Chico, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chico, California had a total population of 102,188, the 74th largest city in California, with a median household income of $66,977, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Chico Quick Facts
How Chico Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,032 | 102,188 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $67,929 | $66,977 | -1.4% |
| Median home value | $455,300 | $468,100 | +2.8% |
How Chico Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Chico Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Butte County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oroville | 19,752 | $52,270 | 21.4% | $311,600 |
| Oroville East | 7,504 | $94,512 | 8.7% | $405,400 |
| Paradise | 7,392 | $67,687 | 18.2% | $416,000 |
| Magalia | 7,389 | $56,920 | 11.8% | $280,600 |
| Gridley | 7,330 | $57,974 | 17.9% | $312,800 |
| Thermalito | 6,720 | $54,865 | 20.4% | $254,900 |
| Durham | 5,340 | $95,417 | 10.2% | $700,100 |
| Palermo | 5,266 | $50,588 | 20.2% | $283,000 |
| South Oroville | 2,846 | $65,409 | 33.7% | $261,500 |
| Kelly Ridge | 2,825 | $54,631 | 12.3% | $277,600 |
Cities Similar to Chico
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Cajon | 104,449 | $67,511 | $681,700 | 23.0% | 20.5% |
| El Monte | 106,109 | $68,030 | $644,000 | 15.2% | 17.4% |
| Hesperia | 100,775 | $72,160 | $409,000 | 11.9% | 17.0% |
| Inglewood | 104,569 | $72,750 | $792,800 | 25.2% | 14.6% |
| East Los Angeles | 111,647 | $68,741 | $643,100 | 11.4% | 17.3% |
Population Overview
Chico is a major urban center located in California, within Butte County. The total population is 102,188. It ranks as the 74th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chico is 31.1 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chico is $66,977. This is 32% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.7%. This is 89% 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 6.8%. This is 2% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $468,100. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.0x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 43.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chico is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (64.6% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (5.2%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
42.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 14% higher than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chico, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,570 Census-designated places in California. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Chico, California?
Chico, California has a population of 102,188 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chico, CA?
The median household income in Chico is $66,977, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chico, CA?
The poverty rate in Chico is 22.7%. This means approximately 22,473 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chico, California?
Chico's population is 64.6% White, 2.2% Black, 20.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chico, CA?
The median home value in Chico is $468,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.0x.
How educated is Chico, California?
42.2% of adults (25+) in Chico hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.