City Town Info

Sonoma, CA


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Sonoma, California

Introduction to Sonoma, California

Sonoma, California, in Sonoma county, is 9 miles W of Napa, California and 35 miles N of Oakland, California. As of the year 2000 census, 9,128 people lived in Sonoma.

Sonoma History

Sonoma was originally inhabited by the Coast Miwok, Pomo and Wintun Native Americans. The city derived its name from an Indian term meaning “nose.” The Spanish were the first to explore the area. It is the birthplace of the American California and the Bear Flag was first raised in this city on June 14, 1846. Sonoma was incorporated on September 3, 1883.

Sonoma and nearby Attractions

  • Valley Mart Shopping Center
  • Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
  • Sonoma State Historic Park
  • Vallejo Home State Historical Monument
  • Depot Park Museum
  • Train Town

Things To Do In Sonoma

Local parks include Eraldi Park, Depot Park, the Sonoma State Historic Park, Olsen Park and Hughes Park. The Vallejo Home State Historical Monument is also a notable local location. Sonoma Valley Regional Park and Maxwell Farms Regional Park are also nearby. Sonoma hosts the Sonoma Valley Film Festival every April.

Sonoma Transportation

Sonoma County Airport is nearby.

Sonoma Higher Education

Sonoma State University, Santa Rosa Junior College and Napa Valley College are all accessible from Sonoma.

High Points

Sonoma strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in California):

CategoryTrophy
Walking and Biking to Work
(vs. Peers)		Top 5%trophySonoma Walking and Biking to Work
Well-Paid Single Women
(vs. Peers)		Top 6%Sonoma Well-Paid Single Women
Low Rate of Poverty
(vs. State)		Top 9%Sonoma Low Rate of Poverty
Well-Paid Single Men
(vs. Peers)		Top 13%Sonoma Well-Paid Single Men
College Educated Adults
(vs. Peers)		Top 17%Sonoma College Educated Adults
People in Middle Class or Better
(vs. State)		Top 17%Sonoma People in Middle Class or Better

Comparative Profile of Sonoma, CA

Comparing Sonoma to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in California (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Age of the Population1010
Senior Citizens1010
Female Share of the Population1010
Well-Paid Single Women109
Well-Paid Single Men98
Racial Diversity61
Children Under 5 Years Old12
Male Share of the Population11

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Portion of People Married22
Average Household Size11

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
College Educated Adults98
People Above Poverty910
People in Middle Class or Better89
Median Family Income87

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Walking and Biking to Work109
Working at Home109
Public Transportation Use87
Short Commute Times34

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
People Living Alone1010
Seasonal and Vacation Housing1010
Housing Recently Built87
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals63
Affordability of Property Taxes33
Affordability of Rents13

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Low Property Crime44
Low Violent Crime34

Detailed pages on related topics: Sonoma travel • Sonoma mortgage and property.

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Additional Details

Sonoma Hotels & TravelSonoma Hotels & Travel
Sonoma hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.
Sonoma MortgageSonoma Mortgage
Sonoma property, mortgage, and real estate.

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Historic Sonoma

photo

By the creek between 1900 and 1920

Additional Resources


Large City Map

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