Sonora, California | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 37°59′4″N120°22′54″W / 37.98444°N 120.38167°W | |
Country | United States |
State | California |
County | Tuolumne |
Incorporated | February 15, 1850 [1] |
Government | |
• Mayor | Mark Plummer |
• City Administrator | Melissa Eads |
Area | |
• Total | 3.18 sq mi (8.23 km2) |
• Land | 3.16 sq mi (8.19 km2) |
• Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.04 km2) 0.45% |
Elevation | 1,796 ft (547 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 5,121 |
• Density | 1,600/sq mi (620/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
ZIP Codes | 95370, 95373 |
Area code | 209 |
FIPS code | 06-72674 |
GNIS feature IDs | 1659815, 2411930 |
Website | www |
Sonora is the county seat of Tuolumne County, California, United States. Founded during the California Gold Rush by Mexican miners from Sonora (after which the city is named), the city population was 5,121 during the 2020 Census, an increase from the 4,903 counted during the 2010 Census. [4]
Sonora is the only incorporated community in Tuolumne County.
Sonora was founded by Mexican miners during the California Gold Rush. Named after their home state of Sonora, Mexico, it was once a booming center of industry and trade in California's Mother Lode. Most of the gold that was removable with traditional mining techniques was quickly extracted, leaving miners to use more complex and expensive mining techniques to reach deep pockets of quartz and gold. Sonora as well as other mining towns of the era experienced economic hardship when the value of gold decreased. As "gold fever" died down, Sonora's size and population steadily decreased over the years. [5] In c. 1851, the Sonora Hebrew Cemetery was formed by the Hebrew Benevolent Society and predominately contains the graves of European-born Jews who emigrated to Gold Country. [6] [7]
As detailed in the 2005 memoir of novelist David Carkeet, Campus Sexpot, Sonora was fictionalized as "Wattsville", the setting of Dale Koby's cult/underground classic (also titled Campus Sexpot). [8] The sequel, From Roundheel To Revolutionary by Jeff Daiell, also takes place primarily in "Wattsville"/Sonora.
A local museum[ which? ] preserves the town's Gold Rush legacy.
Sonora is located at 37°59′04″N120°22′54″W / 37.984361°N 120.381767°W , [9] around the intersection of California State Highways 49 and 108 The altitude is 1,825 feet (556 m). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.1 square miles (8.0 km2), 99.55% of it land and 0.45% of it water.
There are an average of 75 days annually with highs of 90 °F (32 °C) or higher and an average of 65.5 days annually with lows of 32 °F (0 °C) or lower. The record high temperature was 113 °F (45.0 °C) on June 22, 1961, and July 15, 1972. The record low temperature was 8 °F (−13.3 °C) on December 9, 1972. [10]
Average annual rainfall is 32.79 inches (833 mm), almost all from November through April, although there are occasionally afternoon and evening thunderstorms in the summer months, which drift down from the Sierra Nevada. There are an average of 63.8 days annually with measurable precipitation. The wettest “rain year” has been from July 1982 to June 1983 with 60.29 inches (1,531.4 mm) and the driest from July 1975 to June 1976 with 15.26 inches (387.6 mm). [11] The most rainfall in one month was 21.69 inches (551 mm) in December 1955, including 7.10 inches (180.3 mm) on December 27, the record 24-hour rainfall. The most snowfall in one month was 30.5 inches (0.77 m) in January 1933. [12] The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is Csa (hot-summer Mediterranean climate). [13]
