Moving to Sonoita, Arizona

Sonoita is a small rural community located in the southeastern corner of Arizona. It is situated in the Sonoran Desert, and its elevation is 4,500 feet above sea level. The climate of Sonoita is hot and dry during the summer months, with temperatures reaching up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. During the winter months, temperatures are mild with highs in the mid-70s and lows in the 40s. The area receives an average of 8-10 inches of rain per year.

The history of Sonoita dates back to 1878 when it was founded by Mexican ranchers who settled near a large spring at the base of Mount Wrightson. Over time, more settlers arrived and established farms and ranches throughout the area. In 1928, Sonoita was officially incorporated as a town by an act of legislature.

Politically, Sonoita is part of Santa Cruz County and falls within Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District. The town has a mayor-council form of government with five members on its town council who are elected at large every two years.

The economy of Sonoita revolves largely around agriculture with ranching being one of its main industries. Other industries include tourism, retail trade, construction, manufacturing, transportation and warehousing services. The town also boasts several wineries which draw visitors from all over Arizona and beyond due to its ideal climate for grape growing conditions.

Sonoita is served by two public schools: Patagonia Elementary School District #8 and Nogales Unified School District #1 which offer K-12 education to students living in the area. There are also several private schools nearby including St Joseph’s Catholic School which offers preK-8 education as well as Santa Cruz Valley Christian Academy which provides K-12 education for students living in Sonoita and surrounding areas .

Sonoita is home to many notable landmarks including Patagonia Lake State Park which features camping sites along with fishing boating opportunities; Coronado National Forest which offers hiking trails; Kartchner Caverns State Park; San Rafael Valley; Madera Canyon; Ramsey Peak Trailhead; Miller Peak Wilderness Area; Nogales Preserve Wildlife Refuge; Patagonia Lake Wildlife Area ;and Elgin Winery & Vineyards among others.

Population: 826
Males: 397 (48.1%), Females: 429 (51.9%)

Santa Cruz County

Zip code: 85637

Demographics

Median resident age: 50.1 years
Median household income: $51,310
Median house value: $192,200

Population by Race

Races in Sonoita:

• White Non-Hispanic (80.4%)
• Hispanic (16.7%)
• Other race (6.5%)
• Two or more races (2.5%)
• American Indian (2.1%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: German (21.7%), English (17.4%), Irish (16.5%), United States (4.6%), French (4.5%), Polish (4.1%).

Elevation: 4879 feet

Land area: 45.6 square miles

Population by Education

Sonoita, Arizona is a census-designated place located in Santa Cruz County. It is home to approximately 3,500 people. The residents of Sonoita enjoy a rural lifestyle, with the majority of the population living in single family homes on large lots. The median age of the population is 46 years old and the median household income is $50,000. The town has a large Hispanic population, making up nearly half of the total population. This diverse community prides itself on its rich cultural heritage and offers many opportunities for cultural exchange and exploration. The town also boasts a vibrant economy thanks to its many wineries and vineyards that attract tourists from all over the world. Additionally, Sonoita has an active art scene that features local galleries showcasing some of the best artwork from around Arizona. Its close proximity to Tucson makes it an ideal location for those seeking outdoor adventures such as hiking, biking, camping, horseback riding and bird watching. With its small-town feel and friendly atmosphere it’s no wonder why so many people flock to Sonoita each year!

For population 25 years and over in Sonoita

• High school or higher: 93.3%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 37.8%
• Graduate or professional degree: 21.0%
• Unemployed: 2.0%
• Mean travel time to work: 33.5 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Sonoita CDP

• Never married: 9.1%
• Now married: 75.4%
• Separated: 0.4%
• Widowed: 4.8%
• Divorced: 10.2%

6.3% Foreign born (4.4% Latin America, 1.7% Europe).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Sonoita:

• CARONDELET HOLY CROSS HOSPITAL INC (about 28 miles; NOGALES, AZ)
• SIERRA VISTA REGIONAL HEALTH CENTER (about 30 miles; SIERRA VISTA, AZ)
• BENSON HOSPITAL (about 34 miles; BENSON, AZ)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Sonoita:

• SIERRA VISTA MUNI-LIBBY AAF (about 23 miles; FORT HUACHUCA SIERRA VISTA, AZ; Abbreviation: FHU)
• TUCSON INTL (about 36 miles; TUCSON, AZ; Abbreviation: TUS)
• DAVIS-MONTHAN AFB (about 37 miles; TUCSON, AZ; Abbreviation: DMA)

Other public-use airports nearest to Sonoita:

• NOGALES INTL (about 22 miles; NOGALES, AZ; Abbreviation: OLS)
• BENSON MUNICIPAL (about 31 miles; BENSON, AZ; Abbreviation: E95)
• TOMBSTONE MUNI (about 45 miles; TOMBSTONE, AZ; Abbreviation: P29)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Sonoita:

• PIMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 41 miles; TUCSON, AZ; Full-time enrollment: 14,177)
• UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA (about 44 miles; TUCSON, AZ; Full-time enrollment: 29,915)
• COCHISE COLLEGE (about 79 miles; DOUGLAS, AZ; Full-time enrollment: 2,585)
• EASTERN ARIZONA COLLEGE (about 100 miles; THATCHER, AZ; Full-time enrollment: 3,085)
• CENTRAL ARIZONA COLLEGE (about 108 miles; COOLIDGE, AZ; Full-time enrollment: 2,333)
• CHANDLER/GILBERT COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 140 miles; CHANDLER, AZ; Full-time enrollment: 2,990)
• MESA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 145 miles; MESA, AZ; Full-time enrollment: 11,928)