Comprehensive information and links about California Sonoma

Sonoma is a town located in Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 9,128. Sonoma is centered around its historic town plaza, a remnant of the town's Spanish colonial past. Present day Sonoma is the center of the popular Sonoma Valley wine industry and the home of Infineon Raceway.

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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.

of 2000, there are 9,128 people, 4,373 households, and 2,361 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,329.9mi²). 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.

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.

was founded in 1835 by Comandante General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, who was assigned the task of secularizing Mission San Francisco Solano and of keeping an eye on the Russians at Fort Ross. The town was laid out around a square, surrounded by the Mission, Vallejo's i, his brother Salvador's adobe home, a barracks for the general's army, and other buildings. A side note concerning the Town Hall, at the square's center, is that all four sides are identical so as to not offend any of merchants which may face the building.

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 June 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 wine making in California, dating back to the original vineyards of Mission Solano, then improvements made by Agoston Haraszthy, the father of California viticulture.

Notable Residents

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

Williams-Sonoma, the food assessory chain store, started its existance on Broadway, just two block from the town square before moving to San Francisco.

Steve Klein, a wordly acclaimed [lutherie] started his career and maintains a store-front on Broadway just between Willams-Sonoma's original site and the town square.

Count Agoston Haraszthy, the father of California viticulture, created the first winery West of the Mississippi. He tried many locations but settled in Sonoma with General Vallejo's assistance. His first Winery, Buena Vista still exists today. The count brought numerous cuttings from Europe prior to Europes vine-blight of 1836, after which they requested he re-patriate some cuttings back to Europe to replenish their vineyards.