At a Glance
Median Income
$67,929
$38,201 per capita
Home Value
$455,300
Zillow: $460,839
Median Rent
$1,442/mo
36.8% of income on rent
Violent Crime
711/100K
1,959/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
41.3%
93.2% high school+
Unemployment
6.6%
12.6% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
30.2%
13.0% smoking rate
How Chico Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Chico's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Chico a Good Place to Live?
C+
2.9 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Chico residents earn a median household income of $67,929 , which is 10% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $38,201. The unemployment rate stands at 6.6% (83% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 12.6% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 9,029 business establishments, including 457 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Chico is $455,300 , 62% above the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $460,839. Median rent is $1,442/month, with 36.8% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 110.7 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1983.
Safety & Crime
Chico reports 711 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 87% above the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 1,959/100K. The murder rate is 2.0/100K.
Education
41.3% of adults in Chico hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(23% above the national average).
93.2% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.5/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Chico has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C).
Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 27.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 46.
Data Overview
People
Population102,032
Median Age31.0 yrs
Density2,969/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Foreign Born8.1%
Veterans4.6%
Economy
B
Median Income$67,929
Per Capita$38,201
Unemployment6.6%
Poverty12.6%
County GDP$12,901M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,106
Housing
C+
Home Value$455,300
Rent$1,442
Ownership44.3%
Zillow$460,839
Housing Units45,570
Rent Burden36.8%
Crime
F
Violent711/100K
Property1,959/100K
Murder2.0/100K
Assault482/100K
Burglary211/100K
Health
Obesity30.2%
Diabetes9.3%
Smoking13.0%
Heart Disease5.3%
Premature Death9,316/100K
Climate
Avg Temp62°F
Rain27.4 in/yr
AQI46 (Good)
Elevation236 ft
Education
A
Bachelor's+41.3%
High School+93.2%
Graduate+14.3%
School Score4.5/10
Community
2024 VoteR 50% / D 47%
Commute17 min
Broadband93.0%
Internet Speed109 Mbps
EV Stations49
Libraries7
Did You Know?
Chico was founded in 1860.
The median home in Chico was built in 1983.
The nearest airport is Chico Regional (5 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.483 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
14.5% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 109 Mbps.
There are 457 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 31 fatal vehicle crashes.
364 declared natural disasters on record.