Sparks, NV

Sparks, Nevada

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:

• John Ascuaga's Nugget
• Silver Club Hotel/Casino
• Western Village Inn & Casino
• Mint Casino
• Rail City Casino
• Victorian Penny Park
• Tamarack Junction
• Sparks Heritage Foundation and Museum
• Atlantis Casino Resort (Reno)
• Fleischmann Planetarium (Reno)
• National Automobile Museum (Reno)
• Nevada Historical Society (Reno)
• Nevada Museum of Art (Reno)
• Sheppard Fine Arts Gallery (Reno)
• Wilbur D. May Museum (Reno)
• W.M. Keck Museum (Reno)

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.

Comparative Profile of Sparks, NV

Comparing Sparks to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Nevada (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

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

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Average Household Size
Portion of People Married

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
People Above Poverty
People in Middle Class or Better
Median Family Income
College Educated Adults

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Short Commute Times
Walking and Biking to Work
Public Transportation Use
Working at Home

Housing

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

Crime

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Low Violent Crime
Low Property Crime

Sparks Almanac

Sparks Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

Sparks Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Neighborhood and Nearby Area Names

According to the US Postal Service, Sparks, its neighborhoods, and/or surrounding areas are also referred to as:

Note that not all alternate names are acceptable for use in US Post Office addresses.

Nearby Cities and Towns

Sparks Hospitals

NORTHERN NEVADA MEDICAL CENTER
(Proprietary)
2375 PRATER WAY
(775) 331-7000
Emergency Service: Yes

Starbucks in Sparks

Sparks High Schools (2004)

REED HS
1350 BARING BOULEVARD
775-353-5700
Serves 2,328 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 19.7

SPANISH SPRINGS HS
1065 EAGLE CANYON DRIVE
775-425-7733
Serves 1,772 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 19.8

SPARKS HS
820 15TH STREET
775-353-5550
Serves 1,239 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 16.1

ACAD FOR CAREER ED CHARTER
1150 GREG STREET
775-324-3900
A charter school.
Serves 124 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 13.8

Sparks Colleges

Click school name for a detailed profile.

Milan Institute

(List of All Nevada Colleges)

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