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METRO AREA · 2010 ACS

Chico Metro

Chico, CA · 1 counties · 220,000 residents · 1,636.49 sq mi
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The short version

Chico has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $43,170. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $265,400.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Mid-age
median age 37.2
US median: 37.2
Average education
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 80%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
220,000
+8%since 2000
from 203,171 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
134 / sq mi
+8%since 2000
from 124 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
37.2
+4%since 2000
from 35.8 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
178K191K205K218K232K1990201020202024Chico
2024208K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,170
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,924 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,404
+34%since 2000
from $17,517 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
26.1%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 25.1% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
18.4%
−1.4 ptssince 2000
from 19.8% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.449
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information12.4%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade6.7%
US avg: 7.2%
Retail trade6.7%
US avg: 10.9%
Other services5.1%
US avg: 7%
Finance & insurance3.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Public administration3.2%
US avg: 4.9%
Construction3.1%
US avg: 1.4%
Professional, scientific, technical2.5%
US avg: 4.2%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food1.7%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services1.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$265,400
+80%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $116,200 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$861
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $563 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
38.5%
−22.2 ptssince 2000
from 60.7% in 2000
41.8% rent
Vacancy rate
10.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
36.0%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 35.3% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
57.1%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 57.8% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
6.1
+69%since 2000
from 3.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Chico on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic80%(162,564)
Black1.3%(2,699)
Hispanic / Latino10.5%(21,339)
Asian3.3%(6,676)
Other0%
Diversity Score34.9%(70,854)
2010
White, non-Hispanic75.2%(165,416)
Black1.4%(3,133)
Hispanic / Latino14.1%(31,116)
Asian4.1%(8,921)
Other5%(11,059)
Diversity Score51%(112,302)
Diversity Score
51
+46%since 2000
from 35 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.1%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 21.8% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
85.7%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 82.3% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
8.1%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 7.0% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.8 min
+46%since 2000
from 14.3 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
75.4%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 76.0% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
10.8%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 10.0% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
1.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
5.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.4% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
3.7%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
2.6%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
7.1%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
17.0%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 16.5% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
33.6%
−29.7 ptssince 2009
from 63.3% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.5%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
Female
50.5%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
Foreign born
7.9%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.8% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
12.3%
−36.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
In this metro

Principal cities

ChicoCENTRAL105,081
What's inside

1 component county

Butte CountyCENTRAL209,211
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Chico

Elkhart
Pop 208,774
Jacksonville
Pop 217,175
Punta Gorda
Pop 217,212
Athens
Pop 224,148
Places similar to Chico
Head to head

Compare Chico side by side

CHICO VS
Elkhart
Income$68,561+59%
Home value$210,400−21%
Population208,774same
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHICO VS
Jacksonville
Income$68,148+58%
Home value$236,400−11%
Population217,175+4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHICO VS
Punta Gorda
Income$69,952+62%
Home value$328,900+24%
Population217,212+4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHICO VS
Athens
Income$69,695+61%
Home value$314,999+19%
Population224,148+7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Chico, CA?

Chico, CA has about 220,000 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Chico, CA?

The typical household in Chico, CA earns about $43,170 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Chico, CA expensive?

In Chico, CA, the median home is worth about $265,400, and the typical rent is about $861 a month.

How educated are people in Chico, CA?

About 24.1% of adults age 25 and over in Chico, CA hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Chico, CA?

About 18.4% of people in Chico, CA live below the federal poverty line.

Has Chico, CA grown since 1990?

Yes, Chico, CA has grown since 1990. The population has added about 37,880 residents, a change of about 21 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

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