As a result of the favorable Mediterranean climate, there are many wineries in the area, including Dorcich Family Vineyards, Sycamore Creek, Martin Ranch, Hecker Pass, Fernwood Cellars, Fortino, Kirigin Cellars, Solis, and Sarah's Vineyard.

As of the 2010 US Census, the population was 4,014 residents of whom 67.1% were non-Hispanic white, 20.1% Hispanic, 8.5% Asian, and 4.3% of other races, with a median age of 45.5 years old.

[7] Apart from the communities of Sveadal and Loma Chiquita, most residents and businesses in the area use postal zip codes from neighboring cities of Morgan Hill, San Martin, or Gilroy.

Rancho San Francisco de las Llagas in the northern part was named after Las Llagas de Nuestro Padre San Francisco ("the wounds of Our Father Saint Francis").

In 1955, the Chesbro reservoir was formed by damming the Llagas creek, to ensure adequate water supply for the surrounding farms and growing population of nearby Morgan Hill.