Living in Chico
Small-Town Living with a Twist
Chico is a beautiful and fun place to live. The largest city in Butte County, Chico is home to more than 100,000 residents and nearly 20,000 students during the academic school year.
Chico is a cultural, economic and educational center of the northern Sacramento Valley. It is home to California State University, Chico, and Bidwell Park, the country’s third-largest municipal park, so there's plenty of space to hike, bike and explore.
The university offers a variety of cultural and entertainment amenities. The city’s downtown is filled with unique, independent retail shops and restaurants, and the weekend Farmers Market is a local favorite.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., which began in Chico, is another fun attraction. Enjoy weekend getaways? Several weekend destinations, including Lake Tahoe, Napa Valley and San Francisco, are just a short drive away.
Our Schools
Chico has an excellent public school system. In addition to the full complement of athletic options, schools in the area offer advance placement classes, a chance for high-school seniors to experience college through Butte College's College Connection program, academic programs like the Young Scholars and International Baccalaureate, and more.
Our Surrounding Areas
Butte County is filled with great hiking, boating, camping, hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities. Splendor surrounds us. That’s why Butte County is known as the “Land of Natural Wealth and Beauty.”
Oroville Dam, the tallest earthen dam in the U.S., also resides in Butte County and is only a 30-minute drive from Chico in Oroville, Calif. The dam holds Lake Oroville, the second-largest man-made lake in the state. Oroville is also home to Butte College, a two-year institution fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Agriculture thrives in Butte County, fueling a passion for “buy local” movements and food and wine events.
Few places sprout palm and pine trees, but that’s exactly what you’ll find here. With a Mediterranean-like climate, the sun shines nearly 300 days a year in Chico. The city experiences all four seasons, though the average daily high in winter is 54 degrees. Summers are warm and temperatures can exceed 100 degrees.
Important Numbers
- Annual precipitation: 28 inches
- Elevation: 243 feet
- Sales tax: 7.25%
- Average home sale price: $460,000 (3bd, 2ba)
To learn more about Chico, visit www.chicochamber.com.
