Butte County (ⁱ/ˈbjuːt/) is a county located in the northern central part of the U.S. state of California. In the 2020 census, its population was 211,632. The county seat is Oroville.

Butte County comprises the Chico, California, metropolitan statistical area. It is in the California Central Valley, north of the state capital of Sacramento.

Butte County is drained by the Feather River and the Sacramento River. Butte Creek and Big Chico Creek are additional perennial streams, both tributary to the Sacramento. The county is home to California State University, Chico and Butte College.

History

Butte County is named for the visually striking +2,000-foot (610 m) Sutter Buttes in neighboring Sutter County. Butte County was incorporated as one of California's 27 original counties on February 18, 1850. The county went across the present limits of the Tehama, Plumas, Colusa, and Sutter Counties.

Between November 8 and 25, 2018, a major wildfire, the Camp Fire, destroyed most of the town of Paradise, the adjacent community of Concow, and a large area of rural, hilly country east of Chico. More than 80 people were killed, 50,000 were displaced, over 150,000 acres were burned, and nearly 20,000 buildings were destroyed. The Camp Fire was California's most destructive and deadliest fire.

Geography

South Table Mountain Near Oroville

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,677 square miles (4,340 km²), of which 41 square miles (110 km²) (2.4%) are covered by water.

The county is drained by the Feather River and Butte Creek. Part of the county's western border is formed by the Sacramento River. The county lies along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, the steep slopes making it prime territory for the siting of hydroelectric power plants. About a half dozen of these plants are located in the county, one of which, serves the Oroville Dam.

National protected areas

Butte Sink National Wildlife Refuge (part)
Lassen National Forest (part)
Plumas National Forest (part)
Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1850	3,574	—
1860	12,106	238.7%
1870	11,403	−5.8%
1880	18,721	64.2%
1890	17,939	−4.2%
1900	17,117	−4.6%
1910	27,301	59.5%
1920	30,030	10.0%
1930	34,093	13.5%
1940	42,840	25.7%
1950	64,930	51.6%
1960	82,030	26.3%
1970	101,969	24.3%
1980	143,851	41.1%
1990	182,120	26.6%
2000	203,171	11.6%
2010	220,000	8.3%
2020	211,632	−3.8%
2023 (est.)	207,172	−5.8%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010 2020

2020 census

**Butte County, 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.*
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2000	Pop 2010	Pop 2020	% 2000	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	162,564	165,416	139,651	80.01%	75.19%	65.99%
Black or African American alone (NH)	2,699	3,133	3,320	1.33%	1.42%	1.57%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	3,295	3,395	3,050	1.62%	1.54%	1.44%
Asian alone (NH)	6,676	8,921	10,333	3.29%	4.06%	4.88%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	273	401	508	0.13%	0.18%	0.24%
Some other race alone (NH)	435	318	1,184	0.21%	0.14%	0.56%
Mixed race or Multi-racial (NH)	5,890	7,300	13,474	2.90%	3.32%	6.37%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	21,339	31,116	40,112	10.50%	14.14%	18.95%
Total	203,171	220,000	211,632	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

2011

Population, ethnicity, and income
Total population	220,000
White	165,416	75.2%
Black or African American	3,353	1.5%
American Indian or Alaska Native	3,395	1.5%
Asian	9,000	4.2%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander	400	0.2%
Some other race	8,000	3.4%
Two or more races	12,329	5.6%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)	31,116	14.1%
Per capita income	$23,431
Median household income	$42,971
Median family income	$54,175

