The Numbers That Make Sparta, Sparta

Some mathematicians believe that everything around us can be represented and understood through numbers as a divine proportion. Sparta Township is no exception, for it, too, can be further understood once presented in numbers. Geographically, Sparta consists of about 38 square miles of land and two square miles of water. These two square miles of water help make up the one public and 11 private beaches of the town. At its highest elevation Sparta reaches 1,200 feet. To travel through the entire town, one would drive on approximately 100 miles of road. When looking to plan a trip, Sparta citizens need not go far, being situated just a short distance from three major cities: 45 miles from New York City, 55 miles from Trenton, and 110 miles from Atlantic City. According to the 2000 Census, about 18,080 people, 5,029 families, and 6,225 households make up the township of Sparta. Those families are consumers of approximately 1.7 million gallons of water per day. The total amount of waste produced by the town equals 18,012 tons. The last census also reported that the median income for a Sparta family was $100,658, and for a household was $89,835. Numbers indicate that Sparta residents have been less compliant with the law in 2006 than in 2005. In 2006, from January to June, 234 arrests were made, 54 of them involving juveniles. In 2005, from January to June, 109 total arrests were made, 25 of them involving juveniles. Non-compliancy carried over onto the roadways as well - from January to June of 2006 the Sparta police stopped 7,733 vehicles, up 1,741 from the same time frame the previous year; they issued 426 more motor vehicle summonses for a total of 2,689; and, on a more positive note, they responded to 13 less motor vehicle accidents for a total of 301. To accommodate its citizenry, Sparta offers several opportunities for education and recreation. The Sparta Township Public School District consists of two elementary schools, Alpine School and Helen Morgan School; one fifth grade elementary school, Mohawk Avenue School; one middle school, Sparta Middle School; and one senior high school, Sparta High School. In total, these five public schools employ 301 teachers to instruct 4,032 students. Sparta also is home to a parochial Catholic school system, consisting of Rev. George A. Brown Elementary School and Pope John XXIII High School, and a private school system consisting of Hilltop Country Day School and Sussex County Technical School. According to its Recreation Department, Sparta offers about 90 recreational programs each fall, winter, and spring, with approximately 725 participants each season. The Recreation Department maintains nine parks, containing about 41 facilities, including five playgrounds and 27 athletic fields. The elders in the Sparta community also take advantage of programs and facilities tailored to their lifestyle, with over 1,000 seniors attending the Sparta Senior Center each month. When the days get hot and kids are home from school, approximately 90 people register for summer tennis instruction and 150 kids take swim lessons. Summer camp also usually has a good show of participants, with 1,661 in attendance last year. Serving as both an educational and recreational facility, the Sparta Public Library holds about 65,000 items. In 2005, these items were checked out approximately 400,000 times. The library offers about 250 educational and recreational programs, with about 2,400 participants. With late fees of five cents per day, maxing at $2 for books, and $1 per day charged for overdue DVDs, maxed at $10, the Sparta Public Library generates about $33,000 a year from miscellaneous fines and fees. The historical town of Sparta is home to buildings that have stood tall for over 200 years, such as the VanKirk house, erected in 1790 and currently being used as a museum by the historical society. Sparta will continue to add to its history in the years ahead, finding new numbers to define itself!