Sonora, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Sonora is a small town in California with a population of 4,965. Residents earn $62,621 per year, which is 17% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
4,965 Population 1,571/sq mi density
$62,621 Median Income $39,503 per capita
$379,300 Home Value $400,266 Zillow
$1,164 Median Rent 33.9% income on rent
58°F Avg Temperature
460 Violent Crime/100K 7,000 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$62,621 median income, 6.8% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.3 / 5.0
$379,300 home value, $1,164/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
460 violent crimes/100K (21% above avg)
B
Education
3.4 / 5.0
30.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $62,621
17% lower than US avg
Home Value $379,300
35% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 460/100K
21% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 30.2%
10% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,164
0% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 31.3%
2% lower than US avg
Unemployment 6.8%
89% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.4%
40% higher than US avg

How Sonora Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population4,965
Median Age38.2 yrs
Density1,571/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 85%

Economy

C+
Median Income$62,621
Per Capita$39,503
Unemployment6.8%
Poverty17.4%
County GDP$13,282M
Commute33 min

Housing

B
Home Value$379,300
Rent$1,164
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$400,266
Rent Burden33.9%

Crime

F
Violent460/100K
Property7,000/100K
Murder20.9/100K
Assault334/100K
Burglary1,776/100K

Health

Obesity31.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.9%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp58°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain32.8 in/yr
Elevation1,833 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+30.2%
High School+94.8%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 51% / D 47%
Commute33 min
EV Stations8
Libraries13

Is Sonora a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sonora receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. Sonora has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sonora is $62,621, 17% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 6.8% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 17.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sonora is $379,300, 35% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,164 per month. The price-to-income ratio of 6.1x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 7,000 per 100,000, 257% above the national average.

Education

30.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Sonora enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F. Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 32.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Sonora has a population of 4,965 with a density of 1,571 people per square mile. The median age is 38.2 years, 2% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (84.8%), with 3.9% Hispanic.

Population

4,965
Total Population
1,571
People / sq mi
38.2yrs
Median Age
2% below US avg
3.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 41.6%
Female 58.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Sonora vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.8%
21% above US avg
Spanish5.2%
61% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sonora vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sonora is $62,621, which is 17% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 17.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Income: Sonora vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$62,621
17% below US avg
Per Capita Income$39,503
Avg Weekly Wage$1,057
IRS Avg AGI$57,281

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.8%
89% above US avg
Poverty Rate17.4%
40% above US avg
Establishments (County)8,584
County GDP$13,282M

Business (County)

Restaurants403
Healthcare479
Retail547
Manufacturing116

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,616
32% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.22%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time33.0 min
Work from Home8.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Sonora is $379,300, 35% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,164 (0% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $400,266.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$379,300
35% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$400,266
Median List Price$399,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$399,000
$/Sq Ft$252
Homes Sold5
Sale-to-List Ratio94.7%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory12

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,164
0% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,263
Rent Burden33.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied42.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,616
32% above US avg
Effective Rate1.22%
In Sonora, 31.3% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 27.9% report depression. 23.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Sonora vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity31.3%
2% below US avg
Diabetes10.2%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure30.7%
Asthma11.5%
COPD7.0%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.1%
Physical Inactivity23.9%
Depression27.9%
Mental Distress21.2%
Physical Distress14.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.9%
Checkup Rate71.5%
Premature Death8,849/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.1/10
Exercise Access78.3%
Healthcare Facilities479
Sonora has a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, 21% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 7,000 per 100,000 (257% above US avg). The murder rate is 20.9 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Sonora vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent459.7/100K
21% above US avg
Murder20.9/100K
232% above US avg
Rape62.7/100K
Robbery41.8/100K
Assault334.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property6,999.6/100K
257% above US avg
Burglary1,776.0/100K
Theft4,951.9/100K
Vehicle Theft271.6/100K
Arson83.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)62

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Sonora has an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 32.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

44°F Jan (7°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average57.7°F
7% above US avg
January Average44°F (7°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall32.8 inches
14% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,833 ft (559 m)
Area3.2 sq mi (8.2 km²)
Population Density1,571/sq mi
Coordinates37.9817°N, 120.3828°W
County FIPS06047
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 30.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (10% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 4.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 50.9%
D 46.5%

Winner: Republican by 4.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+30.2%
10% below US avg
High School+94.8%
School Test Score4.69
B Education Grade (3.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,571/sq mi
Total Area3.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations8
Alt Fuel Stations10
Public Libraries13
Healthcare Facilities479
Restaurants403
Retail Stores547

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)62
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute33.0 min
Work from Home8.2%

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