Places by population, race, and income

Places by population and race
Place	Type	Population	White	Other	Asian	Black or African American	Native American	Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
Bangor	CDP	416	88.5%	5.0%	2.2%	0.0%	4.3%	0.0%
Berry Creek	CDP	1,305	85.9%	11.7%	0.2%	0.0%	2.1%	4.1%
Biggs	City	1,707	74.2%	19.8%	3.3%	0.6%	2.1%	35.6%
Butte Creek Canyon	CDP	924	96.6%	2.4%	0.6%	0.0%	0.3%	3.6%
Butte Meadows	CDP	21	100.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Butte Valley	CDP	954	100.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	10.5%
Cherokee	CDP	105	86.7%	0.0%	13.3%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Chico	City	86,187	80.0%	6.3%	4.2%	2.1%	1.4%	15.5%
Clipper Mills	CDP	91	100.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Cohasset	CDP	955	98.4%	1.0%	0.0%	0.5%	0.0%	3.0%
Concow	CDP	581	78.0%	12.4%	2.4%	3.8%	3.4%	1.0%
Durham	CDP	5,800	91.8%	2.6%	3.8%	0.2%	1.5%	11.6%
Forbestown	CDP	291	72.9%	24.7%	0.0%	0.0%	2.4%	10.0%
Forest Ranch	CDP	1,294	93.9%	6.1%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.5%
Gridley	City	6,600	79.8%	18.8%	0.0%	1.0%	0.4%	50.5%
Honcut	CDP	745	54.6%	43.9%	0.0%	1.5%	0.0%	52.5%
Kelly Ridge	CDP	2,246	99.2%	0.0%	0.0%	0.8%	0.0%	0.0%
Magalia	CDP	11,188	90.5%	5.7%	1.8%	0.2%	1.8%	9.2%
Nord	CDP	196	89.6%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	20.4%
Oroville	City	16,000	71.0%	12.8%	11.4%	3.3%	1.4%	11.3%
Oroville East	CDP	9,663	82.1%	9.7%	2.4%	1.2%	4.6%	7.9%
Palermo	CDP	4,775	77.0%	19.7%	0.8%	1.0%	1.4%	23.2%
Paradise	Town	26,348	91.0%	6.0%	1.4%	0.8%	0.7%	7.7%
Rackerby	CDP	254	96.5%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	3.5%
Richvale	CDP	155	83.9%	16.1%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	16.1%
Robinson Mill	CDP	136	84.6%	15.4%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	15.4%
South Oroville	CDP	5,982	63.9%	7.8%	17.3%	8.3%	2.7%	15.2%
Stirling City	CDP	271	100.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Thermalito	CDP	6,295	80.2%	5.9%	10.8%	1.3%	1.7%	12.7%
Yankee Hill	CDP	240	88.8%	11.2%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	2.5%

Places by population and income
Place	Type	Population	Per capita income	Median household income	Median family income
Bangor	CDP	416	$18,172	$45,625	$47,917
Berry Creek	CDP	1,305	$22,277	$36,164	$51,607
Biggs	City	1,927	$17,159	$44,485	$50,714
Butte Creek Canyon	[CDP	924	$37,677	$58,750	$76,786
Butte Meadows	CDP	21
Butte Valley	CDP	954	$28,426	$69,659	$77,500
Cherokee	CDP	105	$20,351	$80,714	$80,714
Chico	City	85,605	$23,611	$41,632	$56,268
Clipper Mills	CDP	91
Cohasset	CDP	955	$21,628	$55,175	$55,425
Concow	CDP	581	$26,821	$24,792	$53,750
Durham	CDP	5,829	$34,886	$64,720	$75,357
Forbestown	CDP	291	$19,434	$58,167	$82,750
Forest Ranch	CDP	1,294	$51,819	$46,901	$47,057
Gridley	City	6,509	$15,525	$36,563	$41,474
Honcut	CDP	745	$8,071	$48,144	$48,277
Kelly Ridge	CDP	2,246	$33,366	$49,444	$60,205
Magalia	CDP	11,188	$19,400	$37,182	$42,277
Nord	CDP	196	$19,182	$69,063	$69,063
Oroville	City	15,445	$18,750	$35,678	$45,430
Oroville East	CDP	9,663	$24,503	$53,167	$65,142
Palermo	CDP	4,775	$19,783	$42,292	$46,458
Paradise	Town	26,348	$25,132	$42,363	$54,267
Rackerby	CDP	254	$17,387	$46,141	$46,184
Richvale	CDP	155	$45,061	$87,150	$87,150
Robinson Mill	CDP	136	$21,793	$54,762	$54,762
South Oroville	CDP	5,982	$11,666	$32,205	$38,750
Stirling City	CDP	271	$14,811	$82,969
Thermalito	CDP	6,295	$16,301	$37,738	$38,053
Yankee Hill	CDP	240	$21,149	$22,054	$44,286

2010 Census

The 2010 United States Census reported that Butte County had a population of 220,000. The racial makeup of Butte County was 180,096 (81.9%) White, 3,415 (1.6%) African American, 4,395 (2.0%) Native American, 9,057 (4.1%) Asian, 452 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 12,141 (5.5%) from other races, and 10,444 (4.7%) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 31,116 persons (14.1%).

