Sonora city, California Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Sonora city is a small community located in California. The total population is 4,965. It ranks as the 664th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Sonora city is 38.2 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 37.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Sonora city is $62,621. This is 35% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 20% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.0%. This is 67% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 11.2%. This is 75% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $379,300. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 42.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Sonora city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (83.3% vs 34.6%). The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (9.2%) is well below the state average of 39.8%. The Asian population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.

Education

30.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.8%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Sonora city, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,577 Census-designated places in California. For official data, visit data.census.gov.