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Are you thinking about relocating to a laidback city with a mild climate and affordable homes? You should consider living in Sparks, NV. Sparks is a city in Western Nevada known for its annual events, entertainment options, and shopping.
Sparks was founded in 1904 when the Southern Pacific Railroad purchased a large tract of land and offered to sell lots to employees for $1. As the population increased, Sparks became a proper city, named after Nevada Governor John Sparks. It was officially incorporated as a city in 1905.
Today, Sparks, NV is a good place to live for families who want a welcoming community with low crime and access to conveniences. If you think this may be the ideal community for you, here are the pros and cons of living in Sparks, NV.
Sparks is in Washoe County on the west side of Nevada, about 15 miles east of the California border. It's a principal city in the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area.
Several major highways pass through the city, including I-80 and Nevada State Route 659, which provide access to Reno and other parts of the state for drivers living in Sparks, NV. It's bordered by Reno neighborhoods to the West and South. Other nearby communities include Lockwood, Spanish Springs, and Sun Valley. The Sparks, Nevada elevation is 4,413 ft.
As of the 2020 census, Sparks's population is 108,455, making it the fifth most populous city in Nevada. The number of people living in Sparks, NV has steadily increased over the years and went up by 20% between 2010 and 2020. It offers a suburban/urban lifestyle with a population density of 2,993 residents per square mile.
Sparks is a relatively young, diverse community full of families. About 23% of residents living in Sparks, NV are under 18, and 27% are between 30 and 50. The racial and ethnic breakdown of the Sparks NV population is 64.6% white (54.1% white non-Hispanic), 34.2% Hispanic or Latino, 5.2% Asian, 2% Black or African American, 1.2% American Indian or Alaskan Native and 15.5% two or more races.
Plenty of famous residents have enjoyed the benefits of living in Sparks, NV, including former MLB player Jake McGee and Olympic gymnast Jake Dalton.
Other Sparks Demographics
The median household income is $81,512, which is about 10% higher than the rest of Nevada
51% of the population of Sparks, Nevada is male, and 49% is female
The median age is 37.1 years old
89.4% of residents living in Sparks, NV have a high school diploma, and 25.1% have a bachelor's degree or higher
The foreign-born population of Sparks, NV is 14%
Moving to Sparks, Nevada, is safe. However, as a medium-sized city, it does experience a slightly higher crime rate than the rest of the country. The total Sparks crime rate is 2,429 crimes per 100,000 people, which is 14.3% lower than the rest of Nevada but 4.5% higher than the national average.
The violent crime rate is also 8.1% lower than the rest of the state but 12.8% higher than the rest of the country, while the property crime rate is 15.5% lower than the state but 2.9% higher than the US. So, compared to the rest of the state, living in Sparks, NV is safe. However, you should still take the proper precautions as the crime rate in Sparks, NV, is slightly higher than that of a typical US city.
The Sparks Police Department handles public safety in the community, with the assistance of 120 officers and 55 civilian employees.
Cost of Living in Sparks, NV
The cost of living is likely at the top of your mind if you’re thinking about moving to Sparks. The cost of living in Sparks, Nevada, is relatively affordable for the high quality of life the city offers. A good way to examine an area's affordability is to examine its cost of living index. With the national average representing 100, it compares the average prices of standard consumer goods for people living in Sparks, NV to the rest of the country.
The COLI for the Reno-Sparks metro area is 104.4, indicating it's about 4.4% more expensive than your typical US city. Another good resource is the Family Budget Calculator developed by the Economic Policy Institute. It indicates that the typical family of four with two adults and two kids needs to earn $112,314 per year to afford the cost of living in Sparks, NV.
Standard Expenses for Shoppers living in Sparks, NV:
The Sparks NV sales tax is 8.27%. The cost of Sparks real estate is fairly expensive for all the city offers. According to Redfin, the median sales price of Sparks NV homes for sale is $529,995. The median price per square foot of Sparks NV real estate is $294.
You'll also find plenty of rentals available if you're planning on moving to Sparks as a tenant. Rentcafe states that the average rent in Sparks, NV is $1,660 per month. Census data reveals that 59% of homes in Sparks, Nevada, are owner-occupied, while 41% are rented out. About 11% of rentals are in large buildings with 50+ units, while 57% are in small-scale complexes and 31% are single-family rentals. Rent in Sparks, NV, starts around $1,000 for a 1 bedroom and goes up to $6,400 for 3 or more bedrooms.
Sparks Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Sparks
Living in Sparks, NV offers access to a range of highly desirable neighborhoods, each with a unique vibe and ambiance. While anywhere you choose to settle down will offer low crime and friendly neighbors, naturally, some areas have more to offer than others. Here are a few of the top neighborhoods among residents living in Sparks, NV.
Wingfield Springs | A Suburban Neighborhood with Access to Amenities
Situated adjacent to the popular Red Hawk Golf Course and resort, Wingfield Springs is a family-friendly community boasting spacious homes and plenty of walking trails and open space.
