Pollock Pines is a quiet Census-Designated Place (CDP) known for its ample outdoor activities, natural beauty, and proximity to Sacramento. Living in Pollock Pines, CA, is for those who enjoy the peace and quiet of a more rural town. Keep reading to learn more about what moving to Pollock Pines entails.
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History
According to National Geographic, Pollock Pines, California, has a rich history rooted in the California Gold Rush era. The historic Pony Express Trail, which goes directly through the CDP, was used heavily by pioneers and immigrants. The CDP hosted one of the original stations, the Twelve Mile House.
The community is named after Hiram Robert (H.R.) Pollock, a land developer and lumberman who arrived in the early 1900s. Pollock Pines was a prominent logging town in its early years. The first post office was built in 1936.
Is Pollock Pines CA, a Good Place to Live?
Living in Pollock Pines, CA, is fantastic! It’s peaceful and rural, has a rich history, a quaint downtown, and a family-friendly community—what more could you want from your future home? If moving to Pollock Pines is in your future, we serve this CDP and other cities in El Dorado County, such as South Lake Tahoe, Placerville, and Shingle Springs.
Where Is Pollock Pines?
Pollock Pines, California, is located in El Dorado County, east of Sacramento and West of Lake Tahoe. It’s part of the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom CA Metro, borders the El Dorado National Forest, and is near various notable California cities; living in Pollock Pines, CA, boasts ideal positioning!
How Far Is Pollock Pines From Sacramento?
Although the CDP is more rural, it’s located near many bigger cities:
- Pollock Pines to Sacramento: 56.4 miles
- Pollock Pines to South Lake Tahoe: 46.8 miles
- Pollock Pines to Placerville: 12.9 miles
The best way to get around the CDP is by car, as public transportation is limited. El Dorado Transit has one bus route (60) through Pollock Pines. The route runs through Placerville Station to Safeway Plaza in the CDP. It runs every hour from 7 AM to 6:55 PM (no weekends). You can connect to other stops along the Pony Express Trail.
Pollock Pines Population & Demographics
Pollock Pines, Calif, has a population of 7,112, according to data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau; this figure has seen a 241-person increase since 2010. The population density here is 890 persons per square mile.
The average household size is 2.2 persons, and there are 2,712 households in the CDP limits. The median age is the fifth-oldest in its county (45.8), and the largest age group is people between the ages of 25 and 64. 35% of people living in Pollock Pines, CA, are over 50.
Employment data shows the poverty rate is well above the US average—20.8% versus 11.5%. The mean travel time to work is 33.8 minutes, and the median household income in Pollock ($70,489) is $4,660 below the US median ($75,149.)
Additional demographics:
- Ownership of occupied units: 73% owner-occupied versus 27% renter-occupied
- Moved since the previous year: 18.9%
- Educational attainment: 92.5% have high school diplomas, and 22.4% have bachelor’s degrees
- Foreign-born population: 3.2%
- Veteran status: 10.3%
Racial and Ethnic makeup:
- White: 90.3%
- White (non-Hispanic or Latino): 86.9%
- Hispanic or Latino: 8.9%
- Two or more races: 4.8%
- Black or African American: 1.6%
- Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: 0.6%
- Asian: 0.6%
- American Indian or Alaska Native: 0.3%
Pollock Pines Crime Rate
The FBI does not have crime rate statistics for Pollock Pines, but information is available for nearby Placerville. Placerville is 12 miles from Pollock Pines, meaning analyzing its crime rates will clearly represent the area’s safety.
- Placerville crime rate per 100k people: 2,493
- California crime rate per 100k people: 2,843
- US crime rate per 100k people: 2,324
- Placerville violent crime rate per 100k people: 557
- California violent crime rate per 100k people: 500
- US violent crime rate per 100k people: 370
- Placerville property crime rate per 100k people: 1,936
- California property crime rate per 100k people: 2,343
- US property crime rate per 100k people: 1,954
The property crime rate in Placerville is 17.4% lower than the state and 0.9% lower than the country. BestPlaces estimates that Pollock Pines’s violent crime rate per 100k people is 203 and that its property crime rate is 3,410.
El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department serves the people living in Pollock Pines.
