Sonora, California

City in California, United States

Not to be confused with Sonoma, California.

City in California, United States

Sonora, California

City

The county courthouse

Location in Tuolumne County and the state of California

Sonora, California

Location in the United States

Coordinates: 37°59′34″N 120°22′48″W﻿ / ﻿37.99278°N 120.38000°W﻿ / 37.99278; -120.38000
Country| United States
State| California
County| Tuolumne
Incorporated| February 15, 1850[1]
Area

[2]

• 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

[3]

| 1,828 ft (557 m)
Population

(2020)[4]

• Total

| 5,003
• Density| 1,600/sq mi (610/km2)
Time zone| UTC−8 (Pacific)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP Codes|

95370, 95373

Area code| 209
FIPS code| 06-72674
GNIS feature ID| 2411930[3]
Website| www.sonoraca.com

Sonora is the only incorporated city in Tuolumne County, California, United States, of which it is also the county seat. Founded during the California Gold Rush by Mexican miners from Sonora (after which the city is named), the city population was 5,003 during the 2020 census, an increase from the 4,610 counted during the 2010 census.[5]

## History

[edit]

Teresa Salas, a Californio socialite, was an important figure in early Sonora society[citation needed]

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 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.[6] In c. 1851, the Sonora Hebrew Cemetery was formed by the Hebrew Benevolent Society and predominantly contains the graves of European-born Jews who emigrated to Gold Country.[7][8]

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).[9] The sequel, From Roundheel To Revolutionary by 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 49 along North Washington Street

Sonora is located 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 covers a total area of 3.1 square miles (8.0 km2), making it the county's largest community by land area. 99.55% of the area is land and 0.45% of it is 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 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]

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population 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]
1850–1870[16][17] 1880–1890[18]
1900[19] 1910[20] 1920[21]
1930[22] 1940[23] 1950[24]
1960[25] 1970[26] 1980[27]
1990[28] 2000[29] 2010[30]

### 2020

[edit]

Downtown Sonora during the winter

The 2020 United States census reported that Sonora had a population of 5,003. The population density was 1,581.7 inhabitants per square mile (610.7/km2). The racial makeup of Sonora was 80.0% White, 0.5% African American, 1.6% Native American, 3.0% Asian, 0.4% Pacific Islander, 3.4% from other races, and 11.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.1% of the population.[31]

The census reported that 97.8% of the population lived in households, 0.7% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 1.5% were institutionalized.[31]

There were 2,301 households, out of which 26.8% included children under the age of 18, 30.2% were married-couple households, 9.4% were cohabiting couple households, 38.0% had a female householder with no partner present, and 22.3% had a male householder with no partner present. 39.1% of households were one person, and 16.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.13.[31] There were 1,163 families (50.5% of all households).[32]

The age distribution was 18.8% under the age of 18, 8.4% aged 18 to 24, 26.9% aged 25 to 44, 24.1% aged 45 to 64, and 21.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.6 males.[31]

There were 2,515 housing units at an average density of 795.1 units per square mile (307.0 units/km2), of which 2,301 (91.5%) were occupied. Of these, 42.0% were owner-occupied, and 58.0% were occupied by renters.[31]

In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $62,621, and the per capita income was $39,503. About 17.4% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line.[33]

### 2010

[edit]

St. James Episcopal Church

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%).[34]

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.

## Economy and tourism

[edit]

The historic Mission Revival–style Sonora Inn, built in 1896

The area economy was historically based on the mining and timber industries, but now relies on tourism.[35] One of two active lumber mills in Tuolumne County was shut down in 2009, but reopened in July 2011.[36]

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 and Columbia State Park.

## Education

[edit]

The city's schools include its namesake educational institutions Sonora Union High School[37] and Sonora Elementary School,[38] as well as Dario Cassina High[39] 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.

## 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.[40][41]

In the California State Legislature, Sonora is in the 4th senatorial district, represented by Republican Marie Alvarado-Gil,[42] and in the 8th Assembly district, represented by Republican David Tangipa.[43][44]

In the United States House of Representatives, Sonora is in California's 5th congressional district, represented by Republican Tom McClintock.[45]

## Culture and arts

[edit]

See also: List of films shot in Sonora, California

The historic City Hotel, built in 1852

The newspaper of record for the Sonora area is The Union Democrat.[46]

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.[47]

Local museums depict the Gold Rush era and historic Sonora.

The small town is home to the professional theatre company Sierra Repertory Theatre[48] 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.[49]

The pilot, and various scenes, of the television show Little House on the Prairie was filmed in Sonora.[50]

## Notable people

[edit]

* Vaughn Armstrong – actor
* Melvin Belli – attorney
* David Carkeet \- writer
* Jack Cassinetto – painter
* Phil Coke – MLB pitcher
* Molly Culver \- actress
* Charles Dellschau – artist
* T.J. Dillashaw \- UFC Bantamweight Champion
* Ross Dwelley \- NFL tight end
* Larry Franco \- film producer
* James P. Hogan – writer
* Jenny O'Hara – actress
* Josh Parry \- NFL fullback
* Dan Pastorini – NFL quarterback
* Francis "Rocco" Prestia \- bassist of Tower of Power
* Tata Vega \- Entertainer
* Kahale Warring \- NFL Tight End

