Windsor, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Windsor
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Downtown Windsor in September 2024.
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 Windsor, California
Location in California
Windsor, California
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Sonoma |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council–manager |
| Area | |
| • Total | 7.30 sq mi (18.91 km2) |
| • Land | 7.28 sq mi (18.85 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.06 km2) |
| Elevation | 118 ft (36 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 26,344 |
| • Density | 3,542.8/sq mi (1,367.9/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
95492
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| Area code(s) | 707/369 |
| FIPS code | 06-85922 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1667892 |
Windsor is a town located in Sonoma County, California, United States. It is an incorporated town, meaning it has its own local government. Windsor is about 9 miles north of Santa Rosa. It is also about 63 miles north of San Francisco. In 2020, the town had a population of 26,344 people.
Contents
History of Windsor
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Early Beginnings
The area where Windsor is now located was first home to the Southern Pomo people. They called the place Tsoliikawai, which means "blackbird field." This name was used for their village and tribe.
European settlers first arrived in Windsor in 1851. In 1855, the town got its first post office. Hiram Lewis, a Pony Express rider, was the first postmaster. He named the town Windsor. He chose this name because the area reminded him of the land around Windsor Castle in England.
The next year, a group of businesses opened in eastern Windsor. These included a store, a shoe shop, a grocery, a meat market, a saloon, a hotel, and two candy shops. In 1872, the Northwestern Pacific Railroad came through Windsor. This made travel and trade to the Bay Area much faster and cheaper.
Fires and Earthquakes
On May 21, 1905, a big fire destroyed the center of Windsor. Strong winds helped the fire spread. It ruined several businesses, including a hotel and a barber shop. The damage was estimated to be about $30,000.
The Great San Francisco Earthquake in 1906 also caused a lot of damage in Windsor. Many buildings were still being fixed from the 1905 fire when the earthquake hit.
Modern Changes
In 1915, the Old Redwood Highway through Windsor was paved. Before this, all roads in the area were dirt.
During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces built a training air base in southern Windsor. This base is now the Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport. People in Windsor often heard fighter planes and bombers flying overhead.
In 1943, a camp for German prisoners of war was built west of downtown Windsor. These prisoners worked on farms in the county. They picked crops like apples, prunes, and hops. They earned $0.80 per day for their work.
Becoming a Town
Windsor officially became an incorporated town on July 1, 1992. Before this, it was part of Sonoma County but did not have its own town government. Windsor grew a lot in the 1980s. Many new homes were built. Before that, Windsor's economy was mostly based on farming, especially wine grapes.
In 1996, Windsor created its first General Plan. This plan guides how the town will grow and change. The town is now working on a new plan, called the 2040 General Plan. This plan will help Windsor prepare for the next 25 years.
In 1998, Windsor voters approved an urban growth boundary (UGA). This boundary helps control where the town can grow. In 2017, voters renewed this boundary for another 22 years.
Geography of Windsor
Windsor covers an area of about 7.3 square miles (18.9 square kilometers). Only a small part of this area is water. The town is located about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from the Russian River.
Windsor is situated along U.S. Highway Route 101. This highway runs through the Russian River valley. Nearby towns include Healdsburg, Santa Rosa, and Forestville.
People of Windsor
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2000 | 22,744 | — | |
| 2010 | 26,801 | 17.8% | |
| 2020 | 26,344 | −1.7% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 26,548 | −0.9% | |
| US Census | |||
Windsor's population was 26,344 in 2020. The town is home to a diverse group of people.
| Racial and ethnic composition | 2000 | 2010 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 70.3% | 60.65% | 56.48% |
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) | 23.58% | 31.76% | 33.78% |
| Two or more races (non-Hispanic) | 2.24% | 2.54% | 4.85% |
| Asian (non-Hispanic) | 2.21% | 2.89% | 2.82% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 0.66% | 0.71% | 0.83% |
| Native American (non-Hispanic) | 0.77% | 1.06% | 0.7% |
| Other (non-Hispanic) | 0.11% | 0.21% | 0.34% |
| Pacific Islander (non-Hispanic) | 0.13% | 0.18% | 0.2% |
In 2010, the average household in Windsor had about 2.98 people. Many households had children under 18 living in them. The median age in Windsor was 37.0 years. For every 100 females, there were about 96.6 males.
Economy and Business
Shopping and Local Businesses
Windsor has several shopping areas. These include Bell Village, Lakewood Shopping Center, and Old Downtown Windsor. These centers offer many stores and services.
The Windsor Chamber of Commerce helps local businesses. It represents about 300 businesses. These include stores, factories, and service groups. The Chamber also supports young adults through the Junior Chamber of Commerce. It offers scholarships for education.
Tourism in Windsor
Windsor works with Sonoma County Tourism to attract visitors. This helps promote local events and attractions. Tourism brings more people and money to the town.
Arts and Culture
Community Events
Windsor hosts many community events throughout the year. These events are often held with local non-profit groups.
