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Introduction to Sparks, Nevada
The Nevada city of Sparks, part of Washoe County, is located in the Truckee Meadows of northwestern Nevada between the Carson and Virginia Mountain Ranges, only 4 miles east of Reno and about 12 miles from the California border. Perched at an elevation of 4,500 feet, the city is bisected by Interstate I-80. Named for former Nevada Governor John Sparks, the city which at various times had been called East Reno, New Wadsworth, and Harriman became incorporated as the City of Sparks in 1905. Although originally distinct from Reno, the city has grown close to its western neighbor to the point where today they are often referred to as a twin city ("Reno-Sparks").
Things to do in and near Sparks
Sparks is widely known as the premiere special events venue for much of northern Nevada. "Arts in Bloom", a Mothers Day festival held at the Sparks Marina Park, features artwork, food and entertainment. "Star Spangled Sparks" is a Fourth of July celebration which includes a milk carton boat regatta, a kite flying contest, arts and crafts, entertainment, food, and drink. Labor Day weekend is the setting for the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off, an event which draws an estimated 400,000 people annually who come to enjoy the free entertainment, fun events, and who get to taste and compare the fantastic food. Oktoberfest is a fall event celebrating the sights and smells of Bavaria and featuring musical entertainment. On Thanksgiving Day, Sparks hosts its annual Turkey Trot, where participants can work off their Thanksgiving dinner by choosing between a 2-mile walk and a 2-mile or 10K (6.2 mile) run. The Sparks Hometown Farmers Market, held every Thursday evening from June through August, features fresh picked produce from some of the region's finest growers, a variety of international food and beverage, arts & crafts, stage music, and street performers.
The Sparks-Reno area is filled with entertainment and cultural sites. Gaming action is available at many local casinos, and the area includes museums and other attractions as well. Here are a few of the area's points of interest:
Sports fans can take the very short trip to Sparks' neighboring city of Reno, home of the University of Nevada, Reno and its Wolf Pack athletic teams. The Wolf Pack participates in the NCAA's Division I (I-A for football) as members of the Western Athletic Conference. Reno is also the hometown of a minor league baseball team, the Reno Silver Sox. The Sox are an independent team playing in the Golden Baseball League (GBL). In 2006, their inaugural season, the Silver Sox won the GBL Championship.
Comparing Sparks to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Nevada (State):
Ratings range from 
(lowest) to 
(highest).
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Male Share of the Population |  |  |
| Children Under 5 Years Old |  |  |
| Racial Diversity | | |
| Well-Paid Single Men |  | |
| Well-Paid Single Women | | |
| Age of the Population | | |
| Senior Citizens |  | |
| Female Share of the Population |  | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Average Household Size | | |
| Portion of People Married | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| People Above Poverty | |  |
| People in Middle Class or Better | | |
| Median Family Income | | |
| College Educated Adults | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Short Commute Times | | |
| Walking and Biking to Work | | |
| Public Transportation Use | | |
| Working at Home | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Housing Recently Built | | |
| Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals | | |
| Affordability of Property Taxes | | |
| People Living Alone | | |
| Affordability of Rents | | |
| Seasonal and Vacation Housing | | |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Low Violent Crime | | |
| Low Property Crime | | |
 | Sparks Colleges Sparks colleges and trade schools. |
 | Sparks Hotels & Travel Sparks hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation. |
 | Sparks Mortgage Sparks property, mortgage, and real estate. |
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