Sonoma County and Sonoma City in California

Sonoma California Real Estate,Vacation ,Tourism and City Information Center

Sonoma County is world-famous as a wine growing region.

Sonoma County - History
Sonoma County was one of the original counties of California, created in 1850 at the time of statehood.

Sonoma is a Chocuyen Indian name translated by some as "Valley of the Moon" and by others as "land or tribe of the Chief Nose."

Sonoma County - Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,580 km² (1,768 mi²). 4,082 km² (1,576 mi²) of it is land and 498 km² (192 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 10.88% water.

Sonoma County - Demographics

As of the census2 of 2000, there are 458,614 people, 172,403 households, and 112,406 families residing in the county. The population density is 112/km² (291/mi²). There are 183,153 housing units at an average density of 45/km² (116/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 81.60% White, 1.42% Black or African American, 1.18% Native American, 3.07% Asian, 0.20% Pacific Islander, 8.44% from other races, and 4.09% from two or more races. 17.34% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 172,403 households out of which 31.90% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.30% are married couples living together, 10.40% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.80% are non-families. 25.70% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.00% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.60 and the average family size is 3.12.

In the county the population is spread out with 24.50% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.60% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $53,076, and the median income for a family is $61,921. Males have a median income of $42,035 versus $32,022 for females. The per capita income for the county is $25,724. 8.10% of the population and 4.70% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 8.40% of those under the age of 18 and 5.70% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Sonoma County - Cities and towns:

Asti
Bodega Bay
Boyes Hot Springs
Cazadero
Cloverdale
Cotati
El Verano
Eldridge
Fetters Hot Springs-Agua Caliente
Forestville
Glen Ellen
Graton
Guerneville
Healdsburg
Larkfield-Wikiup
Mercuryville
Monte Rio
Occidental
Petaluma
Rohnert Park
Roseland
Santa Rosa
Sebastopol
Sonoma
Temelec
Windsor

Sonoma County Winemakers:

Benziger Family Winery
Buena Vista
Chateau Souverain
Chateau St. Jean
Clos Du Bois Wines
Deerfield Ranch Winery
Frei Brothers Winery
Gallo of Sonoma Winery
Hartford Court
Imagery Estates
Inman Family Wines
J Vineyards & Winery
Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates
Kenwood Vineyards
La Crema Winery
Matanzas Creek Winery
Rancho Zabaco Winery
Ravenswood Winery
Rosenblum Cellars
Russian Hill Estate Wines
Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery
St. Francis Vineyard and Winery
Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards
Stonestreet Winery
Valley of the Moon Winery
White Oak Vineyards

Sonoma County - Interesting places to visit

Sonoma county has a very beautiful coast line, alternating with cliffs and beaches.

Sonoma County Beaches

Goat Rock beach is the most beautiful among the lot. The Russian River joins the Pacific Ocean at this beach.
Sonoma Lake Recreational area
Bodega Bay
Luther Burbank Home and Gardens in Santa Rosa *
Fort Ross, former Russian fur trade outpost *
Jack London Home, Beauty Ranch, in Glen Ellen *
Petaluma Adobe, Petaluma *
Sonoma Plaza, Sonoma *
*National Historic Landmark

Sonoma is a town located in Sonoma County, California, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 9,128.

Sonoma City Geography
Sonoma is located at 38°17'20" North, 122°27'32" West (38.288771, -122.458884)1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.9 km² (2.7 mi²). 6.9 km² (2.7 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.

Sonoma City California - Info
Sonoma is very small, two square mile (5 km²), town centered around the beautiful "Town Square" which may be viewed from scenes in the movie The Animal. Sonoma's real 'claim to fame' is its fine restaurants and wine production.

The atmosphere of Sonoma is felt for miles around the town. To towns as far as Glen Ellen. From the point of view of a Sonoma resident Glen Ellen provides a much "fresher" scenery surrounded by vineyards and wineries.

Sonoma City California - Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 9,128 people, 4,373 households, and 2,361 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,329.9/km² (3,442.3/mi²). There are 4,671 housing units at an average density of 680.6/km² (1,761.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 93.80% White, 0.36% African American, 0.34% Native American, 1.70% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.61% from other races, and 2.14% from two or more races. 6.85% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. These demographics do appropriately represent the Latino community outside of the technical city limits. The Latino community helps Sonoma strive from grape production, which would be impossible without them.

There are 4,373 households out of which 21.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% are married couples living together, 8.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 46.0% are non-families. 39.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 21.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.07 and the average family size is 2.77.

In the city the population is spread out with 18.6% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 28.9% from 45 to 64, and 24.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 47 years. For every 100 females there are 81.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 77.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $50,505, and the median income for a family is $65,600. Males have a median income of $51,831 versus $40,276 for females. The per capita income for the city is $32,387. 3.7% of the population and 2.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 3.3% of those under the age of 18 and 4.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Sonoma City California - History
Sonoma is known as the birthplace of California, for it was in the town square of Sonoma where the Bear Flag was first raised 14 Jun 1846. Sonoma served as the capital of the short lived California Republic. Sonoma is the location of Mission San Francisco Solano, the last and northernmost of the 21 California missions. The Plaza is a National Historic Landmark.

Sonoma is also considered the birthplace of the wine making in California, going back to the original vinyards of Augosto Hrathzy, the father of California viticulture.

Sonoma California - Notable Residents
Jack London claimed that Sonoma meant "Valley of the Moon". This phrase is still used to reference the town.