City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Chico, CA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Chico - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

102,032
Residents
$67,929
Median income
$455,300
Median home
$1,625
Median rent (state)

Chico - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Chico lands in the 47th percentile for household income and the 21st percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

47th
percentile, household income
82nd
percentile, home value
64th
percentile, median rent
21st
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Chico, CA

California's Chico is a mid-sized U.S. city, with 102,032 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Chico brings in $67,929 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 12.6%. Typical homes in Chico are valued around $455,300, and the median resident age is 31.0 years. Educational attainment runs 41.3% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 61.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 231 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 72% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2597.4 in FBI UCR data, near the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

California carries a cost-of-living premium: the state registers 110.7 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Above Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,625 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in California run around $275, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 93.9 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

102,032 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$67,929 /yr

Poverty 12.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Chico compare to other US cities?

Where Chico sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 47% higher than other cities
Home value 82% pricier than other cities
Median rent 64% pricier than other cities
Safety 21% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to California alone, Chico ranks #323 of 441 California cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Chico's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in California, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

47thIncome percentile
21stSafety percentile

47th percentile nationally for median household income · 21st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Chico's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Chico's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 32 Avg. percentile National median
Chico's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Chico's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$455,300 18th percentile more affordable than 18% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Chico $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Chico, CA Chico, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Chico, CA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Chico, CA median $67,929/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Chico, CA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Chico, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 41.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 61.6%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
102,032
Median Income
$67,929
Median Home Value
$455,300
Median Age
31.0
Poverty Rate
12.6%
Labor force participation
61.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
41.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2597.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
699.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1898.2
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
33
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
100,000 residents102,000 residents104,000 residents106,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 104,022 residents 105,081 residents ▲ +1.0%
Chico's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
231
housing units authorized
Single-Family
58
detached homes
Multifamily
173
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 822
2020 497
2021 769
2022 804
2023 215
2024 231

Permit volume decreased 72% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
69.8%
Carpool
9.6%
Public Transit
0.9%
Walk
3.5%
Work from Home
12.2%
Other
4.0%

Based on 50,904 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for California - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$150
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$70
avg/month
Total Utilities
$275
estimated/month

Estimates reflect California state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a California state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Chico sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,625/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
93.9 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Vacaville
102,085 people
Daly City
102,560 people
Norwalk
100,713 people
San Mateo
103,555 people
Rialto
103,866 people
Hesperia
100,141 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Chico's 102,032 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Wichita Falls, TX
102,558 people
Edinburg, TX
102,561 people
Lee's Summit, MO
102,583 people
Bend, OR
101,472 people
Highlands Ranch, CO
101,437 people
Quincy, MA
101,361 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Chico's $67,929 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Sunrise Lake, PA
$67,933 median income
West York, PA
$67,938 median income
Sharpes, FL
$67,917 median income
Allenville, IL
$67,917 median income
Broadlands, IL
$67,917 median income
Irvington, IL
$67,917 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Chico, CA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Chico, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 72.3% 6.9% 12.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 20.7% White 72.3% Black or African American 2.0% Asian 5.2% American Indian 1.0% Native Hawaiian 0.5% Some other race 6.9% Two or more races 12.2% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Chico compares to nearby California cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Chico (this city) 102,032 $67,929
Vacaville 102,085 $108,580
Daly City 102,560 $119,570
Norwalk 100,713 $98,709
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Chico, CA?

What is the population of Chico, CA? +

Chico, CA counts 102,032 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Chico, CA? +

Chico households earn a median of $67,929 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Chico? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Chico; the closest available measure is the California state average, a cost of living index of 110.7 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within California vary by metro area.

Is Chico, CA safe? +

Chico has a total crime rate of 2597.4 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Chico, CA? +

Homes in Chico carry a median value of $455,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.