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CITY · 2010 ACS

Chico

California · 86,187 residents · 34.521 sq mi
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The short version

Chico has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $41,835. Population has grown 44% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $312,000. At a median age of 28.6, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 31% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 28.6
US median: 37.2
More educated
34% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 78%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
86,187
+44%since 2000
from 59,954 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,497 / sq mi
+44%since 2000
from 1,737 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
28.6
+10%since 2000
from 25.9 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
34K53K72K91K110K1990201020202024Chico
2024102K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$41,835
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,359 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,510
+39%since 2000
from $16,970 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
25.9%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 23.2% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
21.2%
−5.4 ptssince 2000
from 26.6% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.457
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information14.2%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade6%
US avg: 10.9%
Other services5.6%
US avg: 7%
Wholesale trade4.4%
US avg: 7.2%
Public administration3.6%
US avg: 4.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2.2%
US avg: 2.4%
Finance & insurance2%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical1.6%
US avg: 4.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction1.6%
US avg: 1.4%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$312,000
+78%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $138,600 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$901
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $594 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
31.0%
−9.4 ptssince 2000
from 40.4% in 2000
57.3% rent
Vacancy rate
10.0%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.6% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
36.9%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 35.3% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
61.1%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 63.2% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
7.5
+58%since 2000
from 4.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Chico on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic77.2%(46,258)
Black2%(1,174)
Hispanic / Latino12.3%(7,351)
Asian4.1%(2,488)
Other0%
Diversity Score41.1%(24,644)
2010
White, non-Hispanic73.7%(63,561)
Black1.9%(1,636)
Hispanic / Latino15.4%(13,315)
Asian4.2%(3,589)
Other5%(4,326)
Diversity Score53.9%(46,414)
Diversity Score
54
+31%since 2000
from 41 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
34.2%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 33.6% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
90.5%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 87.3% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
11.2%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 10.5% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.1 min
+42%since 2000
from 12.1 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
71.1%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 72.5% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
11.3%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
1.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
4.5%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
5.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 5.3% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
5.2%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 5.4% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
8.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
17.0%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 16.3% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
35.3%
−30.0 ptssince 2009
from 65.3% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
Female
51.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
Foreign born
8.8%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
8.9%
−39.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.1% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Chico

Davenport
Pop 100,358
Springfield
Pop 112,989
Clearwater
Pop 114,364
Pompano Beach
Pop 117,211
Places similar to Chico
Head to head

Compare Chico to nearby cities

CHICO VS
Paradise
Income$67,687+62%
Home value$416,000+33%
Population10,023−90%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHICO VS
Orland
Income$64,945+55%
Home value$342,200+10%
Population8,381−92%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHICO VS
Corning
Income$56,627+35%
Home value$313,100same
Population8,260−92%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHICO VS
Oroville
Income$52,270+25%
Home value$311,600same
Population20,451−81%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Chico, California?

Chico, California has about 86,187 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Chico, California?

The typical household in Chico, California earns about $41,835 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Chico, California expensive?

In Chico, California, the median home is worth about $312,000, and the typical rent is about $901 a month.

How educated are people in Chico, California?

About 34.2% of adults age 25 and over in Chico, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Chico, California?

About 21.2% of people in Chico, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Chico, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Chico, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 46,108 residents, a change of about 115 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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