# Pinole, California

Pinole (Spanish for "cornmeal") is a city in Contra Costa County, California, United States. Its population was 19,022 at the 2020 census.

## History

The Huchiun tribe lived in the region. In 1823, Ygnacio Martínez, commandant of the Presidio of San Francisco, received a land grant of Rancho El Pinole from the Mexican government. Martinez built a hacienda in Pinole Valley; this is land encompassed by Pinole Valley Park. During the 1850s, Bernardo Fernandez, a Portuguese immigrant, started a trading facility on the shores of San Pablo Bay. He built Fernandez Mansion, a historic building that still stands today at the end of Tennent Avenue. From these early beginnings, a small but thriving community developed into the city of Pinole.
The settlement's growth was stimulated by construction of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1878 and the establishment of the California Powder Works in nearby Hercules. During this period, the city had an active waterfront and was a regional hub of commerce and banking. The first post office opened in 1878 when the railroad reached the community. The City of Pinole was incorporated in 1903.
During the post-World War II boom, Pinole and the surrounding area grew rapidly. Construction of Interstate 80 in 1958 stimulated developers to build new housing to satisfy demand, and the town evolved as a suburban bedroom community within the San Francisco/Oakland commuter belt. Much of its original industry was displaced during this time, and the town became predominantly residential.
Today, the town is locally known for its "big-box" shopping store district along Fitzgerald Drive, and Pinole Vista Shopping Center, which is contiguous with Richmond's Hilltop area. The downtown area still retains much of its turn-of-the-century building stock. The city's development agency is working to preserve this historic area as a tourist and community destination.

## Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.6 square miles (35 km$^2$), of which 8.3 square miles (21 km$^2$) (60.79%) are covered by water. The city of Pinole has habitat areas that support the endangered species Santa Cruz tarweed on the California coastal prairie ecosystem. A colony of this rare plant was discovered during preparation of an environmental impact report for a proposed shopping center on the east side of I-80 in the late 1980s. Subsequently, a plan was developed by the city to conduct replanting of this tarweed on the slopes within the right-of-way of the interstate. Also running through the city is Pinole Creek.

## Demographics
### 2010

At the 2010 census, Pinole had a population of 18,390. The population density was 1,354.7 inhabitants per square mile (523.1/km$^2$). The racial makeup of Pinole was 8,488 (46.2%) White, 2,458 (13.4%) African American, 147 (0.8%) Native American, 4,220 (22.9%) Asian, 64 (0.3%) Pacific Islander, 1,741 (9.5%) from other races, and 1,272 (6.9%) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 4,005 persons (21.8%).
The census reported that 18,322 people (99.6% of the population) lived in households, 53 (0.3%) lived in noninstitutionalized group quarters, and 15 (0.1%) were institutionalized.
Of the 6,775 households, 32.5% had children under 18 living in them, 51.7% were opposite-sex married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, 4.8% were unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 1.1% were same-sex married couples or partnerships. About 22.6% were one person and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.70. There were 4,875 families (72.0% of households); the average family size was 3.19.
The age distribution was 20.5% under 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 31.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% were 65 or older. The median age was 42.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 87.0 males.
The 7,158 housing units had an average density of 527.3 units per square mile (203.6 units/km$^2$), of which 6,775 were occupied, 71.7% by the owners and 28.3% by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5%; the rental vacancy rate was 8.0%. About 71.8% of the population lived in owner-occupied housing units and 27.8% lived in rental housing units.

### 2000

At the 2000 census, 19,039 people lived in 6,743 households, including 5,057 families, in the city. The population density was 1,413.7/km$^2$ (3,661/sq mi). The 6,828 housing units had an average density of 507.0/km$^2$ (1,313/sq mi). The racial makeup of the city was 54.39% White, 11.11% Black or African American, 0.57% Native American, 21.71% Asian, 0.37% Pacific Islander, 5.81% from other races, and 6.03% from two or more races. About 13.75% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race. Of the 6,743 households, 34.8% had children under 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.0% were not families. About 20.2% of households were one person, and 7.9% were one person 65 or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.23.
The age distribution was 25.0% under 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.
The median household income was $62,256 and the median family income was $70,172. Males had a median income of $47,335 versus $38,019 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,170. About 3.5% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.5% of those under 18 and 8.0% of those 65 or over.

## Arts and culture

The Pinole Community Players have been performing in Pinole since 1986.

## Government

On February 10, 2019, Pinole has 11,347 registered voters. Of those, 56.1% are registered Democrats, 13.4% are registered Republicans, and 26.4% have declined to state a political party.

## Notable people

* Billie Joe Armstrong (b. 1972) and Mike Dirnt of Green Day attended Pinole Valley High School
* Travis Feeney (b. 1992), professional football player, went to Pinole Valley High School
* Bernardo Fernandez (1828 – 1912), was an early leader in the town's cattle industry
* Gary Holt (b. 1964), member of the thrash metal band Exodus, lives in Pinole.
* Ray Kremer (1893–1965), former professional baseball player, was born in Oakland, California, and retired in Pinole.
* Brad Lackey (b. 1953) was the 1982 Motocross World Champion.
* Gino Torretta (b. 1970), the 1992 Heisman Trophy winner, attended Pinole Valley High School.