Chico city, California Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Chico city is a major urban center located in California. The total population is 102,032. It ranks as the 75th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Chico city is 31.0 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Chico city is $67,929. This is 29% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 14% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.1%. This is 84% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.6%. This is 2% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $455,300. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 44.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Chico city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (65.7% vs 34.6%). The Black or African American population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Asian population (4.9%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.

Education

41.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 13% higher than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Chico city, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,577 Census-designated places in California. For official data, visit data.census.gov.