countyscore
39.3
County Score
Property Tax 64.2Income & Jobs 63.3Lawn Care 60.3

County Report Card

About Butte County, California

Butte trails national livability standard

Butte County's composite score of 39.3 falls short of the national median of 50.0, landing in the 30th percentile nationwide. Wildfires and economic recovery have shaped its recent trajectory.

Below California's already modest average

With a score of 39.3, Butte ranks below California's state average of 40.9, placing it in the lower half of the state's 58 counties. It faces steeper livability headwinds than most California peers.

Affordability and tax benefits emerge

Butte offers some of California's most accessible housing, with a median home value of $408,700 and rent of $1,369 monthly (cost score 10.4). A favorable tax burden of 0.690% effective rate and decent schools (58.5) provide stability.

Health and income need strengthening

Butte's health score of 59.2 lags state norms, signaling healthcare access or outcome concerns, while its income score of 63.3 reflects a median household income of just $68,574. Wildfire exposure (risk score 6.1) remains a persistent vulnerability.

Best for resilient residents seeking affordability

Butte suits cost-conscious families and early-career workers prioritizing low housing costs and rural charm over healthcare richness or high incomes. Those concerned about wildfire risk or seeking robust job markets should explore the Central Valley alternatives.

Score breakdown

Tax64.2Cost10.4Safety14.9Health59.2Schools58.5Income63.3Risk6.1Water57.2Weather60.1
🏛64.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠10.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼63.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡14.9
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤59.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓58.5
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡6.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧57.2
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤60.1
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱60.3
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Yuba County
California
37.7
Glenn County
California
41.8
Plumas County
California
41
Sutter County
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35
Colusa County
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Tehama County
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Nevada County
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Sierra County
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Deep Dives

Butte County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Butte County

via TaxByCounty

Butte taxes 2.8× the national median

Butte County's effective tax rate of 0.690% far exceeds the national median of 0.25%, landing it in the 80th percentile nationally. North State residents here shoulder property tax burdens substantially higher than most American homeowners.

Slightly below state average in rank

At 0.690%, Butte County falls just under California's average of 0.714%, placing it in the middle tier among the state's 58 counties. Median annual taxes of $2,819 remain well below the state median of $4,045.

Competitive with northern Sierra counties

Butte's 0.690% rate aligns closely with Alpine (0.684%) and Amador (0.695%), making it among the lower-taxed counties in the region. All three share similar economic profiles and tax structures within a 0.01% range.

Typical Butte home: $2,819 per year

A median-valued Butte County home of $408,700 generates approximately $2,819 in annual property taxes. Mortgaged properties see slightly higher effective burden at $3,205 due to additional assessments and fees.

Check your assessment for accuracy

Butte County homeowners can appeal their assessments if recent market data suggests overvaluation. Taking 30 minutes to file an appeal could save you hundreds annually in tax liability.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Butte County

via CostByCounty

Butte County's affordability comes with trade-offs

Butte County's median income of $68,574 falls below the national median by 8%, yet its rent-to-income ratio of 24.0% exceeds national norms by 2 percentage points. Renters spend $1,369 monthly—a modest absolute cost shadowed by the fact that lower incomes stretch that payment further.

Above-average rent burden statewide

Butte's 24.0% rent-to-income ratio ranks in California's least-affordable third, exceeding the state average of 22.4% by 1.6 points. The median rent of $1,369 appears reasonable in isolation, but combined with the county's lower median income, it signals tighter household finances than neighboring counties.

Butte struggles against regional peers

Butte's rent-to-income ratio of 24.0% trails Colusa (18.2%) and Amador (20.3%), despite a median rent just $11 more than Colusa's $1,139. The income disadvantage—$68,574 vs. $81,526 in Amador—makes Butte's housing costs bite harder in absolute terms.

Tighter margins in Butte households

Renters dedicate $1,369 monthly while owners pay $1,401—nearly identical burdens on just $68,574 annual income. Combined, housing consumes roughly 48% of gross earnings, leaving only 52% for all other expenses, transportation, and emergency savings.

Butte for the determined budget-builder

If you earn $50,000–$75,000 and value small-town Northern California living, Butte offers modest rents and $408,700 homes—lower absolute costs than most of California. However, the higher rent-to-income burden means you'll need disciplined budgeting; consider Colusa for even tighter affordability without the income penalty.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Butte County

via IncomeByCounty

Butte lags behind national average

Butte County's median household income of $68,574 falls 8% short of the national median of $74,755, placing it among lower-income California counties. The county faces economic headwinds from reduced timber industry employment and housing recovery challenges.

Among California's lower-income counties

Butte's $68,574 median household income ranks well below California's state average of $87,001, a gap of over $18,400 per household. The county's per capita income of $37,965 also trails the state's $43,669 average.

Struggling among rural peers

Butte's median income of $68,574 ranks lowest among the eight profiled counties, trailing even Del Norte County's $66,780. The county faces structural economic challenges distinct from its rural Sierra neighbors.

