D+
4%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
13%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
3%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleSparks/100k peopleNevada/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime2,683n/a (estimate)2,4292,8342,324
Murder6n/a5.46.86.3
Rape85n/a76.958.940.0
Robbery103n/a93.286.166.1
Assault267n/a241.7302.3268.2
Violent crime461n/a (estimate)417454370
Burglary281n/a254.4436.1269.8
Theft1,586n/a1,435.61,453.51,401.9
Vehicle theft355n/a321.3490.5282.7
Property crime2,222n/a (estimate)2,0112,3801,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Sparks, NV

Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Sparks crime rate is higher than the national average by 4.5%. Specifically, there were 461 violent crimes in Sparks, equivalent to 417 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 12.8%. Furthermore, Sparks recorded 2222 property crimes, amounting to 2011 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 2.9%.

In terms of the total Sparks crime rate per 100,000 people, it falls within the midrange when compared to other cities across the United States. Our analysis of total crimes, encompassing both violent and property offenses in Sparks, revealed that the reported crime rates closely align with the nationwide average reported by other areas.

When it comes to violent crimes per 100,000 people, Sparks maintains a rate that is very similar to the national average. With 417 reported violent crimes, it falls in line with the national average of 370. This alignment suggests that Sparks shares a similar crime profile with other cities, highlighting its comparable level of safety within the broader urban landscape.

Sparks maintains a property crime rate that closely resembles the national norm. In Sparks, 2011 property crimes were reported, aligning with the national average of 1954 per 100,000 individuals. Consequently, the area's safety profile stands on par with the average city, neither significantly safer nor more dangerous. This consistency underscores a balanced commitment to community safety and security, providing residents with a stable and reassuring living environment.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Sparks?

AreaVibes surveyed 23 local residents in Sparks to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 39% of people answered that there was very little crime in Sparks and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 61% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.

Is Sparks a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Sparks is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Sparks has an overall crime rate that is 4% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 7.35 daily occurrences, comprising 1.26 violent crimes and 6.09 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Sparks as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in Sparks Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Sparks. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Sparks has decreased by 12%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 3.4%, while property crime has decreased by 13.6%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Sparks.

Potential Causes for Crime in Sparks

The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Sparks crime rates. In Sparks, the poverty rate stands at 9.2%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.

Law enforcement and community policing efforts can play a pivotal role in shaping crime rates. Establishing a robust and cooperative partnership between the police and the community can act as a deterrent to criminal behavior and enhance overall safety. In Sparks, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents differs from the national average, with 1.59 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents compared to 3.25 nationally. Effective law enforcement often hinges on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the community. It's not solely about the quantity of officers but also the quality of their engagement with the community.

High rent costs can create economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When a significant portion of one's income is spent on housing, there may be less money available for other essential needs such as food, healthcare and education. Economic stress can contribute to desperation and potentially lead individuals to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Average rent rates in Sparks are $1,244, compared to a national average of $949 per month.

Sparks crime map



The Sparks crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Sparks as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Sparks crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Sparks crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare Sparks, NV Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Sparks crime rates are 4% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Sparks are 13% higher than the national average
      • In Sparks you have a 1 in 42 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Sparks is safer than 24% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Sparks has decreased by 13%

      Sparks, NV Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Sparks

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        Daily Crime In Sparks (per 100,000 people)

        The bar chart above reveals the rate of daily crimes in Sparks for every 100,000 residents. The Sparks total amount of daily crime is 1.17 times less than the Nevada average and 1.04 times more than than that of the nation. As for violent crimes, the daily average in Sparks, is 1.09 times less than the Nevada average, and it is 1.13 times more than the national average. The statistics for property crimes show that Sparks has a daily crime average that is 1.18 times less than the Nevada average and 1.03 times more than the daily national rate.

        How Safe is Sparks (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of Sparks to every other city in Nevada, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Sparks safe? The gauges above illustrate that Sparks is safer than 42% of every city located within Nevada along with 24% of the all the cities located in the United States. The results of these graphs are created after analyzing each of the cities in Nevada and in the United States as a whole. As a result, Sparks, NV is ranked below average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Sparks

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Sparks is 1 in 240
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Sparks is 1 in 50
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Sparks is 1 in 42
        Are you worried about becoming a crime victim? In Sparks, your chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 240. Types of violent crimes may include assault, robbery, rape, or murder. You also have a 1 in 50 chance of being the victim of a property crime such as vehicle theft, personal property theft, and burglary. Your overall risk of becoming a crime victim in Sparks is 1 in 42.

        Year Over Year Crime In Sparks (per 100,000 people)

        The year over year crime rate per 100,000 people for Sparks is an accurate tool for tracking the rise and fall of crime, and in determining if living in Sparks has become safer or more dangerous. The year over year data displayed in the graph shows that violent crimes have decreased by 5% in Sparks, while property crimes in Sparks have decreased by 15%. Total crime has decreased by 13% year over year.

        Sparks police department

        Item Sparks Nevada National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)1476,127558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.62.73.3
        There are a total of 147 Sparks police officers. This results in 1.6 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 40.2% less than the Nevada average and 51.1% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Nevada

        State Total offenders Nevada /100K National /100K
        Nevada8,163394266
        There are a total of 8,163 sex offenders in Nevada. This yields a total of 394 sex offenders in Nevada per 100,000 residents which is 48% greater than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Mogul, NV1,30864334398
        Verdi, NV1,16166346412
        Golden Valley, NV1,085109571680
        Spanish Springs, NV15,8203231,6952,018
        Lemmon Valley, NV5,1834352,2792,714
        Cold Springs, NV10,7044472,3412,787
        Reno, NV250,9035722,5563,127
        Sparks, NV102,8954172,0112,429

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Las Cruces, NM102,9506175,3405,957
        South Bend, IN102,6864602,3192,779
        El Cajon, CA103,2494691,6092,078
        Burbank, CA103,4113102,7233,033
        Rialto, CA103,5495022,9033,405
        Sparks, NV102,8954172,0112,429
        Source: The Sparks, NV crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.