Rated “Best Place to Reboot Your Life”

Chico embodies a combination of urban and rural assets that make it a destination place to live, work and play.

University and College

CSU, Chico and Butte College make Chico a learning community with a rich culture and young spirit. The university, with its brick-and-ivy décor and meandering creek, in the heart of downtown Chico, inspires creativity and critical thinking. Higher Education and Training.

Outdoor Access

With 172 days of sun, you will have plenty of time to enjoy Chico's beautiful natural setting with parks, rivers, and quick access to hiking, skiing, boating, hunting and fishing in the foothills on the weekend.

Family Life

Chico is an affordable place to raise your family without compromising on the factors important to your family. There is a strong school system, well-regarded medical community, and a high level of public safety.

Work Life

With a 12-minute average commute time, work is not something you go away to—it's part of your lifestyle. Access to global markets is convenient through commercial air service at Chico Municipal Airport and Sacramento International Airport (90 miles south).

Downtown

Historic downtown Chico is sprinkled with murals, art benches, and the award-winning City Plaza park. You'll find many locally owned businesses and restaurants, ranging from quick bites to fine dining that rivals any metro area.

Cost of Living

Chico provides ready access to large metropolitan areas like the San Francisco Bay Area without the expensive cost of living. In fact, San Francisco's cost of living is 69.5% higher than Chico's. Lower housing costs are a major contributing factor to this lower cost lifestyle.

Housing

Affordable housing is a big advantage in Chico, and the range of styles within a 5-mile radius is equally attractive, including:

• Established neighborhoods within walking distance of downtown and Bidwell Park.
• Luxurious executive homes at a fraction of Bay Area prices.
• New urban developments integrating homes, parks, and commercial districts.
• Energy-efficient, solar-powered neighborhood.

Healthcare

Chico is a hub for healthcare in the North State. Enloe Medical Center is in the midst of a major expansion that will add 140 beds, new emergency and surgical departments and two new intensive care units. The hospital also offers a variety of healthy lifestyle classes to promote preventative care.

K-12 Education

Most Chico schools have shown continuing improvements in annual test scores, and Expansion Management magazine gave Chico a 5-star rating in its education quotient. In addition to the neighborhood elementary schools, Chico Unified School District also offers:

• Academics Plus K-6 program
• Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)
• Open Structure K-8 program
• Spanish Immersion K-8 program

The high schools offer a variety of specialized programs, such as:

• Academy For Communications And Technology
• Advanced Placement Courses (English, Literature, U.S. history, biology, integrated mathematics, calculus, statistics, studio art, advanced languages, and chemistry)
• Business Technology Certificate Career Pathways
• Culinary Art and Hospitality Pathway
• International Baccalaureate

See Also: Higher Education and Training

Arts & Culture

All the arts are alive and well in Chico as demonstrated by the fact that Chico was included as #10 in the book "The 100 Best Art Towns in America."

Recreation

Whether you want a serious workout, a leisurely day golfing or a scenic hike through Bidwell Park, Chico offers plenty of indoor and outdoor recreation. If watching sports is more your thing, Chico State and Butte College have a plethora of sporting events year round.

Climate

One thing residents say they like about Chico is our four distinct seasons. While the summers are hot, the winters are relatively mild. With 172 days of sun, weather will almost never impede traffic to and from your business.

Population

86,949 (City limits)
107,000 (Urban area);
220,407 (Butte County)
Official City of Chico Demographics