Other cities in close proximity to the Chico Metropolitan Area (population 212,000) include Paradise and Oroville, while local towns and villages include Durham, Cohasset, Dayton, Hamilton City, Nord, and Forest Ranch.
The official city nickname is "City of Roses," according to the Seal of the City of Chico, California. Chico has been designated as a Tree City USA for 23 years by the Arbor Day Foundation.
As of the census of 2000, there were 59,954 people, 23,476 households, and 11,644 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,161.0 people per square mile (834.5/km²). There were 24,386 housing units at an average density of 879.0/sq mi (339.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.36% White, 2.03% Black or African American, 1.30% Native American, 4.21% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 5.65% from other races, and 4.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.26% of the population.
There were 23,476 households out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.4% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.4% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.1% under the age of 18, 27.0% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 15.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.
Chico Municipal Airport serves the area and is north of the city limits. It is served by United Airlines' United Express operated by SkyWest Airlines (San Francisco) The airport is also home to Aero Union, a company that refits surplus military aircraft as fire fighting aircraft.
Ranchaero Airport is surrounded by orchards on the west edge of town.
Amtrak operates the Chico Amtrak station at Fifth and Orange Streets for the Coast Starlight service. The terminal is partially wheelchair accessible, has an enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public pay phones, free short-term and long-term parking. Trains run between Seattle and Los Angeles with a northbound, and a southbound train departing from the station daily. The Greyhound bus station is also located at Fifth and Orange Streets.
The North Valley Shuttle has five scheduled runs daily to Sacramento International Airport leaving from Jack's Restaurant at Sixth and Main Streets.
The B-Line (Butte Regional Transit) serves the Chico Urban area with eight routes operating Monday through Saturday and two shuttle routes for CSU, Chico students during the academic year. The Chico Clipper serves the Chico urban area with nine modified vans providing transportation for the elderly and the mobility impaired seven days a week. The transit center in Chico is located at Second and Salem Streets.
There are at least nine taxi companies in Chico: Yellow Cab of Chico, American Taxi, Chico Cab, Liberty Cab, Chico Independent Taxi, Checkers Cab, Eco Cab, Taxi Dave and Premier Taxi.
Chico is a bronze level Bicycle-friendly community as designated by the League of American Bicyclists. Chico was also named "America's Best Bike Town" by Bicycle magazine in 1997.
Pedicabs are commonly available downtown during the evenings.
State Route 99 and State Route 32 intersect in Chico.