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Sonora, California

Coordinates:37°59′4″N120°22′54″W/ 37.98444°N 120.38167°W/37.98444; -120.38167
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused withSonoma, California.

Sonora, California
City
The county courthouse
The county courthouse
Location in Tuolumne County and the state of California
Location inTuolumne Countyand the state ofCalifornia
Sonora, California is located in the United States
Sonora, California
Sonora, California
Location in the United States
Coordinates:37°59′4″N120°22′54″W/ 37.98444°N 120.38167°W/37.98444; -120.38167
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CountyTuolumne
IncorporatedFebruary 15, 1850[1]
Government
•MayorMark Plummer
•City AdministratorMelissa Eads
Area
[2]
• Total3.18 sq mi (8.23 km2)
• Land3.16 sq mi (8.19 km2)
• Water0.01 sq mi (0.04 km2) 0.45%
Elevation
[3]
1,796 ft (547 m)
Population
(2020)
• Total5,121
• Density1,600/sq mi (620/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8(Pacific)
• Summer (DST)UTC−7(PDT)
ZIP Codes
95370, 95373
Area code209
FIPScode06-72674
GNISfeature IDs1659815,2411930
Websitewww.sonoraca.com

Sonorais thecounty seatofTuolumne County, California,United States. Founded during theCalifornia Gold Rushby Mexican miners fromSonora(after which the city is named), the city population was 5,121 during the2020 Census,an increase from the 4,903 counted during the2010 Census.[4]

Sonora is the onlyincorporatedcommunity in Tuolumne County.

History[edit]

Teresa Salas, aCaliforniosocialite, was an important figure in early Sonora society.

Sonora was founded by Mexican miners during theCalifornia Gold Rush.Named after their home state ofSonora,Mexico,it was once a booming center of industry and trade in California'sMother Lode.Most of the gold that was removable withtraditional miningtechniques 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]Inc. 1851,theSonora Hebrew Cemeterywas 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 novelistDavid Carkeet,Campus Sexpot,Sonora was fictionalized as "Wattsville", the setting of Dale Koby's cult/underground classic (also titledCampus Sexpot).[8]The sequel,From Roundheel To Revolutionaryby Jeff Daiell, also takes place primarily in "Wattsville" /Sonora.

The Tuolumne County Museum and History Center preserves the town's Gold Rush legacy.

Geography[edit]

California State Highway 49along North Washington Street

Sonora is located at37°59′04″N120°22′54″W/ 37.984361°N 120.381767°W/37.984361; -120.381767,[9]around the intersection ofCalifornia State Highways 49and108The altitude is 1,825 feet (556 m). According to theUnited 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.

Climate[edit]

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 theSierra 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]TheKöppen Climate Classificationsubtype for this climate isCsa(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)
Averageprecipitationinches (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]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18601,960—
18701,322−32.6%
18801,49212.9%
18901,441−3.4%
19001,92233.4%
19102,0295.6%
19201,684−17.0%
19302,27835.3%
19402,257−0.9%
19502,4488.5%
19602,72511.3%
19703,10013.8%
19803,2474.7%
19904,15327.9%
20004,4236.5%
20104,6104.2%
20205,0038.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[15]

2010[edit]

Downtown Sonora during the winter

At the2010 censusSonora 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%) wereopposite-sex married couplesliving 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.

2000[edit]

St. James Episcopal Church

At the2000 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 thepoverty 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.

Economy and tourism[edit]

The historicMission Revival–style Sonora Inn, built in 1896

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 toYosemite National Park,Sonora provides services to some of Yosemite's visitors. The city also benefits from its proximity toRailtown 1897 State Historic ParkandColumbia State Park.

Education[edit]

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 theFoothill Horizons Outdoor School.

Columbia Community Collegeis 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 toUniversity of California, Merced,or toCalifornia State University, Stanislaus,inTurlock.

