Sparta is located in Alleghany County (of which it is the county seat) northwest of Winston-Salem, between Elkin and Independence, VA along US Hwy 21 on the banks of the Little River near Roaring Gap, Laurel Springs, Stone Mountain State Park, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The population estimate for July 1, 1998 was 1,991, an increase of 34 since 1990.