The first known inhabitants of the area now known as Chico—a Spanish word meaning "little"[11] — were theMechoopdaMaidu Native Americans. Within the boundaries of modern day Chico, there existed a Maidu village, whose name was recorded asBah-hahp'-ke, meaning "straight tree".[12]
The City of Chico was founded in 1860 byJohn Bidwell, a member of one of the first wagon trains to reach California in 1843. During theAmerican Civil War,Camp Bidwell (named for John Bidwell, by then abrigadier general of theCalifornia Militia), was established a mile outside Chico, by Lt. Col. A. E. Hooker with a company of cavalry and two of infantry, on August 26, 1863.[13]
By early 1865, it was being referred to as Camp Chico when a post called Camp Bidwell was established in northeast California, later to beFort Bidwell.[14] The city was incorporated on January 8, 1872.[15]
Chico was home to a significantChinese American community when it was first incorporated, but arsonists burned Chico's Chinatown in February 1886, driving Chinese Americans out of town.[16][17]
Historian W.H. "Old Hutch" Hutchinson identified five events as the most seminal in Chico history. They included the arrival of John Bidwell in 1850, the arrival of theCalifornia and Oregon Railroad in 1870, the establishment in 1887 of the Northern Branch of the State Normal School, which later becameCalifornia State University, Chico (Chico State), the purchase of the Sierra Lumber Company by theDiamond Match Company in 1900, and the development of the Army Air Base, which is now theChico Municipal Airport.[18]
Other events include the construction and relocation ofRoute 99E through town in the early 1960s, the founding ofSierra Nevada Brewing Company in 1979—what would become one of the top breweries in the nation[19]—and the establishment of a "Green Line" on the western city limits as protection of agricultural lands.[20]
Chico is at the Sacramento Valley's northeast edge, one of the richest agricultural areas in the world. TheSierra Nevada mountains lie to the east and south, with Chico's city limits venturing several miles into the foothills. To the west, theSacramento River lies 5 miles (8 km) from the city.[21]
Chico sits on theSacramento Valley floor close to the foothills of theCascade Range to the north and the Sierra Nevada range to the east and south.Big Chico Creek is the demarcation line between the ranges.[22] The city's terrain is generally flat, with increasingly hilly terrain beginning at the eastern city limits.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 34.3 square miles (89 km2), of which 34.1 square miles (88 km2) is land and 0.50% is water.
The city is bisected byBidwell Park, which runs 5 miles (8 km) from the flat city center deep into the foothills.
The city is also traversed by two creeks and a flood channel, which feeds the Sacramento River. They are named Big Chico Creek,Little Chico Creek, and Lindo Channel (also known as Sandy Gulch, locally).
Temperatures can rise well above 100 °F (38 °C) in the summer. Chico is one of the top metropolitan areas in the nation for number of clear days.[25]
Winters are cool and wet, with the greatest rainfall occurring in January and February. July is usually the hottest month, with an average high temperature of 94 °F (34 °C) and an average low temperature of 61 °F (16 °C). January is the coolest month, with an average high temperature of 55 °F (13 °C) and an average low temperature of 35 °F (2 °C). The average annual rainfall is 27 inches (690 mm).Tule fog is sometimes present during the autumn and winter months.[26] Snow occasionally falls in the hills east of Chico, but has become quite rare in Chico itself; as of 2024, measurable snow has not occurred in Chico since December 1988.[27]
Climate data for Chico, California (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1906–present)
Chico, California – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
The census reported that 96.7% of the population lived in households, 2.7% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0.6% were institutionalized.[35]
There were 41,887 households, out of which 25.4% included children under the age of 18, 34.3% were married-couple households, 9.7% werecohabiting couple households, 32.7% had a female householder with no partner present, and 23.3% had a male householder with no partner present. 31.7% of households were one person, and 12.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.34.[35] There were 21,831families (52.1% of all households).[36]
The age distribution was 19.1% under the age of 18, 18.2% aged 18 to 24, 27.2% aged 25 to 44, 19.8% aged 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65years of age or older. The median age was 33.2years. For every 100 females, there were 94.1 males.[35]
There were 44,429 housing units at an average density of 1,301.3 units per square mile (502.4 units/km2), of which 41,887 (94.3%) were occupied. Of these, 43.2% were owner-occupied, and 56.8% were occupied by renters.[35]
In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income in 2023 was $67,929, and theper capita income was $38,201. About 12.6% of families and 22.1% of the population were below the poverty line.[37]
Much of the local economy is driven by the presence of Chico State. Industries providing employment: educational, health and social services (30.3%), retail trade (14.9%), arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services (12.6%).