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "California Cities by Incorporation Date". California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions. Archived from the original (Word) on February 21, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
2. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
3. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Sonora, California
4. ^ "US Census Bureau". www.census.gov. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
5. ^ "QuickFacts - Sonora city, California". Census.gov. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
6. ^ "A Short History - City of Sonora". City of Sonora. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
7. ^ Ricapito, Giuseppe (July 17, 2021). "Sonora Hebrew Cemetery hosts final burial for Holocaust survivor". The Union Democrat. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
8. ^ 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. ISBN 978-0943376622.
9. ^ Carkeet, David (2005). Campus Sexpot: A Memoir. University of Georgia Press. ISBN 9780820330761.
10. ^ a b "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Sonora, CA". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
11. ^ National Weather Service (Sacramento); NOW Data
12. ^ "SONORA, CALIFORNIA - Climate Summary". dri.edu. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
13. ^ "Sonora, California Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
14. ^ "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Sacramento". National Weather Service. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
15. ^ "Decennial Census by Decade". United States Census Bureau.
16. ^ "1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Almeda County to Sutter County" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
17. ^ "1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Tehama County to Yuba County" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
18. ^ "1890 Census of Population - Population of California by Minor Civil Divisions" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
19. ^ "1900 Census of Population - Population of California by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
20. ^ "1910 Census of Population - Supplement for California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
21. ^ "1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
22. ^ "1930 Census of Population - Number and Distribution of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
23. ^ "1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
24. ^ "1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
25. ^ "1960 Census of Population - General population Characteristics - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
26. ^ "1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
27. ^ "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
28. ^ "1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
29. ^ "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
30. ^ "2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
31. ^ a b c d e "Sonora city, California; DP1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics - 2020 Census of Population and Housing". US Census Bureau. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
32. ^ "Sonora city, California; P16: Household Type - 2020 Census of Population and Housing". US Census Bureau. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
33. ^ "Sonora city, California; DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles". US Census Bureau. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
34. ^ "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Sonora city". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
35. ^ "Membership benefits". Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce. 2011. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved July 13, 2011.
36. ^ Nichols, Dana M (July 10, 2011). "Retooled lumber mill back in business". Dow Jones Local Media Group, Inc. Retrieved July 13, 2011.
37. ^ "Sonora Union High - School Directory Details (CA Dept of Education)". www.cde.ca.gov. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
38. ^ "Sonora Elementary - School Directory Details (CA Dept of Education)". www.cde.ca.gov. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
39. ^ "Dario Cassina High - School Directory Details (CA Dept of Education)". www.cde.ca.gov. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
40. ^ "Sonora's City Council - City of Sonora". City of Sonora. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
41. ^ "City Administrator - City of Sonora". City of Sonora. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
42. ^ "Senate District 4".
43. ^ "District Map - AD08 | PATTERSON". November 12, 2021.
44. ^ "Statewide Database". UC Regents. Archived from the original on February 1, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
45. ^ "California's 5th Congressional District - CA-05 Representatives & District Map".
46. ^ AbDivine, The Union Democrat. "About Us". uniondemocrat.com. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
47. ^ "Home page". Tuolumne County Film Commission. Archived from the original on October 12, 2010. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
48. ^ "Sierra Repertory Theatre". sierrarep.org. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
49. ^ "Imagine". Retrieved August 4, 2015.
50. ^ LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE Reunion | Stars in the House, Thursday, 3/18 at 8PM, retrieved March 20, 2021

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sonora, California.

* Official website

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Municipalities and communities of Tuolumne County, California, United States

County seat: Sonora

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Sierra Nevada

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|
|

Northern peaks|

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areas|

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and monuments|

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|

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* Sacatar Trail
* Sequoia-Kings Canyon
* Yosemite

State parks|

* Burton Creek
* Calaveras Big Trees
* D. L. Bliss
* Donner Memorial
* Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point
* Emerald Bay
* Grover Hot Springs
* Lake Tahoe Nevada
* Plumas-Eureka
* South Yuba River
* Van Sickle

Communities|

* Angels Camp
* Auburn
* Bridgeport
* Chester
* Colfax
* Grass Valley
* Incline Village
* Jackson
* Kernville
* Loyalton
* Mammoth Lakes
* Mariposa
* Markleeville
* Nevada City
* Oakhurst
* Paradise
* Placerville
* Portola
* Quincy
* San Andreas
* Sonora
* South Lake Tahoe
* Susanville
* Sutter Creek
* Tahoe City
* Tehachapi
* Truckee

Ski areas|

* Alpine Meadows
* Badger Pass
* Bear Valley
* Boreal
* China Peak
* Dodge Ridge
* Donner Ski Ranch
* Heavenly
* Homewood
* June Mountain
* Kirkwood
* Mammoth Mountain
* Northstar
* Sierra at Tahoe
* Palisades Tahoe
* Sugar Bowl
* Tahoe Donner

Trails|

* High Sierra Trail
* John Muir Trail
* Pacific Crest Trail
* Sierra High Route

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* Germany
* United States
* Israel

Geographic|

* MusicBrainz area

Other|

* IdRef
* NARA
* Yale LUX

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*[Pop.]: Population
*[%±]: Percent change
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