Healdsburg is a city located in Sonoma County, California, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 10,722. The town is a commercial center for northern Sonoma County as well as being one of Northern California's wine capitals: three of Sonoma's most important wine-producing regions (the Russian River Valley AVA, Dry Creek Valley AVA, and the Alexander Valley AVA) meet in Healdsburg.

Though the town was not founded during Mexican rule, Healdsburg is centered on a 19th century plaza that still provides an important focal point for tourists and locals alike.

Geography

Healdsburg is located at (38.617593, -122.866413) .

The city has a total area of . of it is land and is water. The total area is 0.5% water.

Climate

{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;" |+ Monthly climate averages (1961-1990) |- bgcolor=lightgrey ! Month ! High (°F) ! Low (°F) ! Precip. (inches) |- ||January |align="right"|58 |align="right"|39 |align="left"|8.99 |- ||February |align="right"|63 |align="right"|42 |align="left"|6.96 |- ||March |align="right"|67 |align="right"|43 |align="left"|5.89 |- ||April |align="right"|72 |align="right"|45 |align="left"|2.4 |- ||May |align="right"|79 |align="right"|42 |align="left"|0.62 |- ||June |align="right"|85 |align="right"|53 |align="left"|0 |- ||July |align="right"|90 |align="right"|53 |align="left"|0 |- ||August |align="right"|89 |align="right"|54 |align="left"|0.62 |- ||September |align="right"|86 |align="right"|53 |align="left"|0.6 |- ||October |align="right"|79 |align="right"|49 |align="left"|2.48 |- ||November |align="right"|66 |align="right"|44 |align="left"|6.9 |- ||December |align="right"|57 |align="right"|39 |align="left"|7.44 |- |}

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 10,722 people, 3,968 households, and 2,702 families residing in the city. The population density is 2,848/sq mi (1,101/km²). There are 4,138 housing units at an average density of 1,099/sq mi (425/km²). The racial makeup of the city is 79.89% White, 0.50% African American, 1.80% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 13.44% from other races, and 3.56% from two or more races. 28.82% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 3,968 households out of which 33.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% are married couples living together, 11.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% are non-families. 25.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.69 and the average family size is 3.23.

In the city the population is spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $48,995, and the median income for a family is $55,386. Males have a median income of $38,977 versus $32,015 for females. The per capita income for the city is $22,245. 9.4% of the population and 6.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 10.4% of those under the age of 18 and 6.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Politics

In the state legislature Healdsburg is located in the 2nd Senate District, represented by Democrat Pat Wiggins, and in the 1st Assembly District, represented by Democrat Patty Berg. Federally, Healdsburg is located in California's 1st congressional district.

History

Early inhabitants of the local area were the Pomo people, who constructed villages in open areas along the Russian River. European settlement commenced in the mid 1800s, with the first Caucasian settlement nearby established downstream along the Russian River near Graton in the year 1836. The city considers its official founding date to be 1857 ref name="earlyHistory" />

Farming, especially orchards and truck farms, was common within the present city limits from at least the 1890s to 1940s.

Downtown

Downtown Healdsburg is a tourist destination. It is a foot-friendly mecca for tasting local wines, fine dining, upscale boutiques, and art galleries. The galleries range from cooperatives to local one-artist storefronts and include the works of nationally and internationally known masters. Healdsburg hosts a jazz music festival each June, a farmer's market from late spring to late fall; Tuesdays and Saturdays, and a wide range of wine and food related events. The downtown is also a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Environment

An intrinsic element of the city's natural environment is the riparian zone associated with the Russian River that flows through Healdsburg. City residents support recycling by use of the Healdsburg Transfer Facility. The city has shown an interest in creating a quiet environment by creating a Noise Element of the General Plan, which defines baseline sound level contours and sets forth standards of quiet for each land use category.