Chico's downtown is a thriving area for unique, independent retail stores and restaurants. Farmers markets attract crowds on Saturday mornings and Thursday evenings. City Plaza hosts free concerts regularly during the summer. Performance venues large and small, bars, coffee shops, bookstores, and city offices contribute to a lively and flavorful experience.
Chico has long been a regional retail shopping destination. Chico's largest retail district is focused around theChico Mall on East 20th Street. In the two decades since the Chico Mall was constructed, many national retailers have located nearby.
W 4th Street in Downtown Chico, with the Hotel Diamond in center.
Chico is also home to the North Valley Plaza Mall, the city's first enclosed shopping center. Construction on this mall began in 1965, and it was the county's largest shopping center until the Chico Mall was completed in 1988. For a few years, the "old" mall and the "new" mall competed against one another. The North Valley Plaza Mall was dealt a blow whenJCPenney, one of the old mall's anchors, moved to the Chico Mall in 1993. The "old" mall slowly declined with increasing vacancies. After several failed attempts at revitalization, the North Valley Plaza Mall was overhauled in 2002, with the center of the mall demolished.
Almonds are the number one crop in Chico and the surrounding area, only recently edging out rice. Other crops in the area includewalnuts,kiwis,olives,peaches, andplums.
The city is bounded on the west by orchards with thousands of almond trees, and there are still a few pockets of orchards remaining within the contiguous city limits. The trees bloom with a pink/white flower in late February or early March. Millions of bees are brought in for pollination.
Walnuts are also major agricultural products in the area north and west of town. Unlike the almond crops of the area, walnuts do not have the same appeal as they do not bloom in the spring. However, the trees themselves grow much larger, live longer, and are far more resilient to harsh weather than almond trees, which are known to be sensitive to frost and can be felled easily in winter storms. In the area, walnuts are harvested following the almond harvest season, beginning in mid to late September and stretching well into October.[38] The walnut variety Chico is named after the city.[39]
The Chico Museum first opened in February 1986 in the former Carnegie Library building in downtown Chico. It currently features aWorld War I exhibit. The museum has two main galleries, which host a variety of temporary and traveling exhibits. In addition, the museum has two smaller, permanent galleries displaying the diverse history of Chico.
TheChico Air Museum is an aviation museum, which opened in 2004. Several aircraft and exhibits are displayed in and adjacent to an old hangar, one of the few remaining from World War II.
The National Yo-Yo Museum[41] is the country's largest collection ofyo-yo artifacts, which also includes a 4-foot (1.2 m) tall yo-yo that is dropped with a crane every few years, the world's largest functional yo-yo. Classes are available as well for those new to yo-yo and those who just want to get better. An art museum, the Chico Art Center, is also located in the city.Two other historical buildings are also museums. Bidwell Mansion is a Victorian house completed in 1868 and the former home of John andAnnie Bidwell. Bidwell Mansion is a California State Historical Park. Stansbury House, former home of physician Oscar Stansbury, is a museum of 19th-century life, completed in 1883.[42][43]
Symbols of the CalifornianBear flag at the historic Madison Bear Garden
The Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology on the Chico State campus presents temporary exhibits researched, designed, and installed primarily by students. The museum was renamed November 18, 2009, by the Chico State Board of Trustees in honor of professor emerita Valene L. Smith, whose contributions and commitments to the museum have totaled over $4.6 million. The grand opening was held on January 28, 2010. The museum is across from the main entrance of the Miriam Library, next to theJanet Turner Print Museum.[44]
The Gateway Science Museum is a leading center for science education andNorthern California's local history, natural resources, seacoast, Sacramento Valley, and surrounding foothills and mountains.[45]
Chico is home to the Chico Certified Farmers Market; they host local farmers markets every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Residents are also able to enjoy a farmers and live market downtown on Thursday nights between April and September.
About 40murals and several galleries can be found in the city, including Chico Paper Company, 1078 Gallery, Avenue 9, The Space, 24-Hour Drive-By, and numerous other galleries. The theatres in Chico include Blue Room Theatre, Chico Performances, Chico Theater Company, and California Regional Theatre. The California State University, Chico Theatre Department also offers a variety of entertainment throughout the school year. In 2003, author John Villani named Chico one of the top 10 Best Small Art Towns in America.[46]
Chico is one of few cities to be home to two championship baseball teams in two different leagues simultaneously. The Chico State Wildcats were champions in both the 1997 and 1999 Division II College World Series. TheChico Heat were also champions in theWestern Baseball League in 1997. TheChico Outlaws were founded with theGolden Baseball League in 2005, where they also won the championship in 2007 and 2010. Starting in the summer of 2016, theChico Heat returned as a part of theGreat West League, a collegiate summer wood-bat league, until 2018 when the league folded due to financial issues from several other participating teams.[47]
Chico has also gained a reputation as being a bicycle-friendly city. In 1997, Chico was ranked as the number one cycling city in the nation byBicycle Magazine[citation needed] and also hosts the Wildflower Century, an annual 100-mile (160 km) bike ride throughout Butte County every April, put on by Chico Velo Cycling Club. The city is in the process of creating a network of bicycle paths, trails, and lanes.