D'Andrea | An Upscale Neighborhood with Mountain Views
Perched atop a hillside overlooking the Sierra Nevada Mountains and downtown, D'Andrea is a quiet, upscale neighborhood for wealthy residents living in Sparks, NV, with its own gold club and access to shopping at the nearby Legends Outlets.
The Vistas | A Peaceful Neighborhood with an Active HOA
The Vistas is a serene residential community consisting of close to 1,500 single-family homes in the Truckee Meadows area of Sparks, with tree-lined streets, playgrounds, and great views of the surrounding mountains.
Sparks Weather & Climate
The weather in Sparks, NV, is relatively mild throughout the year. According to the Koppen Classification System, it has a semi-arid climate with warm summers and cool winters. The temperature in Sparks, NV, usually stays between 24F and 92°F, although summers can get up to 98°F and winters can drop down to 14°F. You'll probably want to visit someone living in Sparks between June and August.
Despite its dry climate, the city does get some precipitation. Sparks averages about 8 inches of rain and 19 inches of snow per year, so make sure to bring an umbrella and snow boots!
Things to Do in Sparks
From parks to drive-in theaters, you'll find a ton of fun things to do in Sparks, NV. There are plenty of shopping and dining options for people living in Sparks, NV at the Outlets at Legends, Sparks Galleria Shopping Center, or Sparks Crossing. Scheels is also known as the world's largest all-sports store, which is close to 300,000 square feet. If you're looking for additional entertainment options, here are a few fun things to do in Sparks.
Sparks Marina Park is a beautiful public park surrounding a 77-acre lake. It is a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts living in Sparks, NV, who want to do some fishing, boating, dog walking, picnicking, and other outdoor activities. The park has volleyball courts, picnic tables, playgrounds, and more.
One of the best things to do in Sparks, NV, with kids, the Waterpark at Wild Island is a popular water park featuring slides, pools, children's areas, and other entertainment options like bowling, mini golf, and an arcade.
You'll also find an interesting variety of restaurants in Sparks, NV, including everything from Mexican restaurants to fine dining establishments. Here are a few of the best restaurants in Sparks, NV you should check out today.
Carlillos Cocina is a laidback Sparks, NV restaurant that serves breakfast, tacos, enchiladas, and other classic Mexican dishes in a comfortable setting.
Pietro's Famiglia is one of the best Italian restaurants in Sparks. It offers a wide selection of mouthwatering entrees and pasta dishes, as well as live entertainment on the weekends.
Moving to Sparks offers access to a stable economy with plenty of job opportunities. Washoe County has a business-friendly economy with no personal state income tax or corporate income tax.
Key industries in Western Nevada offer employment to residents living in Sparks, NV include technology, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, financial services, healthcare, and aerospace and defense. Most Sparks NV jobs are in fields such as logistics, real estate, construction, and hospitality.
Payscale shows that the average salary in the Reno area is $74,000 per year. Employment hunters will find an assortment of high-paying Sparks jobs available in roles such as inventory specialist and plant manager.
Sparks Schools
The Schools are generally good, and students living in Sparks, NV are sure to get a quality education. Sparks is within the Washoe County School District. There are four high schools, five middle schools, and 14 elementary schools in Sparks, NV. A few notable elementary schools include Van Gorder, John Bohach, and Florence Drake Elementary School. These schools score highly in math and reading proficiency and rank among the top 30 elementary schools in Nevada.
The four Sparks high schools are Edward C. Reed, Hug, Spanish Springs, and Sparks High School. Edward C. Reed and Spanish Springs are generally considered the best Sparks NV high schools, and each offers a well-rounded curriculum and a range of extracurricular activities.
There are several private schools in Sparks, NV, including Summit Ridge Christian School and The Goddard School of Sparks. There are two branches of the Washoe County Public Library available to residents living in Sparks, NV, one near downtown and one in Spanish Springs.
Sparks Statistics & Information
County: Washoe
Sparks area: 36.60 square miles
Sparks zip code: 89431, 89434, 89437
Sparks area code: 775
Sparks Nevada elevation: 4,413 ft
Sparks time zone: Pacific Time Zone (UTC-7 and -8)
Discover more activities, attractions, and fun things to do while living in Sparks, NV, with this map.
Ready to relocate to this fantastic community? Trust the reliable team of Sparks movers at Move 4 Less to make your upcoming move easy and efficient. Call (702) 381-1200 today for a free quote.
Moti Perez
As a cofounder and business owner of Move 4 Less, my passion is to deliver the highest quality of moving services in the industry. My varied background has thought me the value of seeking new challenges, working hard, keeping customers happy and focus on success.
In 2002, I got my first taste in the moving industry, working for Nationwide Moving&Storage. For a little over two years I worked in a number of frontline and management positions, learning the ins and outs of the moving industry.
The business is now one of the largest moving companies in the Las Vegas metropolitan area.
I also had some time in between to open, manage and sell few restaurants and retail business. I continue to invest in Realestate and any other interesting business opportunity.
