Sparkman, Arkansas

{{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox settlement | official_name = Sparkman, Arkansas | settlement_type = City | image_skyline = | imagesize = | image_caption = | image_seal = | image_map = File:Dallas County Arkansas Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Sparkman Highlighted 0565900.svg | mapsize = 250px | map_caption = Location of Sparkman in Dallas County, Arkansas. | image_map1 = | mapsize1 = | map_caption1 = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_type2 = County | subdivision_name = {{USA}} | subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Arkansas}} | subdivision_name2 = Dallas | government_type = | leader_title = | leader_name = | established_date = | unit_pref = Imperial | area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_05.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 29, 2021}}</ref> | area_total_km2 = 3.34 | area_total_sq_mi = 1.29 | area_land_km2 = 3.34 | area_land_sq_mi = 1.29 | area_water_km2 = 0.00 | area_water_sq_mi = 0.00 | elevation_ft = 174 | elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> | population_as_of = 2020 | population_footnotes = | population_total = 355 | population_metro = | population_density_km2 = 106.19 | population_density_sq_mi = 274.98 | population_est = 330 {{loss}} | pop_est_as_of = 2025 | pop_est_footnotes = <ref name="Vintage 2025 Total Population Estimates for Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions; Housing Unit Estimates for the Nation, States and Counties">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-kits/2026/vintage-2025-city-town-pop-estimates.html|title=Vintage 2025 Total Population Estimates for Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions; Housing Unit Estimates for the Nation, States and Counties|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=May 19, 2026}}</ref> | timezone = Central (CST) | utc_offset = -6 | coordinates = {{coord|33|55|02|N|92|51|00|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}} | timezone_DST = CDT | utc_offset_DST = -5 | postal_code_type = ZIP code | postal_code = 71763 | area_code = 870 | blank_name = FIPS code | blank_info = 05-65900 | blank1_name = GNIS feature ID | blank1_info = 2405501<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2405501}}</ref> | footnotes = | website = }}

'''Sparkman''' is a city in Dallas County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 355 at the 2020 census, down from 427 in 2010.

==History== Sparkman was established between 1911 and 1913 and was named after sawmill owner Lemuel "Pete" Sparkman. In 1915, the ''Sparkman News'' was established, Sparkman's first election was held, and electricity was installed. The first school in Sparkman was a two-story building with an enrollment of 132. H.O. Theatt was the first principal, with Miss Ethel Fite and Miss Ella Adams being the first teachers.

A Baptist church was organized in 1914, with Methodist and A.M.E. churches organizing in 1916.

==Geography== Sparkman is located in western Dallas County. Arkansas Highway 128 passes through the center of town as Main Street and leads southeast {{Convert|11|mi}} to Highway 9 at Holly Springs. Arkansas Highway 7 passes through the west side of Sparkman, leading north (with Highway 128) {{convert|10|mi|0}} to Highway 8 at Dalark and south {{convert|27|mi}} to Camden.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Sparkman has a total area of {{convert|1.3|sqmi|km2}}, all land.

===Climate=== The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Sparkman has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=867630&cityname=Sparkman%2C+Arkansas%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Sparkman, Arkansas]</ref>

{{Weather box | width = auto | collapsed = yes | single line = yes | location = Sparkman, Arkansas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1963–2020) | Jan record high F = 81 | Feb record high F = 95 | Mar record high F = 90 | Apr record high F = 94 | May record high F = 99 | Jun record high F = 104 | Jul record high F = 108 | Aug record high F = 110 | Sep record high F = 109 | Oct record high F = 95 | Nov record high F = 85 | Dec record high F = 79 | year record high F =

| Jan record low F = -10 | Feb record low F = 10 | Mar record low F = 11 | Apr record low F = 24 | May record low F = 32 | Jun record low F = 41 | Jul record low F = 52 | Aug record low F = 48 | Sep record low F = 34 | Oct record low F = 22 | Nov record low F = 10 | Dec record low F = -4 | year record low F = | precipitation colour = green | Jan precipitation inch = 4.43 | Feb precipitation inch = 4.73 | Mar precipitation inch = 5.64 | Apr precipitation inch = 5.89 | May precipitation inch = 6.26 | Jun precipitation inch = 3.94 | Jul precipitation inch = 3.88 | Aug precipitation inch = 3.25 | Sep precipitation inch = 3.56 | Oct precipitation inch = 4.86 | Nov precipitation inch = 4.24 | Dec precipitation inch = 5.51 | year precipitation inch = 56.19 | unit precipitation days = 0.01 in | Jan precipitation days = 7.8 | Feb precipitation days = 9.1 | Mar precipitation days = 8.8 | Apr precipitation days = 8.4 | May precipitation days = 8.5 | Jun precipitation days = 7.0 | Jul precipitation days = 7.3 | Aug precipitation days = 6.3 | Sep precipitation days = 5.7 | Oct precipitation days = 6.4 | Nov precipitation days = 8.0 | Dec precipitation days = 8.4 | year precipitation days = 91.7 | Jan snow inch = 0.8 | Feb snow inch = 0.4 | Mar snow inch = 0.4 | Apr snow inch = 0.0 | May snow inch = 0.0 | Jun snow inch = 0.0 | Jul snow inch = 0.0 | Aug snow inch = 0.0 | Sep snow inch = 0.0 | Oct snow inch = 0.0 | Nov snow inch = 0.0 | Dec snow inch = 0.0 | year snow inch = 1.6 | unit snow days = 0.1 in | Jan snow days = 0.2 | Feb snow days = 0.3 | Mar snow days = 0.2 | Apr snow days = 0.0 | May snow days = 0.0 | Jun snow days = 0.0 | Jul snow days = 0.0 | Aug snow days = 0.0 | Sep snow days = 0.0 | Oct snow days = 0.0 | Nov snow days = 0.0 | Dec snow days = 0.0 | year snow days = 0.7 | source = NOAA<ref name="NOWData">{{cite web |url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=lzk |title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date = November 23, 2023}}</ref><ref name="NCEI">{{cite web |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00036768&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL |title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020 |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date = November 23, 2023}}</ref> }}