Chico is the former home of theChico Rooks (soccer), the Chico Heat (baseball – Western Baseball League), and Chico Outlaws (baseball – Golden Baseball League).
The City of Chico is acharter city and has acouncil–manager government. The City of Chico's administration offices are located at 411 Main Street, immediately adjacent to the City Council Chambers. Chico'scity council consists of seven nonpartisan council members each elected from one of the seven districts in November of even-numbered years. The districts were officially created in February 2020.[48]
Their terms begin on the first Tuesday in December and end on the first Tuesday in December four years thereafter. The mayor is chosen by and from among the council members and serves for two years. City council meetings are on the first and third Tuesday of each month.
As of 2025, the council consists of Mayor Kasey Reynolds, Vice Mayor Dale Bennett, Bryce Goldstein, Katie Hawley, Mike O'Brien, Tom van Overbeek, and Addison Winslow.[48]
Chico is represented in theButte County Board of Supervisors by the District Two Supervisor Peter Durfee, District Three Supervisor Tami Ritter, District 4 Supervisor Tod Kimmelshue and District 5 Supervisor Doug Teeter.
Chico was designated to be the provisional capital of California if a disaster occurred that would cause evacuation of Sacramento after acivil defense exercise namedOperation Chico was deemed a success.[50] No person shall produce, test, maintain, or store within the city anuclear weapon, component of a nuclear weapon, nuclear weapon delivery system, or component of a nuclear weapon delivery system under penalty of Chapter 9.60.030 of the Chico Municipal Code.[51]
In 1998, city voters approved a bond to build a third comprehensive high school that was to be called Canyon View High School. However, after a long search for a suitable site, the school district opted not to build the new high school, a decision based largely on declining enrollment figures. The money from the bond has now been used to improve the Chico and Pleasant Valley high schools.[52]
Amtrak operates theChico station at Fifth and Orange Streets for theCoast Starlight service. The terminal is partially wheelchair accessible, has an enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, free short-term and long-term parking. Trains run betweenSeattle andLos Angeles with a northbound and a southbound train departing from the station daily. TheGreyhound andFlixBus station is also located at Fifth and Orange Streets.
The B-Line (Butte Regional Transit) serves the Chico Urban area with eight routes operating Monday through Saturday and two shuttle routes for Chico State students during the academic year.
Chico Regional Airport serves the area and is north of the city limits. It was served byUnited Airlines'United Express flights operated bySkyWest Airlines nonstop to San Francisco (SFO). Commercial passenger flights were discontinued by SkyWest on December 2, 2014, due to nonviability, as indicated by United Airlines in June 2014. The city administration is trying to restore air service, which would be provided by alternate airlines.[54] On July 31, 1961, the first-everaircraft hijacking on United States soil occurred at the Chico Regional Airport. Two men were critically wounded, and the hijacker was sentenced to more than 30 years in prison.[55][56]
In the early 1980s, the airport was the home base and headquarters forPacific Express, a scheduled passenger airline that served Chico withBritish Aircraft CorporationBAC One-Eleven twin jets. From 1962 to 2010, the airport was also home toAero Union, a company that refitted and operated surplus military aircraft such as theLockheed P-3 Orion turboprop as fire fighting aircraft for state and federal agencies until their move toMcClellan Airfield, near Sacramento.
Another local airfield isRanchaero Airport, surrounded by orchards on the west edge of Chico.
Analtitude record for unmanned gas balloons was set in Chico in October 1972 (51.8 km or 32.2 mi). The record was broken on May 23, 2002.
Top Gun: Maverick was filmed in the foothills outside Chico in July 2019 for the final scenes between theF-14 and twoSU-57's, which was performed using twoL-39's andCGI. The film crew spent 10 days filming and secretly used the Chico Airport for a staging area. Geographic identifiers in the film include the Feather River Canyon, Bucks Lake, Feather Falls and Mount Lassen.[57]
^Heizer, Robert F. Hester, Thomas R. (1970)Papers on California Ethnography - Chapter 9: Names and Locations of Some Ethnographic Patwin and Maidu Villages. pages 79–118.[1]
^"Local Watersheds 101".Butte Environmental Council. RetrievedAugust 19, 2023.Big Chico Creek begins its 45 mile journey from a series of springs on Colby Mountain, at the interface between the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Cascade Mountains.
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