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CITY · 2020 ACS

Chico

California · 101,475 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 $57,357. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 69% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $349,300. At a median age of 33.2, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 22.4% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 27% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 33.2
US median: 38.8
More educated
38% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 68%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
101,475
+69%since 2000
from 59,954 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,940 / sq mi
+69%since 2000
from 1,737 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
33.2
+28%since 2000
from 25.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
34K53K72K91K110K1990201020202024Chico
2024102K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$57,357
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,359 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,337
+85%since 2000
from $16,970 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
38.7%
+15.5 ptssince 2009
from 23.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
22.4%
−4.2 ptssince 2000
from 26.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information14.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services5.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Retail trade5.2%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade4.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance3.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Arts, entertainment, food3%
US avg: 2%
Public administration3%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical2.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services1.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$349,300
+68%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $138,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,145
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $594 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
43.2%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 40.4% in 2000
56.8% rent
Afford Score
6.1
+29%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic65.4%(66,361)
Black1.8%(1,822)
Hispanic / Latino20.3%(20,638)
Asian4.3%(4,349)
Other4.9%(5,010)
Diversity Score61.8%(62,667)
Diversity Score
62
+50%since 2000
from 41 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
38.5%
+4.9 ptssince 2000
from 33.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.6%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 87.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
13.7%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 10.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.2 min
+43%since 2000
from 12.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
73.8%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 72.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.5%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.3%
−4.9 ptssince 2011
from 12.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
66.0%
+2.1 ptssince 2011
from 63.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
41.4%
−24.0 ptssince 2009
from 65.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.6%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
Female
51.4%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
Foreign born
7.7%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.6%
−76.9 ptssince 2013
from 83.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Chico

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Pop 100,358
Springfield
Pop 112,989
Clearwater
Pop 114,364
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Pop 117,211
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Head to head

Compare Chico to nearby cities

CHICO VS
Paradise
Income$67,687+18%
Home value$416,000+19%
Population10,023−90%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHICO VS
Orland
Income$64,945+13%
Home value$342,200−2%
Population8,381−92%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHICO VS
Corning
Income$56,627−1%
Home value$313,100−10%
Population8,260−92%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHICO VS
Oroville
Income$52,270−9%
Home value$311,600−11%
Population20,451−81%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Chico, California?

Chico, California has about 101,475 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Chico, California?

The typical household in Chico, California earns about $57,357 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 $349,300, and the typical rent is about $1,145 a month.

How educated are people in Chico, California?

About 38.5% 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 22.4% 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 61,396 residents, a change of about 153 percent over that period.

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

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