==Demographics== {{US Census population | 1920 = 561 | 1930 = 711 | 1940 = 840 | 1950 = 964 | 1960 = 787 | 1970 = 663 | 1980 = 622 | 1990 = 553 | 2000 = 586 | 2010 = 427 | 2020 = 355 | estyear = 2025 | estimate = 330 | estref = {{decrease}} | footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US0565900| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Sparkman city, Arkansas| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=October 13, 2015}}{{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> }}

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 427 people living in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 55.3% White, 38.4% Black and 1.4% from two or more races. 4.9% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

As of the census<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 586 people, 237 households, and 167 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|451.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 291 housing units at an average density of {{convert|224.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 50.85% White, 42.15% Black or African American, 0.34% Native American, 6.48% from other races, and 0.17% from two or more races. 6.83% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 237 households, out of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 18.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.6% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,208, and the median income for a family was $32,875. Males had a median income of $26,875 versus $20,795 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,492. About 14.0% of families and 21.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.4% of those under age 18 and 18.6% of those age 65 or over.

==Education== Harmony Grove School District of Ouachita County operates local public schools.

Sparkman Elementary School and Sparkman High School with an enrollment of less than 200 pupils K-12 are in the community. Sparkman athletics teams are known as the Raiders. They compete at the 1A level in girls and boys basketball, baseball, and softball. Sparkman had a football team until they consolidated in 2004. They were very competitive for many years in which they played in state playoff games, sometimes with only 16 players.{{Citation needed|date=May 2018}}

The community was previously in the Sparkman School District. On July 1, 2004, it consolidated into the Harmony Grove district.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20150912013154/http://www.arkansased.gov/public/userfiles/Legal/ConsolidationAnnex_from_1983.xls ConsolidationAnnex_from_1983.xls]." Arkansas Department of Education. Retrieved on May 23, 2018.</ref>

==Notable people== * Bonnie Brown (born 1937), musician<ref>{{cite web|url=http://countrymusichalloffame.org/artists/artist-detail/the-browns|title=The Browns - Country Music Hall of Fame|work=countrymusichalloffame.org}}</ref> * Jim Ed Brown (born 1934), musician<ref>{{cite web|url=http://countrymusichalloffame.org/newsandupdates/posts/country-music-hall-of-fame-inductee-jim-ed-brown-has-died|title=Grand Ole Opry Star And Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee Jim Ed Brown Has Died - Country Music Hall of Fame|work=countrymusichalloffame.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?search=1&entryID=5419|title=Jim Ed Brown (1934 – 2015) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas|encyclopedia=encyclopediaofarkansas.net}}</ref> * The Browns, entertainers, Country Music Hall of Fame<ref>{{cite web|url=http://countrymusichalloffame.org/contentpages/jim-ed-brown-and-the-browns|title=Jim Ed Brown and the Browns - Country Music Hall of Fame|work=countrymusichalloffame.org|access-date=August 23, 2015|archive-date=March 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327233812/http://countrymusichalloffame.org/contentpages/jim-ed-brown-and-the-browns|url-status=dead}}</ref> * John Edward Taylor (born 1921), military archivist<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/24/us/24taylor1.html|title=John Taylor, 87, Specialist on Military at Archives, Is Dead - The New York Times|work=The New York Times}}</ref> * Samuel Woodrow Williams (born 1912), Civil Rights activist, professor of philosophy and religion<ref>{{cite thesis |last=Wells |first=Rosa Marie |date=1975 |title=Samuel Woodrow Williams, Catalyst for Black Atlantans, 1946-1970|url=https://radar.auctr.edu/islandora/object/cau.td:1975_wells_rosa_m }}</ref>

==Points of interest== * Sardis Methodist Church * Tate's Bluff Fortification * Long Lake and Round Lake

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * National Register of Historic Places listings in Dallas County, Arkansas

Category:Cities in Dallas County, Arkansas Category:Cities in Arkansas