Sonora, Texas

Sonora is the county seat of Sutton County, Texas, United States.^[3] The population was 2,924 at the 2000 census. It is also one of the leading speed trap cities in West Texas, averaging more than 48,000 citations per year (over 10 per year per capita).

Former State Senator and Lieutenant Governor Bill Ratliff of Mount Pleasant was reared in Sonora and graduated from high school there.

Geography and climate

Sonora is located at 30°34′5″N 100°38′39″W / 30.56806°N 100.64417°W (30.568166, -100.644163)^[4].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.0 square miles (5.1 km²), all of it land.

The area lies in the western portions of the Texas Hill Country, a region of limestone outcrops and rolling terrain dotted with areas of live oaks (Quercus fusiformis) and Juniper (Juniperus ashei) in the form of a woodland or savanna, alternating with a blend of various grasses and other shrubs and cacti.

Sonora's climate is sub-humid, subtropical, though periods of long drought are not uncommon due to the proximity of deserts and steppes nearby, to the west. The upland location allows some of the periodic Gulf 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 the steppes and deserts 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 good breeze often moderates the heat. Fall through spring months are often pleasant, though winter can experience brief periods of cold or cloudy weather.

Demographics

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 2,924 people, 1,043 households, and 808 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,488.8 people per square mile (576.0/km²). There were 1,264 housing units at an average density of 643.6/sq mi (249.0/km²). The racial 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. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 53.35% of the population.

There were 1,043 households out of which 42.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.0% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.5% were non-families. 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 spread out with 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 the median income for a family was $38,106. Males had a median income of $31,728 versus $17,935 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,128. About 13.0% of families and 16.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.9% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The City of Sonora is served by the Sonora Independent School District. The Sonora High School Broncos have the most football state championships in their division (2A) with five.

Attractions

• Caverns of Sonora: approximately 8 miles to the west. Caverns of Sonora National Natural Landmark
• Eaton Hill Wildlife Sanctuary- Contains two Geocaching sites
• Historic Downtown Sonora
• Sonora Golf Course

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
2. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
3. ^ . National Association of Counties. . Retrieved 2008-01-31.
4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31.

External links

• City of Sonora website
• Southwest Texas LIVE! news about Sonora and region
• Eaton Hill Wildlife Sanctuary- Contains two Geocaching sites
• Sonora Chamber of Commerce website

Categories: Sutton County, Texas | Cities in Texas | County seats in Texas | Texas communities with Hispanic majority populations