Sparks, Nevada
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Sparks is a city located in Washoe County, Nevada. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 66,346. Although Sparks was originally distinct from Reno, they have both grown toward each other to such a degree that today the border between them is purely political. They are often referred to as a twin city (i.e. "Reno-Sparks"). According to the local joke, "Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks."
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Geography
NVMap-doton-Sparks.png
Location of Sparks, Nevada
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 62.1 km² (24.0 mi²). 62.0 km² (23.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.25% water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 66,346 people, 24,601 households, and 16,630 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,070.9/km² (2,773.6/mi²). There are 26,025 housing units at an average density of 420.1/km² (1,088.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 78.38% White, 2.40% African American, 1.18% Native American, 4.99% Asian, 0.50% Pacific Islander, 9.11% from other races, and 3.46% from two or more races. 19.70% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 24,601 households out of which 35.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% are married couples living together, 12.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% are non-families. 24.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.67 and the average family size is 3.19.
In the city the population is spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 96.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $45,745, and the median income for a family is $52,029. Males have a median income of $35,215 versus $28,242 for females. The per capita income for the city is $21,122. 8.0% of the population and 6.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.8% of those under the age of 18 and 5.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
History
In the early historical period, the area that is now Sparks was inhabited by the Washoe people. Euro-American settlement of area began in the early 1850s. Early settlers often sold cattle to California-bound emigrants. The emigrants' cattle were commonly weak and sick from the long and arduous journey along the California Trail, and they needed fresh animals to take them over the Sierra Nevada. As part of the deal, the settlers would receive the emigrants' cattle, and then fatten them up to sell to the next year's batch of emigrants.
The population density in the area remained very low until 1904 when the Southern Pacific Railroad built a switch yard and maintenance sheds there. The city that sprung up around them was first called Harriman after Edward Harriman who was then president of the railroad. The city was quickly renamed Sparks after John Sparks, who was the Governor of Nevada at that time. This gesture was an unsuccessful attempt to forestall safety and tariff regulation of the railroads by the state.
Sparks remained a small and sleepy town until the 1950s, when economic growth in Reno triggered a housing boom in the area of Sparks north of the railroad. In the 1970s the area south of the railroad started to fill up with warehouses and light industry. In 1984 John Ascuaga's Nugget was built, giving Sparks its first, and to this date only, high-rise casino. In 1996, the city began an effort to redevelop the old and unsightly B Street business district across from the Nugget. This area, now known as Victorian Square, is a pedestrian-friendly district with many restaurants with open-air seating and small casinos.
Sparks is currently in the middle of a housing boom. Planned developments such as Wingfield Springs and D'Andrea Ranch have increase the value of the over all housing market. With all the new residents, Large big box retailers will be opening new centers in the Summer and Fall of 2005.
| Nevada | 
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| Regions: Great Basin | Mojave Desert | Lake Tahoe | Las Vegas Valley | |
| Largest cities: Carson City | Henderson | Las Vegas | North Las Vegas | Reno | Sparks | |
| Counties: Churchill | Clark | Douglas | Elko | Esmeralda | Eureka | Humboldt | Lander | Lincoln | Lyon | Mineral | Nye | Pershing | Storey | Washoe | White Pine | |