The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 95926 sells for about $499,000, or $268 per square foot.
Prices are up +5.2% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 76 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,550 a month.
ZIP 95926 — Chico
The Chico housing market in 95926 remains balanced with steady price appreciation and moderate inventory levels. Demand is supported by the university and healthcare sectors, though wildfire risk continues to influence insurance costs and buyer sentiment.
This ZIP is well-suited for university students, faculty, and families seeking proximity to downtown amenities and outdoor recreation. It also attracts investors looking for stable rental demand from the student population.
Median prices moved up 5.2% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 76 days on market with 1.3 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
24% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 99.8% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 5.5% · poverty 26.7% — a mixed stability profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 7.1%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 7.1%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 95926, Butte County CA
Crime rates in Chico are generally higher than the national average, with property crime being the most prevalent issue. The area experiences fluctuations in crime trends consistent with regional urban centers in Northern California.
Schools in the Chico area are served primarily by the Chico Unified School District, which maintains a mix of public elementary, middle, and high schools with varying performance ratings.
The region faces significant wildfire risk, which has impacted local property insurance availability and premiums. Flood risk is managed through local levee systems and regional water management districts.
Economic momentum is driven by the presence of California State University, Chico, and a growing healthcare sector. Infrastructure development focuses on regional connectivity and downtown revitalization efforts.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (California) — Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act Special Parcel Tax Assessment: Levies an annual direct, non-ad valorem special tax directly on the parcel's secured property tax bill to fund designated community infrastructure (e.g., roads, sewer facilities, school facilities, emergency services) and repay municipal debt bonds. State (California) — California Homeowners' Property Tax Exemption: Reduces the taxable assessed value of the qualifying owner-occupied principal residence by $7,000 against the county assessment roll, generating a direct tax savings of approximately $70 annually (computed as $7,000 × 1% base rate). State (California) — California Proposition 13 Ad Valorem Real Property Tax: Establishes a base ad valorem tax rate capped at 1.0% of assessed value plus voter-approved local indebtedness and direct assessments (typically resulting in an effective tax rate of 1.1% to 1.25%).
Residents typically enjoy short commutes, with a mean travel time to work of approximately 18.6 minutes. The area is well-connected by local arterial roads and proximity to Highway 99.
The area features extensive outdoor amenities including Bidwell Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the country, offering trails, swimming holes, and golf courses. Shopping and dining are concentrated in the historic downtown district.
The rental market is characterized by high demand driven by the university student population and limited housing supply. Vacancy rates remain low, and rent growth has been steady due to persistent housing shortages.
The economy is anchored by California State University, Chico, and major healthcare providers like Enloe Medical Center. The industry mix includes education, healthcare, and retail services.
The city is served by a network of local bus routes and is positioned along the Highway 99 corridor, facilitating regional travel.
Development is focused on infill projects and mixed-use residential builds near the university and downtown core.
The Butte County Assessor manages property valuations based on the California Revenue and Taxation Code.
Parcels are subject to various special districts including the Chico Unified School District and local water/sewer utility districts.
Property insurance availability is constrained by wildfire risk, leading to higher premiums and reliance on the FAIR Plan for some properties.
Data retrieved from Census Reporter and ACS 2024 profiles.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- FunLand / Cal Skate Chico4.33 mi
- Rare Air Trampoline Park4.52.2 mi
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.4.62.2 mi
- Silver Dollar Fairgrounds4.32.6 mi
- Cafe Coda4.71.6 mi
- Lucky Strike Chico4.21 mi
- Silver Dollar Speedway4.62.8 mi
- Cinemark Tinseltown Chico 14 and XD4.41 mi
- Upper Bidwell Park4.85.7 mi
- DeGarmo Park4.62.9 mi
- FunLand / Cal Skate Chico4.33 mi
- Caper Acres4.61.3 mi
- Honey Run Covered Bridge4.67.6 mi
- Chico Children's Museum4.51.2 mi
- Chico Air Museum4.84 mi
- National Yo-Yo Museum4.51.2 mi
- Gateway Science Museum4.40.9 mi
- Upper Bidwell Park4.85.7 mi
- Bidwell Park One-Mile4.61.1 mi
- DeGarmo Park4.62.9 mi
- Caper Acres4.61.3 mi
- Hooker Oak Park4.62.7 mi
- Bidwell Park Golf Course4.23.8 mi
- Canyon Oaks Country Club4.63.4 mi
- WinCo Foods4.42.7 mi
- Safeway4.20.9 mi
- Chico Marketplace3.92.4 mi
- Safeway4.21.6 mi
- Ross Dress for Less4.23.4 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
One of the largest municipal parks in the US, featuring extensive hiking and biking trails.
Historic district with a high concentration of local restaurants, boutiques, and entertainment.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.