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Chico, CA

Population: 89,377

64

Key findings

Chico has a Livability Score of 64_/100, which is considered below average
Chico crime rates are 2% lower than the California average
Cost of living in Chico is 16% lower than the California average
Chico real estate prices are 34% lower than the California average
Rental prices in Chico are 26% lower than the California average

Best Places to Live in and Around Chico

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Compare Chico, CA Livability

What do the locals think about Chico?

33%Family friendly 50%Public transit is accessible 47%Walkable to grocery stores 27%Yards are well-kept 73%Lots of parks 47%Walkable to restaurants 40%Friendly neighbors 17%Safe at night 53%Pet friendly 60%Streets have sidewalks 17%A quiet area 50%Sense of community

Based on 30 votes from AreaVibes users. See all Chico poll results.

Chico Real estate & Rental prices

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Chico Demographics

Population89,377 Median Age29.8 Have Kids (under 18)46%

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Top Rated Schools in Chico

Name	Grades	Students	Proficiency
Wildflower Open Classroom	KG - 8	166	n/a
Marigold Elementary School	KG - 5	486	n/a
Bidwell Junior High	6 - 8	968	n/a
Fair View High (Continuation)	9 - 12	145	n/a
Little Chico Creek Elementary School	KG - 5	469	n/a
Core Butte Charter	KG - 12	802	n/a
Nord Country	KG - 8	181	n/a
Rosedale Elementary School	KG - 5	539	n/a

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Chico Reviews

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Review Chico

CHICO- Haven For Homeless Heroin Addicts

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Attractions1/10

Community1/10

Nightlife3/10

Dining4/10

Shopping3/10

It's a sad, sad shame that this once beautiful and safe town has been reduced to such a high-crime, dirty, homeless refuge.
Our once clean and safe parks are filled with heroin and meth-addicted homeless, a huge number of which are felons and mentally ill persons. They fill the malls, streets, alleys, and plazas with incessant begging and littering, while they openly urinate and defecate in public. The violent crime in Chico has increased so much that a lot of it is not getting reported, as the Police are understaffed, and their hands tied by the Progressive City Council.

Housing is at a critical shortage, driving Real Estate prices to un-affordable heights.
The College there has an exceptionally LOW reputation, and is incredibly overpriced.
Even though it's a "small, NorCal town," it has become every bit as bad as the rest of the state- horrible 2A laws, the highest taxes in all 50 states, horrible living conditions, and is run by bleeding-heart Liberals who value illegal aliens and criminals over law-abiding taxpayers.

It saddens me to see what Chico has become.

29 -8

Good place with a few flaws

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Attractions6/10

Community7/10

Nightlife8/10

Dining10/10

Shopping10/10

Pros: -Farmers market is awesome, -big Chico creek is there to cool off in the summer, -Sacramento river and feather River nearby for striper and salmon fishing, -restaurants are reasonably priced and actually one of the best restaurants I've ever been to is here called Leon's bistro(and the taco trucks are on point)-reasonably priced rental housingCons: -homeless people here are coming from susanville (worst of the worst) and obviously meth is a big factor-Summer and early autumn is ungodly hot with temperatures in the nineties and hundreds for months on end, -you're 4.5 hours drive from the nearest ocean-your air conditioning bill will be outrageously high add 200 bucks to normal electric bill in hot months if you want to be comfortable

7 -8

Has gone downhill FAST

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Attractions2/10

Community1/10

Nightlife4/10

Dining5/10

Shopping3/10

Chico used to be such a nice little town, up until around 15 years ago. It's always had a few problems with the local "College kids" getting drunk, stoned, and rowdy, but crime has now skyrocketed.We have huge problems with the army of homeless bums here. Heroin use is through the roof, and used needles and human feces can be found in pretty much every single park and homeless area. Meth use has quadrupled in just 2 years, and property theft and violence rose accordingly. Worst of all, marijuana growers and cartels have infested the surrounding foothills, and they are destroying our pristine environment at an alarming rate.The city is now a major hub for the most rabid of Liberals, and our once safe and clean streets have turned into a filthy, homeless-filled, graffitti-marked nightmare. Our Colleges have turned into Socialistic gulags bent on turning our kids into Marxists.I am currently in the process of moving out of Chico, California, and into the sane, clean, safe, affordable state of Nevada.

24 -8

You'll Be Surprised at the Quaint Town of Chico, CA

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Attractions7/10

Community7/10

Nightlife7/10

Dining7/10

Shopping8/10

Prior to visiting Chico, California in May of 2009, for a wedding, I didn't have very high expectations. However, I was pleasantly surprised upon visiting this California town, at what a quaint hidden gem it was. We stayed at the Diamond Hotel, for the wedding at it was one of the nicest establishments I have stayed at, truly a five-star resort experience. The hotel is located near the downtown area which is clean, and full of tons of little shops and restaurants, that are in no way touristy. If you're looking for a meal you won't soon forget, visit the Spice Creek Cafe, they provide interesting combinations of foods and unique takes on classic dishes, to serve up delectable meals you won't soon forget.

Another great thing about Chico is the amount of city parks and greenery in the area. Bidwell Park was our favorite. There are also a good amount of quality golf courses, that all of the men in our party really enjoyed. If you are a beer drinker, you must visit Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, it is a great overall experience and they have fantastic beers available to enjoy or sample. It is truly a must-see when in Chico!

3 -15

Source: The Chico, CA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the 2016 United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).