparta
Outdoor recreation surrounds Sparta. "There are several state parks. Burgess Falls State Park is nearby, and it's got three sets of waterfalls and some hiking. Center Hill Lake is close by for boating and fishing," Hasty says. "Another thing people do is kayaking and canoeing. The Calfkiller River runs right through the middle of Sparta." In addition to Burgess Falls, visitors can see waterfalls at Rock Island State Park and Fall Creek Falls State Park, home to the tallest vertical drop waterfall east of the Mississippi. Within the city, there's South Carter Street Park, which has walking trails, picnic shelters and a playground. The Sparta Rock House State Historic Site, built in the 1830s as a toll stop and travelers' rest, hosted political leaders such as Sam Houston and U.S. presidents Andrew Jackson and James K. Polk.
Locally owned restaurants cluster around the town square
Downtown Sparta is the heart of the community's commercial activity. "For a small town, Sparta has a good local restaurant scene, especially in the downtown area," Hasty says. "Some of the best pizza that I've eaten is called Marioochi's, and it's on the square downtown. It's authentic Sicilian pizza, and it's got a great atmosphere too." The Coffee Collective is next door to the pizzeria and serves classic and specialty drinks, plus breakfast sandwiches. Happy Trails Brewery & Taproom offers locally brewed beer and bar food. Groceries are available at Floyd's Cash Saver, Save A Lot or Walmart. Other stores include Walgreens and Dollar General. Residents can head north on state Route 111 to Cookeville for more shopping and dining.
Career-focused programs available at White County High School
Woodland Park Elementary School receives a B-minus from Niche, while White County Middle School and White County High School each earn a B. The high school offers several career pathways, including agriculture, architecture, health science and STEM. Students can also participate in work-based learning, pairing them with local businesses to gain hands-on experience.
State and U.S. highways offer easy access to nearby cities
U.S. Route 70 and state Route 111 are the main highways through Sparta. Route 111 offers an 18-mile drive north to Cookeville. Route 70 runs east-west across Tennessee and leads about 27 miles east to Crossville. Residents can connect to Interstate 40 in Cookeville. Ascension Saint Thomas Highlands provides health care within the community.
Written By
Matthew Atkins