Housing costs strain budgets

Butte's 24% rent-to-income ratio represents the highest housing cost burden in this group, with median home value of $408,700 requiring substantial household commitment. Even lower median incomes mean residents spend nearly a quarter of earnings on rent alone.

Strategic savings despite tight budgets

While Butte households face tighter budgets than California averages, building even modest emergency savings of $500-$1,000 monthly strengthens financial security. Consider low-cost investment options and employer retirement plans to begin wealth-building despite current income constraints.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Butte County

via CrimeByCounty

Butte County Matches National Crime Trends

Butte County reports 2,395.1 crimes per 100,000 residents, placing it right in line with the national average of 2,385.5. The county earns a safety score of 96.2.

Consistent with California State Averages

The county’s safety score of 96.2 is just 0.1 points shy of the California average of 96.3. Its total crime rate of 2,395.1 is also very close to the state average of 2,355.2.

Butte County vs Northern Neighbors

Butte County’s rate of 2,395.1 is higher than nearby Colusa County, which reports a significantly lower 1,971.5. Ten local agencies provide data that reflects a moderate crime profile for the region.

Property Crime Dominates Local Reports

There are 1,789.8 property crimes per 100,000 residents, compared to 605.3 violent crimes. While violent crime is higher than the national average of 369.8, property crime is actually lower than the national rate of 2,015.7.

Focused Security for Butte Residents

Since property crime is the most common issue, securing packages and locking windows remains a priority. Modern doorbell cameras and smart locks are effective tools for deterring opportunistic theft in local neighborhoods.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Butte County

via HealthByCounty

Butte lags national health trends

At 75.7 years, Butte County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.1 years and California's 78.5 state average by nearly 3 years. A 18.2% poor/fair health rate matches the national average, suggesting Butte faces acute health challenges despite comparable self-reported health status. The county is among California's lowest-performing on longevity metrics.

Among state's least healthy

Butte County ranks in the bottom fifth of California counties for life expectancy at 75.7 years, well below the 78.5-year state average. Its 18.2% poor/fair health rate equals the national average but exceeds California's median, indicating concentrated health disadvantage. Butte's health crisis is severe and persistent.

Worse than surrounding rural areas

Butte's 75.7-year life expectancy is the lowest among northern California counties examined, significantly worse than Amador (78.5), Calaveras (78.8), and Colusa (79.2). Its 18.2% poor/fair health rate also exceeds neighbors Amador (16.3%) and Calaveras (17.4%), marking Butte as a regional health outlier. The 2018 Camp Fire devastated the county's health infrastructure and remains a factor.

Uninsured and underserved

Butte's 7.6% uninsured rate exceeds California's 7.2% state average, meaning more residents lack health coverage than typical. Primary care providers are scarce at 59 per 100,000—far below optimal density—while mental health services are more robust at 888 per 100,000. The mismatch means residents can access behavioral health support but struggle to find basic preventive care.

Coverage matters in Butte

Butte residents should prioritize health insurance as a foundation for reversing the county's declining health trends. Covered California and Medi-Cal offer year-round enrollment; visit coveredca.com or call the Butte County Department of Public Health at (530) 897-5833 for local support. Prevention and early care can improve individual and community outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Butte County

via SchoolsByCounty

Diverse Educational Pathways in Butte

Butte County hosts 29,191 students across 95 public schools, managed by 31 distinct districts. The system is robust, featuring 49 elementary schools and 22 high schools to serve a growing population. It offers a wide variety of educational settings from urban centers to remote outposts.

Competitive Scores and Increased Investment

The county earns a school score of 57.1, which beats the state average of 56.0 and the national median. Per-pupil spending reaches $9,336, exceeding the state average of $8,762. The graduation rate of 87.2% remains competitive, essentially matching the national benchmark.

Chico Unified Leads a Charter-Rich Area

Chico Unified is the county's largest district, educating 12,087 students across 22 schools. Charter schools are a major part of the landscape here, accounting for nearly 19% of all schools with 18 locations. This provides families with significant choice regarding their children's learning style and environment.

A Blend of Town and City Life

Education in Butte County mostly happens in town and city settings, which account for 79 of the 95 schools. While the average school size is 332 students, Chico High serves nearly 2,000, offering a traditional large-campus experience. This variety allows parents to choose between intimate neighborhood schools and larger, resource-rich campuses.

Settling Near Quality Northern California Schools

With school scores that outpace state averages, Butte County is a prime location for education-focused homebuyers. The high density of charter schools and the strength of Chico Unified offer diverse options for every family. Start your home search here to take advantage of the county's above-average educational investment.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Butte County

via RiskByCounty

Butte faces above-average national disaster risk

Butte County's composite risk score of 93.92 exceeds the national average, placing it in the relatively moderate-to-high category nationally. The county's exposure stems from significant wildfire, earthquake, and flood hazards characteristic of Northern California's geography.

Above California's average, but not extreme

Butte's score of 93.92 edges above California's state average of 88.72, ranking the county in the upper-middle tier of statewide risk. While this positions Butte as more exposed than many California communities, it remains less threatened than Bay Area counties like Alameda or Contra Costa.