Government and politics[edit]

Tuolumne County Courthouse

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 June 2024, the current mayor of Sonora is Mark Plummer and the current city administrator is Melissa Eads.[23][24]

In theCalifornia State Legislature,Sonora is inthe 4th Senate District,represented byDemocratMarie Alvarado-Gil,[25]and inthe 8th Assembly District,represented byRepublicanJim Patterson.[26][27]

In theUnited States House of Representatives,Sonora is inCalifornia's 5th congressional district,represented byRepublicanTom McClintock.[28]

Culture and arts[edit]

See also:List of films shot in Sonora, California
The historicCity Hotel,built in 1852

The newspaper of record for the Sonora area isThe 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 the professional theatre company Sierra Repertory Theatre[31]that 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.[32]

The pilot, and various scenes, of the television showLittle House on the Prairiewas filmed in Sonora.[33]

Notable people[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^"California Cities by Incorporation Date".California Association ofLocal Agency Formation Commissions.Archived fromthe original(Word)on February 21, 2013.RetrievedAugust 25,2014.
  2. ^"2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJuly 1,2020.
  3. ^"Sonora".Geographic Names Information System.United States Geological Survey,United States Department of the Interior.RetrievedNovember 5,2014.
  4. ^"QuickFacts - Sonora city, California".Census.gov.RetrievedJune 14,2022.
  5. ^"A Short History - City of Sonora".City of Sonora.RetrievedOctober 30,2017.
  6. ^Ricapito, Giuseppe (July 17, 2021)."Sonora Hebrew Cemetery hosts final burial for Holocaust survivor".The Union Democrat.RetrievedOctober 13,2022.
  7. ^Levinson, Robert E. (1994).The Jews in the California Gold Rush.Commission for the Preservation of Pioneer Jewish Cemeteries and Landmarks,Judah L. Magnes Museum.ISBN978-0943376622.
  8. ^Carkeet, David (2005).Campus Sexpot: A Memoir.University of Georgia Press.ISBN9780820330761.
  9. ^"US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990".United States Census Bureau.February 12, 2011.RetrievedApril 23,2011.
  10. ^ab "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Sonora, CA".National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedMay 23,2023.
  11. ^National Weather Service(Sacramento);NOW Data
  12. ^"SONORA, CALIFORNIA - Climate Summary".dri.edu.RetrievedAugust 4,2015.
  13. ^"Sonora, California Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)".Weatherbase.RetrievedAugust 4,2015.
  14. ^ "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Sacramento".National Weather Service.RetrievedMay 23,2023.
  15. ^"Census of Population and Housing".Census.gov.RetrievedJune 4,2015.
  16. ^"2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Sonora city".U.S. Census Bureau. Archived fromthe originalon July 15, 2014.RetrievedJuly 12,2014.
  17. ^"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJanuary 31,2008.
  18. ^"Membership benefits".Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce. 2011. Archived fromthe originalon June 5, 2011.RetrievedJuly 13,2011.
  19. ^Nichols, Dana M (July 10, 2011)."Retooled lumber mill back in business".Dow Jones Local Media Group, Inc.RetrievedJuly 13,2011.
  20. ^"Sonora Union High - School Directory Details (CA Dept of Education)".www.cde.ca.gov.RetrievedFebruary 18,2019.
  21. ^"Sonora Elementary - School Directory Details (CA Dept of Education)".www.cde.ca.gov.RetrievedFebruary 18,2019.
  22. ^"Dario Cassina High - School Directory Details (CA Dept of Education)".www.cde.ca.gov.RetrievedFebruary 18,2019.
  23. ^"Sonora's City Council - City of Sonora".City of Sonora.RetrievedMarch 31,2020.
  24. ^"City Administrator - City of Sonora".City of Sonora.RetrievedMarch 31,2020.
  25. ^"Senate District 4".
  26. ^"District Map - AD08 | PATTERSON".November 12, 2021.
  27. ^"Statewide Database".UC Regents. Archived fromthe originalon February 1, 2015.RetrievedNovember 29,2014.
  28. ^"California's 5th Congressional District - CA-05 Representatives & District Map".
  29. ^AbDivine, The Union Democrat."About Us".uniondemocrat.com.RetrievedAugust 4,2015.
  30. ^"Home page".Tuolumne County Film Commission. Archived fromthe originalon October 12, 2010.RetrievedMay 7,2010.
  31. ^"Sierra Repertory Theatre".sierrarep.org.RetrievedAugust 4,2015.
  32. ^"Imagine".RetrievedAugust 4,2015.
  33. ^LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE Reunion | Stars in the House, Thursday, 3/18 at 8PM,retrievedMarch 20,2021

External links[edit]

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