One popular event is the "Summer Nights on the Green" concert series. These are free outdoor concerts held weekly during the summer. They include family fun, entertainment, and food. The Windsor Farmer's Market is also part of these events.
Other special events include:
- The annual Earth Day and Wellness Festival.
- The Windsor Days Parade.
- The Cinco de Mayo Festival.
- The Community Art and Flower Show.
- The Windsor Half Marathon and Expo.
- The annual Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic.
- The Ironman Vineman triathlon, which is a very old iron-distance race in the United States.
On July 3rd, Windsor celebrates Independence Day. This event features live music, local food, and a special kids' area.
The Windsor Hometown Heroes Military Banner Program honors local residents who serve in the United States Armed Forces. Banners for these heroes are displayed in the Windsor Civic Center. A special ceremony is held every November.
During December, Windsor celebrates the holidays with a Holiday Celebration. This event includes live entertainment and activities for children. Horse-drawn carriages take guests around the beautiful Windsor Town Green. The Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Grove is also a popular holiday event. It features 200 decorated trees lining the walkways of the Town Green. Businesses, individuals, and groups decorate these trees. Thousands of visitors come to see them throughout December.
Museum
The Windsor Historical Society works to collect and share the history of Windsor. They have a museum that opened in February 2009. The museum shows exhibits about the people and events that shaped Windsor's past. It is located in the historic Hembree House.
Parks and Recreation
Windsor has many community and neighborhood parks. These parks offer sports fields, play areas, restrooms, and picnic spots. Local regional parks provide hundreds of acres for outdoor activities. Some trails are for hikers, while others are open to horseback riders and cyclists.
The Town of Windsor also offers many recreational programs. These include classes for young children, youth sports, activities for seniors, and arts and music programs.
The Windsor Golf Club is a public golf course. From 1990 to 1995, it hosted a professional golf event called the Hogan Tour. In 2017, it hosted a women's golf tournament called the POCMED Golf Classic.
Education
Most of Windsor is part of the Windsor Unified School District. A small part of the town is in the Mark West Union Elementary School District and Santa Rosa High School District.
In 2009, Windsor Middle School was recognized as a California Distinguished School.
High Schools
- Windsor High School
- Windsor Oaks Academy (located at Windsor High School)
Elementary and Middle Schools
- Brooks Elementary School
- Mattie Washburn Elementary School
- Cali Calmecac Language Academy (a charter school for grades K-8)
- Windsor Middle School
- Windsor Christian Academy (a private school for grades K-8)
- New North County Consortium (for students with special education needs)
Colleges and Universities
There are several higher education facilities near Windsor in Sonoma County:
- Empire College
- Santa Rosa Junior College
- Sonoma State University
Town Services
Transportation
Roads and Highways
U.S. Highway Route 101 serves Windsor. This major highway connects California, Oregon, and Washington.
Windsor has programs to manage traffic in neighborhoods. The town is also very friendly to bicycles. In 2015, it won an award from The League of American Bicyclists.
SMART Train Service
The Sonoma–Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) line is a train and pathway project. It connects Marin and Sonoma counties. The first part of the train service opened in 2017. It runs between San Rafael and the Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport. This is just south of Windsor. Funding was secured in 2023 to extend the service to Windsor station. Train service to Windsor is expected to start by 2025.
Nearby Airport
The Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport (STS) is located just south of Windsor. This airport offers direct flights to many cities. These include Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, and Phoenix.
Since 1997, the airport has hosted the "Wings Over Wine Country Air Show." This is the biggest air show in the North Bay area. It attracts over 25,000 visitors each year.
Library
The Sonoma County Library system has several branches. In 1996, the old Town Hall building in Windsor was renovated. It became the Windsor Regional Library. The new library opened on November 3, 1996. It is a full-service library located near the Town Green.
Emergency Services
Fire Department
Windsor is served by the Sonoma County Fire District. This district was created in April 2019. It combined the former Windsor Fire Protection District with other nearby districts.
Police Department
Since 1992, the Town of Windsor has contracted with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office for police services. This means sheriff's deputies work as Windsor police officers. In August 2020, a new agreement was made for five years.
Windsor was ranked the 34th safest city in California in 2016 by SafeWise. The town has been on this list every year for the past three years.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Windsor has a contract with Bell's Ambulance Service. They provide advanced life support (ALS) emergency medical services. Paramedics and EMTs are available 24/7. Bell's Ambulance has had a station in Windsor since 1991.
Notable People
- David Ruprecht, a 1990s television game show host.
- Guy Fieri, an American television personality.
- Scooby Wright – a linebacker who played for the Arizona Wildcats and in the NFL.
Awards and Recognition
In recent years, the Town of Windsor has received awards for:
- The quality of its Old Redwood Highway Improvements Project.
- Being a healthy company.
- The quality of its Windsor Station Area Plan.
- Being a bicycle-friendly community.
Images for kids
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Downtown Windsor in September 2024.
See also
In Spanish: Windsor (California) para niños