Cost of Living in Pollock Pines
According to PayScale, Pollock Pines has a Cost of Living Index (COLI) of 111, making it 11% more expensive than the average US city but still 108.7% more affordable than the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom CA Metro.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four must earn a household income of $132,464 to live comfortably in El Dorado County.
Typical *Pollock Pines living expenses:
- Inexpensive restaurant meal: $20.00
- Gallon of milk: $4.84
- Loaf of white bread: $4.21
- Pound of white rice: $2.32
- Dozen eggs: $4.23
- Pound of local cheese: $6.77
- Average Pollock Pines utilities per month: $285 (per Doxo)
Source: Numbeo
*The above figures are for Sacramento, meaning prices may differ when living in Pollock Pines, CA.
Real Estate Market
Before you can experience living in Pollock Pines, CA, in all its glory, you must find your dream house. If you’re seeking a Pollock Pines home to call your own, you’ll want to know what a residence in this CDP will cost. According to RedFin, the Pollock Pines real estate market is very competitive, likely due to its desirability and minimal development. The median sale price in Pollock Pines is $410,000, and the average price per square foot is $283. Houses typically sit on the market for 27 days, and 57.1% sell above the listing price.
Pollock Pines homes for sale are highly sought after and reasonably priced, meaning you should act quickly if you find one you love.
Pollock Pines Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Pollock Pines
Regardless of your neighborhood, we think you’ll love living in Pollock Pines, CA. However, here are a few top areas to live in this CDP.
Gold Ridge
Gold Ridge is a lovely Pollock Pine neighborhood near the community center and its amenities. The town’s grocery store (Safeway) is just outside the neighborhood, and Sly Park Campground is a few miles in the opposite direction. Gold Ridge is more affordable, as most homes for sale are below $400,000.
South Pollock Pines
South Pollock is an area of the CDP near Pollock Pines Recreation Park. The neighborhood is family-friendly, as most homes are within walking distance of Pinewood Elementary School. Notable restaurants like Southfork 1848 | Eatery & Bakeshop are also close by.
Pollock Pines Weather
Pollock Pines has a Koppen climate classification of Csa, also described as a warm-summer Mediterranean climate. When living in Pollock Pines, CA, you will experience warm, arid summers with little rain, whereas the winters are long, cold, and wet. From November to March, the CDP is cloudy, with an average daily low of 57 degrees Fahrenheit. The coldest month of the year is December. The warmest month of the year is July, with an average daily high of 87 degrees, but summer days in Pollock Pines can get as hot as the high 90s.
The best time to visit Pollock Pines is mid-June to mid-September before the snow and rain season begins.
Is There Snow in Pollock Pines?
According to BestPlaces, Pollock Pines sees an average of 42 inches of snow annually, which is well above the US average of 28 inches. The snowiest month is February, with an average of 4.6 inches.
How Much Does It Rain?
Pollock’s rainy season starts in September and ends in June. The wettest month is also February, with an average rainfall of 5.6 inches. The average annual rainfall is 52 inches.
- Fun fact: If you’re an avid gardener, Pollock Pines is in Sunset Zone 1A.
Things to Do in Pollock Pines
Shopping is limited in the CDP limits, but Hangtown Village Square and Prospector’s Plaza in Placerville are less than 15 miles away. This community is more popular for its natural attractions, parks, and hiking options—living in Pollock Pines, CA, means access to parks and community events galore! Here are the best things to do in Pollock Pines, CA.
Sly Park Recreation Area
Sly Park overlooks the beautiful Jenkinson Lake and has over 9 miles of hiking and biking trails to explore. Residents love exploring nature, bird-watching, fishing, boating, and more. Kayakers, canoers, and swimmers alike enjoy this crisp body of water. People from all over enjoy the park’s natural beauty.
4771 Sly Park Rd, Pollock Pines, CA 95726, (530) 295-6810
Pollock Pines Recreation Park – Pollock Pines Playground
This CDP recreation park provides ample space to enjoy any outdoor activity your children are interested in. Whether playing on the playground, fishing in the Long Canyon Forebay, or hiking the nearby trails, they’ll have fun exploring.
5581 Gail Dr, Pollock Pines, CA 95726, (530) 621-5360
Knotty Pine Lanes Family Fun Center
On those extra-cold snow days, you’ll need something to do with the family. While some are tough enough to be out in the elements, others prefer the comforts of sheltered activities.