Moderate risk compared to Sierra peers

Butte County (93.92) faces higher composite risk than Amador (79.20) and Calaveras (86.61), reflecting its larger footprint and proximity to the Central Valley. Del Norte County (94.43) to the north presents nearly identical threat levels.

Wildfire and flood dominate your hazard profile

Wildfire risk (98.54) and flood risk (93.23) are Butte's primary concerns, with earthquake risk (97.49) also significant. The 2018 Camp Fire tragedy underscores the catastrophic potential of the county's elevated wildfire exposure.

Comprehensive wildfire and flood coverage essential

Butte residents must secure separate wildfire and flood insurance, as standard policies exclude both hazards. Given recent fire history, maintaining defensible space around your home and staying current on evacuation routes are equally critical investments.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Butte County

via WeatherByCounty

A Hot Climate with High Precipitation

Butte County averages 59.9°F, which is notably warmer than the median temperature across the United States. Its 48.1 inches of annual rain is also well above the national median.

Much Wetter Than the California Average

With 48.1 inches of rain, Butte is nearly twice as wet as the California state average of 25.8 inches. Its annual temperature of 59.9°F also runs slightly higher than the state average.

Wetter and Snowier Than Colusa

Butte receives 48.1 inches of rain and 27.4 inches of snow, vastly exceeding neighboring Colusa County's totals. It offers a more varied mountain climate compared to the flatter valley floor.

Sizzling Summers and Snowy Mountain Winters

Residents endure 72 extreme heat days each year as July temperatures average 76.8°F. Winter brings a significant contrast with 27.4 inches of snowfall and an average temp of 46.4°F.

Gear Up for Heat and Snow

Residents need both powerful air conditioning for 72 heat days and snow-clearing tools for the 27.4-inch winter average. Waterproofing is also critical given the high 48.1 inches of annual rain.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Butte County

via SoilByCounty

The Hidden Roots of the Valley

Butte County does not have recorded pH or taxonomic data in this specific set. While California averages a 6.34 pH, your local valley soil may vary significantly from the national 6.5 median. A simple soil probe can help you identify your ground's unique chemistry.

Unmasking the Valley Soil Blend

Specific sand, silt, and clay figures are currently unlisted for Butte County. Understanding this composition is vital for nutrient retention and workability in your garden. We recommend home testing to see if your soil is heavy clay or easy-to-work loam.

Nurturing Fertility in Butte

We lack data for Butte's organic matter and water capacity against the state average of 3.30%. Improving your soil with organic compost can enhance its ability to hold water and nutrients, regardless of the baseline.

Managing Water in the North Valley

Drainage and hydrologic data are not provided for this county in the current dataset. In a region known for agriculture, paying close attention to how your land handles runoff is key to a productive harvest.

Abundant Growth in Zone 9b

Butte County sits in the productive Zone 9b, ideal for everything from almonds to citrus. Take advantage of the long growing season and start your garden with heat-loving crops today.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Butte County

via LawnByCounty

Abundant Water for Butte Lawns

Butte County scores a 60.3 on the lawn difficulty scale, making it easier to grow grass here than in many other parts of California. This zone 9b region benefits from high rainfall, though it faces more extreme heat than the national average. You will find that keeping a green lawn is much more achievable than the state average score of 51.3 would suggest.

High Rainfall and Intense Sun

Butte receives 48.1 inches of annual precipitation, placing it at the top end of the ideal range for lawn growth. This water wealth is offset by 72 extreme heat days, which is much higher than the California average of 59 days. Your mowing schedule will be busiest in the spring, but you must be careful not to cut too short during the blistering July heat.

Building a Healthy Soil Base

Specific soil metrics for Butte County are unavailable, but with 4,283 growing degree days, your soil works hard to support rapid growth. You should test your soil's pH to see if it matches the 6.0-7.0 ideal range for most turfgrasses. Proper aeration is often necessary in this region to prevent compaction from the heavy annual rains.

Strong Water Security

Butte County currently experiences zero drought conditions, maintaining 100% drought-free status over the last year. Despite this, the high number of extreme heat days means your lawn can dry out faster than you expect. Efficient irrigation remains important to manage the intense summer sun while taking advantage of the high annual rainfall.

Best Grasses for the Sacramento Valley

Warm-season grasses like Bermuda thrive in Butte’s heat, but Tall Fescue is also a common choice for its year-round green. Your frost-free window runs from March 4 to December 7, giving you a very long period to establish new growth. Plant in late winter or early spring to let your lawn mature before the 90-degree days arrive in force.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Butte County's county score?
Butte County, California has a composite county score of 39.3 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Butte County rank among counties in California?
Butte County ranks #36 among all counties in California on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Butte County, California?
The median annual property tax in Butte County is $2,819, with an effective tax rate of 0.69%. This earns Butte County a tax score of 64.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Butte County?
The median household income in Butte County, California is $68,574 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Butte County earns an income score of 63.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Butte County, California a good place to live?
Butte County scores 39.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #36 in California. The best way to evaluate Butte County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Butte County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.