Population reported at 2010 United States Census
The County	Total Population	White	African American	Native American	Asian	Pacific Islander	other races	two or more races	Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
Butte County	220,000	180,096	3,415	4,395	9,057	452	12,141	10,444	31,116
Incorporated cities and towns	Total Population	White	African American	Native American	Asian	Pacific Islander	other races	two or more races	Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
Biggs	1,707	1,302	11	54	9	1	252	78	580
Chico	86,187	69,606	1,771	1,167	3,656	210	5,437	4,340	15,000
Gridley	6,584	4,283	55	98	249	3	1,552	344	3,000
Oroville	15,546	11,686	453	573	1,238	56	554	986	1,945
Paradise	26,218	24,129	112	301	330	24	416	906	1,836
Census-designated places	Total Population	White	African American	Native American	Asian	Pacific Islander	other races	two or more races	Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
Bangor	646	543	5	17	4	1	18	58	47
Berry Creek	1,424	1,249	8	48	13	3	13	90	98
Butte Creek Canyon	1,086	1,011	0	20	18	1	8	28	48
Butte Meadows	40	38	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
Butte Valley	899	782	0	19	9	1	42	46	89
Cherokee	69	48	0	2	8	0	0	11	1
Clipper Mills	142	131	0	3	0	0	2	6	5
Cohasset	847	764	8	14	2	1	20	38	43
Concow	710	611	0	24	5	3	10	57	56
Durham	5,518	5,088	19	55	35	9	165	147	614
Forbestown	320	262	4	15	10	0	4	25	23
Forest Ranch	1,184	1,116	8	6	4	1	20	29	52
Honcut	370	248	6	14	4	0	85	13	145
Kelly Ridge	2,544	2,287	20	56	35	7	43	96	204
Magalia	11,310	10,398	40	141	90	17	134	490	765
Nord	320	233	1	6	16	0	48	16	122
Oroville East	8,280	6,830	126	477	294	8	147	398	702
Palermo	5,382	3,901	39	221	246	4	642	329	1,281
Rackerby	204	193	0	1	0	0	3	7	18
Richvale	244	216	0	11	0	0	10	7	27
Robinson Mill	80	74	0	1	0	1	0	4	11
South Oroville	5,742	3,407	406	245	885	9	361	429	851
Stirling City	295	264	1	11	0	0	1	18	17
Thermalito	6,646	4,594	61	257	1,102	37	270	325	713
Yankee Hill	333	305	2	7	4	0	5	10	22
Other unincorporated areas	Total Population	White	African American	Native American	Asian	Pacific Islander	other races	two or more races	Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
All others not CDPs (combined)	29,123	24,497	259	531	791	55	1,879	1,111	4,486

2000

As of the census of 2000, there were 203,171 people, 79,566 households, and 49,410 families residing in the county. The population density was 124 people per square mile (48 people/km²). There were 85,523 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile (20/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 84.5% White, 10.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino, 3.3% Asian, 1.9% Native American, 1.4% Black or African American, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 4.8% from other races, and 3.9% from two or more races. 87.9% spoke English, 7.8% Spanish and 1.4% Hmong as their first language.

There were 79,566 households, out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.0% under the age of 18, 13.6% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,924, and the median income for a family was $41,010. Males had a median income of $34,137 versus $25,393 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,517. About 12.2% of families and 19.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.8% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education

California State University, Chico was founded in 1887

Public schools

There are roughly 90 public schools in the county according to the National Center for Educational Statistics. The schools are operated by the County Office of Education and 15 school districts, which are:

Bangor Union Elementary School District
Biggs Unified School District
Chico Unified School District
Durham Unified School District
Feather Falls Union Elementary School District
Golden Feather Union Elementary School District
Gridley Unified School District
Manzanita Elementary School District
Oroville City Elementary School District
Oroville Union High School District
Palermo Union School District
Paradise Unified School District
Pioneer Union Elementary School District
Thermalito Union School District

Colleges and universities

Butte College
Butte–Glenn Community College District
California State University, Chico

Public libraries

Butte County Library provides library services to residents of the County through six branches in Biggs, Chico, Durham, Gridley, Oroville and Paradise. The mission of the Butte County Library is to provide all individuals, regardless of age, ethnic background, educational or economic level, with free access to ideas, information, and technology.