Knotty Pines Lanes and Family Fun Center is one of the top things to do in Pollock Pines; there is mini golf, bowling, an arcade, and a bounce house to check out. You’ll utilize this activity plenty when living in Pollock Pines, CA.
2667 Sanders Dr # 1, Pollock Pines, CA 95726, (530) 644-5414
Additional Pollock Pines Things to Do
Pollock Pines Hiking
As you can see, living in Pollock Pines, CA, offers much to do, ffrom hiking and biking to bowling and museum hopping.
Pollock Pines Restaurants
The CDP isn’t known for having a specific type of food, but there are plenty of options!
50 Grand Restaurant and Bar
50 Grand is one the best restaurants in Pollock Pines, CA, per the 200+ positive reviews. Their menu consists of American fare such as burgers, salads, ribs, steaks, sandwiches and more. Their dishes are handmade, house-cut, and locally sourced.
6401 Pony Express Trail, Pollock Pines, CA 95726, (530) 644-1580
C&T’s Restaurant LLC
C&T’s is a town staple; its vast menu offers just about anything a hungry Pollock Pines resident would want. It’s a breakfast and brunch joint, with biscuits and gravy, country fried steak, and corned beef being its most popular dishes.
C & T’s restaurant, 6454 Pony Express Trail #37, Pollock Pines, CA 95726, (530) 644-0105
Pizza Factory
When you need your Italian food fix, Pizza Factory is the place to be. Their wings are one of their most beloved menu items, but the specialty pies and calzones aren’t far behind. This is one of the must-try restaurants in Pollock Pines.
6536 Pony Express Trail, Pollock Pines, CA 95726, (530) 647-1944
Jobs in Pollock Pines CA
The economy of Pollock Pines, California, employs 2,550 people, meaning much of its population commutes to other El Dorado County cities; the mean travel time to work for people living in Pollock Pines is 33.8 minutes. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for Pollock Pines’s County was 9,876,986 in 2022.
While there are many Pollock Pines jobs to consider, you may have better luck pursuing a career in the county’s leading industries: retail trade, healthcare & social assistance, or administrative & support & waste management. Or seek employment from El Dorado County’s major employers: Barton Health, Blue Shield of California, and Broadridge Financial Solutions.
People living in Pollock Pines earn good salaries. The average hourly rate is $20, and the average salary is $40,748. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the mean hourly wage in Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA, is $26.58, and the median hourly wage is $34.96.
Pollock Pines Schools
The Pollock Pines Elementary School District serves people living in the city of Pollock Pines.
Three public schools are within the city limits: Sierra Ridge Middle School, Pollock Pines Elementary School, and Pinewood Elementary School.
The student-to-teacher ratio here is 19:1, and 602 students are living in Pollock Pines, CA. All of the teachers are certified, and 87.8% have three or more years of experience working as teachers. According to U.S. News World Report, 48% of elementary school students in Pollock Pines are testing above proficiency level in reading, and 38% are more proficient in math. The district will spend around $12,334 annually on your child’s educational needs.
Additional Resources
The county provides additional educational resources to anyone residing in El Dorado County, which you can find at the Pollock Pines Library. There are hundreds of newly released books, various children’s programs & events, seasonal programs, book sales, and so much more!
If you have a child who would benefit from free monthly books, enroll them in the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program; all children under five living in Pollock Pines, CA., have access to free books they can keep forever!
Pollock Pines Statistics & Information
- County: El Dorado County
- Pollock Pines area: 7.960 square miles
- Pollock Pines zip code: 95726
- Pollock Pines area code: 530
- Pollock Pines elevation: 3,980
- Pollock Pines time zone: Pacific Time Zone (UTC-7 and -8)
- Closest airport to Pollock Pines: Reno-Tahoe International Airport is 42.6 miles from Pollock Pines
Map of Pollock Pines CA
Explore more to do with this Pollock Pines, CA, map.
Moving to Pollock Pines With Mother Lode Van & Storage
As you can see, living in Pollock Pines, CA, has so much to offer. From its natural beauty and perfect location, relocating is certainly the right choice for you. When you’re ready to make the leap, call our Pollock Pines movers at (916) 631-4285 for a free estimate.
