Pioneer is a census-designated place in Amador County, California. It is located east-northeast of Pine Grove, at an elevation of 2986 feet, along State Route 88. The community is in ZIP code 95666 and area code 209. The population was 1,094 at the 2010 census. Pioneer Station, built approximately 1925, is located in Pioneer however, it was never a Pony Express stop, a popular fallacy. It was a general store selling gas and water and offering camping sites. The old Pioneer Station still stands and is currently a private residence. A post office opened in Pioneer in 1947.
Demographics
The 2010 United States Census reported that Pioneer had a population of 1,094. The population density was 253.2 people per square mile. The racial makeup of Pioneer was 1,017 White, 0 African American, 34 Native American, 1 Asian, 2 Pacific Islander, 12 from other races, and 28 from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 52 persons. The Census reported that 1,094 people lived in households, 0 lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 were institutionalized. There were 475 households, out of which 111 had children under the age of 18 living in them, 255 were opposite-sex married couples living together, 30 had a female householder with no husband present, 34 had a male householder with no wife present. There were 25 unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 1 same-sex married couples or partnerships. 132 households were made up of individuals and 67 had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30. There were 319 families ; the average family size was 2.76. The population was spread out with 197 people under the age of 18, 55 people aged 18 to 24, 180 people aged 25 to 44, 400 people aged 45 to 64, and 262 people who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.5 males. There were 600 housing units at an average density of 138.9 per square mile, of which 475 were occupied, of which 394 were owner-occupied, and 81 were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 7.9%. 866 people lived in owner-occupied housing units and 228 people lived in rental housing units.
The scenery and environment around Pioneer includes a number of centuries-old tall pine trees and oak trees, as well as lakes for water sports and fishing.
