Recognition

Chico City Plaza

From education to culture to the environment and recreation, Chico stands out nationally among mid-sized communities.

#6 in master's programs at public universities (USNews.com, 2010)
Top Place to Live the Western Dream (American Cowboy magazine, 2010)
#24 in the nation among public universities for median income of CSU, Chico graduates (Forbes, 2008)
#3 Best Mid-Sized City Downtown in California (California Planning and Development Report, 2008)
#2 Best Scoop in America – Shubert’s Ice Cream Parlor (Good Morning America, May 2008)
#10 Best Small Art Town in America (John Villani, 2008 and 2004)
10 Greenest Colleges in America – CSU, Chico (The Daily Green, 2007)
#20 Best Green City in America (Country Home magazine, 2007)
#1 County for amount of solar energy generated per resident (Country Home magazine, 2007)
Best Colleges – CSU, Chico (US News & World Report, 2007)
5-star public school metro rating, placing Chico in the top 20% of the nation (Expansion Management magazine, December 2007)
#5 Fastest Commute Time (Money magazine, 2006)
#16 on Healthy Cities list (Organic Style magazine, September/October 2003)
#1 "Best Places in America" (Forbes magazine, 2000)
#13 Best Places to Live" (Money.com, 1999)
“Best Places to Retire" (US News & World Report, 2008; CNN money.com 2005 & 2006; Kiplingers' Personal Finance magazine, 1998)
#1 Cycling Community in America (Bicycling magazine, 1997)

Other Notable Features