For many years, the library served rural and mountain communities through regularly scheduled bookmobile visits; however, due to budget cuts, this service was discontinued in 2009 and the bookmobile was sold. The library serves low-literacy adults through several programs of the Butte County Library Literacy Services division, including the Adult Reading Program, Families for Literacy and the Literacy Coach, a 36-foot (11 m) vehicle that provides mobile programming like story times, parent meetings, workshops, and computer and teacher trainings.

The library operates as a department of the County of Butte, governed by the Butte County Board of Supervisors.

Transportation

Butte County is home to Bidwell Park in Chico, one of the largest municipal parks in the United States

Major highways

State Route 32
State Route 70
State Route 99
State Route 149
State Route 162
State Route 191

Public transportation

Butte Regional Transit or the B-Line, provides service in and between Chico, Oroville, Paradise, Gridley and Biggs. Chico is also a connection point for Glenn Ride buses to Glenn County and Plumas Transit Systems buses to Plumas County.

Greyhound and FlixBus buses stop in Chico.

Amtrak's Coast Starlight (Los Angeles-Seattle) passenger train makes a stop daily in each direction in Chico's Chico station.

Airports

General Aviation airports in Butte County include:

Chico Municipal Airport
Oroville Municipal Airport
Paradise Airport
Ranchaero Airport
Richvale Airport

Communities

Bidwell Mansion in Chico

Kendall Hall, the administration building at California State University, Chico in Chico

Cities

Biggs
Chico
Gridley
Oroville (county seat)

Towns

Paradise

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Former townships

The 10 civil townships, 1877

In August 1851, the county was divided into six judicial (civil) townships, the four marked by asterisks below, plus Quartz and Mineral, which were separated from Butte County with the formation of Plumas County in 1854.

Between 1851 and 1861, there were several additions and other realignments of the township boundaries; from 1861, the townships were:

Bidwell
Chico
Concow
Hamilton*
Kimshew
Mountain Spring
Ophir*
Oregon*
Oro*
Wyandotte

Townships created and dissolved between 1851 and 1861 were Benton, Eureka, and Cascade.

Ghost towns

Bidwell's Bar – now located under Lake Oroville
Butte Creek
Coutolenc
Diamondville
Forks of Butte – a former gold mining settlement
Hamilton - Butte County's first permanent county seat, John Bidwell discovered gold at Hamilton in 1848, and the settlement arose. It was located on the west side of the Feather River, 15 mi (24 km) downstream from Oroville.
Lynchburg

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Butte County.

† county seat

Rank	City/Town/etc.	Municipal type	Population (2010 Census)
1	Chico	City	86,187
2	Paradise	Town	26,218
3	† Oroville	City	15,546
4	Magalia	CDP	11,310
5	Oroville East	CDP	8,280
6	Thermalito	CDP	6,646
7	Gridley	City	6,584
8	South Oroville	CDP	5,742
9	Durham	CDP	5,518
10	Palermo	CDP	5,382
11	Kelly Ridge	CDP	2,544
12	Biggs	City	1,707
13	Berry Creek	CDP	1,424
14	Forest Ranch	CDP	1,184
15	Butte Creek Canyon	CDP	1,086
16	Butte Valley	CDP	899
17	Cohasset	CDP	847
18	Concow	CDP	710
19	Bangor	CDP	646
20	Honcut	CDP	370
21	Yankee Hill	CDP	333
t-22	Forbestown	CDP	320
t-22	Nord	CDP	320
23	Stirling City	CDP	295
24	Richvale	CDP	244
25	Rackerby	CDP	204
26	Berry Creek Rancheria	AIAN	152
27	Clipper Mills	CDP	142
28	Robinson Mill	CDP	80
29	Cherokee	CDP	69
30	Butte Meadows	CDP	40
31	Enterprise Rancheria	AIAN	1

Butte County, California facts for kids

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