Climate data for Sonora, California, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1906–present | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 75 (24) | 78 (26) | 84 (29) | 92 (33) | 103 (39) | 113 (45) | 113 (45) | 110 (43) | 110 (43) | 100 (38) | 89 (32) | 81 (27) | 113 (45) |
Mean maximum °F (°C) | 68.4 (20.2) | 70.4 (21.3) | 75.5 (24.2) | 82.5 (28.1) | 91.6 (33.1) | 99.3 (37.4) | 102.7 (39.3) | 101.8 (38.8) | 98.1 (36.7) | 89.6 (32.0) | 77.5 (25.3) | 68.2 (20.1) | 104.4 (40.2) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 55.7 (13.2) | 58.2 (14.6) | 62.1 (16.7) | 66.7 (19.3) | 75.6 (24.2) | 85.3 (29.6) | 92.8 (33.8) | 91.9 (33.3) | 86.7 (30.4) | 76.2 (24.6) | 63.2 (17.3) | 55.1 (12.8) | 72.5 (22.5) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 44.3 (6.8) | 46.2 (7.9) | 49.5 (9.7) | 53.2 (11.8) | 60.6 (15.9) | 68.0 (20.0) | 74.8 (23.8) | 73.7 (23.2) | 68.8 (20.4) | 59.6 (15.3) | 49.8 (9.9) | 43.8 (6.6) | 57.7 (14.3) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 32.8 (0.4) | 34.2 (1.2) | 37.0 (2.8) | 39.7 (4.3) | 45.5 (7.5) | 50.8 (10.4) | 56.8 (13.8) | 55.5 (13.1) | 50.8 (10.4) | 43.0 (6.1) | 36.4 (2.4) | 32.4 (0.2) | 42.9 (6.1) |
Mean minimum °F (°C) | 23.9 (−4.5) | 25.7 (−3.5) | 28.3 (−2.1) | 30.7 (−0.7) | 36.1 (2.3) | 41.5 (5.3) | 49.8 (9.9) | 49.0 (9.4) | 42.4 (5.8) | 34.4 (1.3) | 27.6 (−2.4) | 23.6 (−4.7) | 21.5 (−5.8) |
Record low °F (°C) | 13 (−11) | 15 (−9) | 20 (−7) | 24 (−4) | 24 (−4) | 34 (1) | 36 (2) | 38 (3) | 35 (2) | 25 (−4) | 21 (−6) | 8 (−13) | 8 (−13) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 6.32 (161) | 5.50 (140) | 5.37 (136) | 3.03 (77) | 1.54 (39) | 0.34 (8.6) | 0.03 (0.76) | 0.07 (1.8) | 0.20 (5.1) | 1.64 (42) | 3.24 (82) | 5.51 (140) | 32.79 (833.26) |
Average snowfall inches (cm) | 2.3 (5.8) | 1.0 (2.5) | 0.5 (1.3) | 0.1 (0.25) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.7 (1.8) | 4.6 (11.65) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 10.3 | 9.7 | 9.7 | 6.4 | 3.9 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 3.7 | 7.1 | 10.0 | 63.8 |
Source 1: NOAA [10] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: National Weather Service [14] |
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1860 | 1,960 | — | |
1870 | 1,322 | −32.6% | |
1880 | 1,492 | 12.9% | |
1890 | 1,441 | −3.4% | |
1900 | 1,922 | 33.4% | |
1910 | 2,029 | 5.6% | |
1920 | 1,684 | −17.0% | |
1930 | 2,278 | 35.3% | |
1940 | 2,257 | −0.9% | |
1950 | 2,448 | 8.5% | |
1960 | 2,725 | 11.3% | |
1970 | 3,100 | 13.8% | |
1980 | 3,247 | 4.7% | |
1990 | 4,153 | 27.9% | |
2000 | 4,423 | 6.5% | |
2010 | 4,610 | 4.2% | |
2020 | 5,003 | 8.5% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [15] |
At the 2010 census Sonora had a population of 4,903. The population density was 1,593.0 inhabitants per square mile (615.1/km2). The racial makeup of Sonora was 4,402 (89.8%) White, 24 (0.5%) African American, 95 (1.9%) Native American, 79 (1.6%) Asian, 12 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 84 (1.7%) from other races, and 207 (4.2%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 542 people (11.1%). [16]
The census reported that 4,613 people (94.1% of the population) lived in households, 85 (1.7%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 205 (4.2%) were institutionalized.
