Chico City Demographics

Chico, located in Butte County, California, has a population of approximately 101,000 residents. The median age is about 28 years, reflecting its status as a college town. Gender distribution is nearly even, with 50.7% female and 49.3% male. Racially, Chico is 73% White, 17% Hispanic or Latino, 7% Asian, 2% Black or African American, and about 5% from other or mixed backgrounds, according to recent census estimates.

Education in Chico City

Chico, in Butte County, CA, is served by Chico Unified School District, featuring 4 public high schools and several private options. The city has approximately 23 K–12 schools, with an average GreatSchools rating of 6/10. California State University, Chico, enrolls about 15,000 undergraduates, and 34% of Chico residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Adult education is offered at the Chico Adult School, serving around 1,000 adults annually. Chico schools prioritize safety with district-wide security measures and offer diverse programs such as STEM, Advanced Placement, arts, and vocational training.

Chico City Healthcare

Chico, located in Butte County, CA, is served by major facilities including Enloe Medical Center (298 beds), several urgent care clinics, and specialty practices. The city’s 2023 population is roughly 102,000, with about 10% uninsured. Access to care is supported by 400+ healthcare providers. Patient demographics are 71% White, 18% Hispanic, median age 31. Common health concerns include diabetes, substance use disorder, and mental health. Enloe’s ER logs over 45,000 visits/year. Medi-Cal covers ~33% of residents, and Medicare 14%. Despite resources, rural Butte County averages only 1 physician per 1,400 people.

Chico City Housing

Chico, Butte County, CA, has a homeownership rate of about 45% with a median home price around $410,000 as of early 2024. The median rent is approximately $1,400/month. Popular neighborhoods include California Park, The Avenues, and Meriam Park, offering a mix of single-family homes, apartments, and townhouses. Home values grew roughly 4% year-over-year. Property tax rates average 1.1% of assessed value. Despite cost increases post-2018 Camp Fire, Chico remains relatively affordable compared to California averages, attracting both families and students from nearby California State University, Chico.

Transportation in Chico City

Chico, Butte County, CA features a transportation network primarily reliant on personal vehicles, with approximately 75% of commuters driving alone and a vehicle ownership rate near 92%. Public transit options include B-Line bus service, utilized by around 2% of commuters. The average commute time is about 17.8 minutes, well below the national average. Key transportation infrastructure includes highways like State Route 99 and a downtown transit center. Major employment hubs are California State University, Chico, Enloe Medical Center, and the Chico Unified School District. Biking and walking are also common, especially near the university.

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