Chico, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chico, Texas had a total population of 1,512, the 852nd largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $75,739, which is 3% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
- Unemployment rate of 14.7% is notably above the national average.
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 | 1,174 | 1,512 | +28.8% |
| Median household income | $58,125 | $75,739 | +30.3% |
| Median home value | $160,300 | $170,300 | +6.2% |
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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 67 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Chico Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Wise County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur | 7,426 | $73,179 | 8.0% | $284,500 |
| Bridgeport | 6,331 | $96,037 | 2.1% | $253,500 |
| Aurora | 1,760 | $105,962 | 4.9% | $341,800 |
| Runaway Bay | 1,717 | $96,875 | 2.1% | $307,600 |
| Rhome | 1,699 | $101,167 | 4.3% | $260,100 |
| Boyd | 1,351 | $68,958 | 10.4% | $264,900 |
| Alvord | 1,294 | $68,674 | 8.0% | $212,500 |
| Paradise | 627 | $82,619 | 8.8% | $319,600 |
| Lake Bridgeport | 358 | $73,194 | 7.8% | $203,600 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geronimo | 1,507 | $72,045 | $245,500 | 18.3% | 12.7% |
| Lasara | 1,467 | N/A | $57,700 | 24.9% | 16.5% |
| Poth | 1,532 | $72,404 | $225,000 | 21.5% | 5.8% |
| Bruceville-Eddy | 1,584 | $76,154 | $180,200 | 15.9% | 12.6% |
| Lake Brownwood | 1,544 | $70,000 | $130,700 | 6.2% | 12.2% |
Population Overview
Chico is a small community located in Texas, within Wise County. The total population is 1,512. It ranks as the 852nd most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chico is 32.2 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 35.6 years. With 28.2% of the population under 18, Chico has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chico is $75,739. This is 3% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 6% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.5%. This is 24% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 14.7%. This is 179% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $170,300. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $283,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Chico is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chico is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (77.0% vs 39.1%). The Black or African American population (3.2%) is well below the state average of 11.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (16.9%) is well below the state average of 39.7%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 5.5%.
Education
14.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 59% lower than the state rate of 33.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chico, Texas 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 Texas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas. 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, Texas?
Chico, Texas has a population of 1,512 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chico, TX?
The median household income in Chico is $75,739, which is 6% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chico, TX?
The poverty rate in Chico is 10.5%. This means approximately 158 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chico, Texas?
Chico's population is 77.0% White, 3.2% Black, 16.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chico, TX?
The median home value in Chico is $170,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Chico, Texas?
14.0% of adults (25+) in Chico hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.