Sonora, Texas | |
|---|---|
 Sonora entrance sign | |
| Nickname: "Home of the Caverns of Sonora" | |
 Location in the state ofTexas | |
 | |
| Coordinates:30°34′5″N100°38′39″W / 30.56806°N 100.64417°W /30.56806; -100.64417 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Sutton |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Wanda Shurley |
| Area | |
• Total | 2.22 sq mi (5.75 km2) |
| • Land | 2.22 sq mi (5.75 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,129 ft (649 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 2,502 |
| • Density | 1,130/sq mi (435/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 76950 |
| Area code | Area code 325 |
| FIPS code | 48-68756[2] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1368606[3] |
| Website | City of Sonora |
Sonora is a city in and thecounty seat ofSutton County,Texas, United States.[4] The population was 2,502 at the2020 census.[5]
Sonora is located at30°34′5″N100°38′39″W / 30.56806°N 100.64417°W /30.56806; -100.64417 (30.568166, –100.644163).[6]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.0 square miles (5.1 km2), all land.
The area lies in west Texas, bordering the Texas Hill Country on the east. It is a region of limestone outcrops and rolling terrain dotted with areas of mostly smaller, clump-forming or mottes of live oaks (Quercus fusiformis) and juniper (Juniperus ashei), as an open savanna grading into a closed savanna or woodland to the east, alternating with a blend of various grasses, shrubs, and cacti.
Sonora's climate is semi-arid, warm temperate but humid continental, though periods of long drought are not uncommon due to the influence of deserts to the west. The upland location allows some of the periodicGulf of Mexico moisture to interact with frontal systems and elevated terrain, to create more clouds and precipitation than locations in the brush country to the south, or drier areas to the west and northwest. Thunderstorms with heavy rainfall are most frequent during spring and fall months, though some lighter, steady precipitation and low clouds can occur during the winter, due in large part to frontal systems originating on the plains and prairies to the north.
Summers are long and hot, often with higher humidity, though a breeze often moderates the heat. Fall through spring months are often pleasant, though winter can experience brief periods of cold or cloudy weather.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 1,009 | — | |
| 1930 | 1,942 | 92.5% | |
| 1940 | 2,528 | 30.2% | |
| 1950 | 2,633 | 4.2% | |
| 1960 | 2,619 | −0.5% | |
| 1970 | 2,149 | −17.9% | |
| 1980 | 3,856 | 79.4% | |
| 1990 | 2,751 | −28.7% | |
| 2000 | 2,924 | 6.3% | |
| 2010 | 3,027 | 3.5% | |
| 2020 | 2,502 | −17.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[7] | |||
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 789 | 31.53% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 6 | 0.24% |
| Native American orAlaska Native (NH) | 2 | 0.08% |
| Asian (NH) | 4 | 0.16% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 12 | 0.48% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 31 | 1.24% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1,658 | 66.27% |
| Total | 2,502 |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 2,502 people, 1,085 households, and 799 families residing in the city.
As of thecensus[2] of 2000, 2,924 people, 1,043 households, and 808 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,488.8 inhabitants per square mile (574.8/km2). There were 1,264 housing units at an average density of 643.6 per square mile (248.5/km2). Theracial makeup of the city was 74.18% White, 0.34% African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 23.36% from other races, and 1.54% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 53.35% of the population.
Of the 1,043 households, 42.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.0% weremarried couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.5% were not families. About 20.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.23.
In the city, the population was distributed as 31.1% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,272, and for a family was $38,106. Males had a median income of $31,728 versus $17,935 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $16,128. About 13.0% of families and 16.7% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 23.9% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.
The city government of Sonora uses the aldermanic form of government. It is led by an elected mayor and four other council members.[10]
As of February 24, 2016 the mayor of Sonora was Wanda Shurley and the four council members were Doug Chandler, Todd Munn, Jeremy Dawson, and Terri Johnson.[11]The Sonora police department is headed by Chief Matthew Routh.
The City of Sonora is served by theSonora Independent School District. Sonora exhibits a proud tradition of both academic and athletic success in its long history. TheSonora High School Broncos have won the most football state championships in their division (2A) with five, the most recent having been won in 2000 against the Blanco Panthers.
The latest championship team was coached by Jason Herring. 2000 was the first of two State Championships for him, his second coming in 2011 (beating the Broncos on the way there) with the Refugio Bobcats.
On the night of April 2, 1901,William Carver, a member ofButch Cassidy's Wild Bunch, was shot and killed in Jack Owen's Bakery by Sheriff E.S. Briant and his deputies. Briant was trying to arrest Carver on suspicion of the murder of Oliver Thornton in Concho County.
Municipalities and communities ofSutton County, Texas,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| City |  | |
| Ghost towns | ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
