About the Mountain Empire

Sonoita has a population of about 2,000, Patagonia has about 1000 and the Elgin Valley has about 500. These areas largely make up the Mountain Empire. The surrounding areas of Whetstone (2500), Huachucha City (2000) and Vail (11,000) help make the area special. These numbers are for people only. If we counted horses and other assorted animals, the population would more than double. Sonoita, located in the heart of ranch lands, a high desert area with rolling grasslands and clusters of oak and mesquite, is about 45 minutes Southeast of Tucson. The valley areas are surrounded by magnificent mountains like the Patagonia Mountains, the Santa Rita Mountains, Mustang and Whetstone Mountains, and the Huachucha Mountains.

The area is rich in old west lore including Tombstone, Bisbee, Cochise Stronghold, and old ghost towns. Much of the surrounding land is owned by the government as BLM land, military reservation and national forests. One can ride a horse or hike for endless miles in some of God’s most beautiful scenery.

Experts have declared the climate in the Sonoita Valley to be one of the finest in the world. There are four distinct seasons with hard freezes in the winter. You can grow apple, pear, peach and other trees requiring a hard freeze. Although it gets to freezing in the night, the winter days are light coat weather in the mid 50 degree range. We get an occasional dusting of snow but it is gone within three days. Our elevation is about 5,000 feet which allows for cooler summer days. Our temperature seldom hits 100 and the nights are always cool. Rain fall is about 20 inches a year with the majority of it coming in the summer months of July and August and in the winter during January and February.

There are many community activities as were held in the smaller towns of days gone by. Golfing can be done with several courses within easy driving distances. Amateur astronomers have beautiful clear skies with little light pollution so they can view endless stars and constellations. Sonoita is a quiet, peaceful place to live and raise a family.

The residents of our community are dedicated to maintaining the rural life style. Zoning in the rural areas for the greatest part allows for two acre lots (Suburban Ranch) or four plus acre lots (General Rural). There are many architectural styles but mainly Santa Fe or Ranch. Lots will require drilling wells and septic systems. There are a number of good builders in the area. You may contact Sonoita Realty for additional information or for a list of vendors in our area. We have the only property management service in Sonoita and assist people in finding rentals.

Some of our local organizations include:

  • Elgin Community Club
  • Sonoita Elgin Fire Department (SEFD)
  • Girl Scouts and Brownies
  • Boy and Cub Scouts
  • Rotary
  • American Legion
  • Kiwanis
  • Sonoita-Elgin Cowbells
  • 4-H Club

Some of our local community activities include:

  • County Horse Racing
  • Blessing of the Vines
  • Sonoita Quarter Horse Show
  • Fourth of July Celebration
  • Blessing of the Harvest
  • County Fair
  • Sonoita Rodeo
  • Empire Ranch Roundup
  • Children’s Halloween Party
  • Christmas Party

The agents of Sonoita Realty are committed to providing our clients with the most accurate information and providing protection to them when purchasing in our area.