Butte County, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 28th-largest in California
The population of Butte County, California is 209,470 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 28th-largest county in California. The median household income is $68,574, the median home value is $408,700, and the median age is 36.3.
The population of Butte County has declined 5.3% since 2010 (219,951 → 208,334), a -0.39% annualized rate.
209,470
Population
-0.39%
Annual growth
128
People / sq mi
$68,574
Median Income
$408,700
Median Home Value
Butte County covers 1,637 sq mi of land at 128.0 people per square mile.
About Butte County, CA
Butte County is a county in California with a population of 209,470. It ranks #28 among counties in California by population. The median age is 36.3, younger than the national median. The population is 49.8% male and 50.2% female.
The median household income in Butte County is $68,574, below the US median of $74,580. 10.8% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $408,700, with monthly rent averaging $1,369. The homeownership rate of 58.3% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Butte County reflects 31.7% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 11.3% of workers primarily work from home, similar to the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 21.2 minutes each way.
Butte County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Butte County had a population of 219,951 in 2010 and 208,334 in 2024, a -5.3% growth over 14 years. The peak was 230,330 in 2018. Average annual growth rate: -0.37%.
208,334
Population (2024)
219,951
Population (2010)
230,330
Peak (2018)
-0.37%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 219,951 |
| 2011 | 219,983 |
| 2012 | 220,877 |
| 2013 | 221,649 |
| 2014 | 223,525 |
| 2015 | 224,643 |
| 2016 | 226,222 |
| 2017 | 228,700 |
| 2018 | 230,330 |
| 2019 | 218,726 |
| 2020 | 210,222 |
| 2021 | 206,351 |
| 2022 | 207,384 |
| 2023 | 207,354 |
| 2024 | 208,334 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 72.6% |
| Black or African American | 1.8% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.3% |
| Two or More Races | 0.1% |
Age & Sex
36.3
Median Age
50.2%
Female
49.8%
Male
18.2%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 16.9% · Seniors (65+): 18.2%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $68,574$-27,760 vs state |
| Mean household income | $96,124 |
| Per-capita income | $37,965 |
| Poverty rate | 10.8%+2.4% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2% |
| Employment-to-population | 54.8% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Butte County is professional & business services, accounting for 27.5% of workers.
How residents commute
0.7%
Drive alone
2.9%
Carpool
72.6%
Public transit
11.3%
Work from home
21.2 min
Avg commute
Housing
$408,700$-286,700 vs state
Median home value
$1,369
Median rent
58.3%
Homeownership rate
91,176
Total housing units
90.3%
Occupied
9.7%
Vacant
41.7%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
93.6%
With health insurance
95.4%
With broadband internet
16.6%
Foreign-born
6.9%
Veterans (18+)
16.3%
With a disability
83.5%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
90.3%
High School+
31.7%
Bachelor's+
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Part of California
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County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Butte County, California has a population of 209,470 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 28th-largest county in California. Population density is 128 people per square mile.
The population of Butte County has declined 5.3% since 2010 (219,951 → 208,334), a -0.39% annualized rate.
The median household income in Butte County, California is $68,574, with mean (average) household income of $96,124 and per-capita income of $37,965. 10.8% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Butte County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (72.6%), Hispanic or Latino (4.3%), Black or African American (1.8%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Butte County, California is 36.3 years. Residents are 50.2% female and 49.8% male.
The median home value in Butte County is $408,700 and median monthly rent is $1,369. 58.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 91,176 total housing units, 9.7% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Butte County, California is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 27.5% of workers. The unemployment rate is 4.2%.
Los Angeles is among the largest cities associated with Butte County, California, with a population of 3,857,897.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.