There were 2,199 households, 562 (25.6%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 689 (31.3%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 308 (14.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 116 (5.3%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 192 (8.7%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 12 (0.5%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 881 households (40.1%) were one person and 312 (14.2%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.10. There were 1,113 families (50.6% of households); the average family size was 2.77.
The age distribution was 975 people (19.9%) under the age of 18, 526 people (10.7%) aged 18 to 24, 1,266 people (25.8%) aged 25 to 44, 1,324 people (27.0%) aged 45 to 64, and 812 people (16.6%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 39.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.
There were 2,463 housing units at an average density of 800.2 per square mile; of the occupied units, 898 (40.8%) were owner-occupied and 1,301 (59.2%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.6%; the rental vacancy rate was 8.6%. 1,960 people (40.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 2,653 people (54.1%) lived in rental housing units.
At the 2000 census, [17] there were 4,423 people in 2,051 households, including 1,046 families, in the city. The population density was 1,456.2 inhabitants per square mile (562.2/km2). There were 2,197 housing units at an average density of 723.3 per square mile (279.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.4% White, 0.7% African American, 1.5% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.0% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race comprise 8.4% of the population.
There were 2,051 households, 24.0% had children under the age of 18, 33.2% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.0% were non-families. 40.3% of households were made up of individuals, and 15% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.75.
The age distribution was 20.4% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 20.4% who were 65 or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.1 males.
The median household income was $28,858 and the median family income was $39,722. Males had a median income of $40,958 versus $26,111 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,248. 16.9% of the population and 10.9% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 22.8% of those under the age of 18 and 7.2% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
The area economy was historically based on the mining and timber industries, but now relies on tourism. [18] One of two active lumber mills in Tuolumne County was shut down in 2009, but reopened in July 2011. [19]
As a city close to Yosemite National Park, Sonora provides services to some of Yosemite's visitors. The city also benefits from its proximity to Railtown 1897 State Historic Park.
The city's schools include its namesake educational institutions Sonora Union High School [20] and Sonora Elementary School, [21] as well as Dario Cassina High [22] and the Foothill Horizons Outdoor School.
Columbia Community College is part of Yosemite Community College District (YCCD) which also includes Modesto Junior College. It is the sole college in Tuolumne County and offers two-year degrees. Individuals wishing to attend a university must commute 50 miles to University of California, Merced, or to California State University, Stanislaus, in Turlock.
Sonora uses a city council consisting of five council members, including the mayor. The city council appoints a city administrator to implement the council's policies and enforce ordinances. As of March 2020, the current mayor of Sonora is Matt Hawkins and the current city administrator is Melissa Eads. [23] [24]
In the California State Legislature, Sonora is in the 4th Senate District , represented by Democrat Marie Alvarado-Gil, [25] and in the 8th Assembly District , represented by Republican Jim Patterson. [26] [27]
In the United States House of Representatives, Sonora is in California's 5th congressional district , represented by Republican Tom McClintock. [28]
The newspaper of record for the Sonora area is The Union Democrat . [29]
The Tuolumne County Film Commission describes Sonora as "one of the country's most versatile locations", where more than "300 film[s] and television series" have been made. [30]
Local museums depict the Gold Rush era and historic Sonora.
The small town is home to two resident theatre companies. The community theatre Stage 3 [31] produces comedic and dramatic plays in its small space, often providing pre-show musical entertainment from local singers and groups. The professional theatre company Sierra Repertory Theatre [32] produces a variety of musicals and plays each year at two different theatre buildings, the East Sonora Theatre and the Fallon House Theatre in Columbia.
Sonora is also home to the Tuolumne County Arts Alliance. [33]
The pilot, and various scenes, of the television show Little House on the Prairie was filmed in Sonora. [34]
Tuolumne County, officially the County of Tuolumne, is a county located in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 census, the population was 55,620. The county seat and only incorporated city is Sonora.
Markleeville is a census-designated place (CDP) and the county seat of Alpine County, California, United States. The population was 191 at the 2020 census, down from 210 at the 2010 census.
Brawley is a city in Imperial County, California, United States within the Imperial Valley.
Mojave is an unincorporated community in Kern County, California, United States. Mojave is located 50 miles (80 km) east of Bakersfield, and 100 miles (161 km) north of Los Angeles, at an elevation of 2,762 feet (842 m). The town is located in the western region of the Mojave Desert, below and east of Oak Creek Pass and the Tehachapi Mountains. Mojave is on the Pacific Crest Trail.
Lakeport is an incorporated city and the county seat of Lake County, California. This city is 125 miles (201 km) northwest of Sacramento. Lakeport is on the western shore of Clear Lake, at an elevation of 1,355 feet (413 m). The population was 5,026 at the 2020 census, up from 4,753 at the 2010 census.
Yosemite Valley is a census-designated place (CDP) in Mariposa County, California, United States. It consists of the developed area of Yosemite Village and the other areas of the Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park. The population was 337 at the 2020 census.
Calistoga is a city in Napa County, California, United States. Located in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, the city had a population of 5,228 as of the 2020 census.
Chino is a city in the western end of San Bernardino County, California, United States, with Los Angeles County to its west and Orange County to its south in the Southern California region. Chino is adjacent to the more affluent Chino Hills. Chino's surroundings have long been a center of agriculture and dairy farming, providing milk products in Southern California and much of the southwestern United States. Chino's agricultural history dates back to the Spanish land grant forming Rancho Santa Ana del Chino. The area specialized in fruit orchards, row crops, and dairy.
Empire is a census-designated place (CDP) in Stanislaus County, California, United States. The population was 4,189 at the 2010 census, up from 3,903 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Modesto Metropolitan Statistical Area. Influenced by the Mexican culture, Empire is agriculturally active, and is home to the new Empire Community Park.
Waterford is the eighth largest city in Stanislaus County, California, United States. The population was 9,120 at the 2020 census, up from 8,456 as of the 2010 census. Waterford is part of the Modesto Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Weaverville is a census-designated place and the county seat of Trinity County, California, United States. Its population is 3,667 as of the 2020 census, up from 3,600 from the 2010 census.
Chinese Camp is a census-designated place (CDP) in Tuolumne County, California, United States. The population was 126 at the 2010 census, down from 146 at the 2000 census. It lies in the grassy foothills of the Sierra Nevada near the southern end of California's Gold Country.
East Sonora is a census-designated place (CDP) in Tuolumne County, California, United States. The population was 2,266 at the 2010 census, up from 2,078 at the 2000 census.
Groveland-Big Oak Flat is an unincorporated community and former census-designated place (CDP) in Tuolumne County, California, United States. The population was 3,388 at the 2000 census. This CDP included the communities of Groveland, Big Oak Flat and Pine Mountain Lake (PML).
Jamestown is a census-designated place (CDP) in Tuolumne County, California, United States. The population was 3,433 at the 2010 census, up from 3,017 at the 2000 census. Formerly a California Gold Rush town, Jamestown is a California Historical Landmark since March 16, 1949. It is the home of Railtown 1897 State Historic Park and the Sierra Railway, which operates steam passenger trains.
Mi-Wuk Village is a census-designated place (CDP) in Tuolumne County, California, United States. The population was 941 at the 2010 census, down from 1,485 at the 2000 census. It was named after the Miwok Indians by the real estate developer and promoter Harry Hoeffler in 1955.
Tuolumne City is an unincorporated town in Tuolumne County, California. A census-designated place (CDP) officially known as Tuolumne also encompasses the town. The population of the CDP was 1,779 at the 2010 census, down from 1,865 at the 2000 census.
Gold Beach is a city in and the county seat of Curry County, Oregon, United States, on the Oregon Coast. The population was 2,241 at the 2020 census.
Groveland is a census-designated place (CDP) in Tuolumne County, California. Groveland sits at an elevation of 3,136 feet (956 m). The 2020 United States census reported Groveland's population was 540.
Long Barn is a census-designated place (CDP) in Tuolumne County, California. Long Barn sits at an elevation of 5,043 feet (1,537 m). The 2010 United States census reported Long Barn's population was 155.