Chico at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 101,301, placing it 73rd among California's 482 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 103,277 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down about 1.9% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among California places: 73rd by size among 482 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 85% of the places in California (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 39.7590, -121.8177 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Roseville, CA (73 mi); Sacramento, CA (84 mi); Elk Grove, CA (96 mi); Vacaville, CA (97 mi); Santa Rosa, CA (102 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller communities: Paradise, CA (11 mi); Orland, CA (20 mi); Corning, CA (23 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in Chico
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
APR is the figure that lets you compare like with like, since it wraps fees into the rate; run your own numbers with the personal loan calculator.
Because interest accrues for longer, a longer term means a lower installment and a higher total cost — decide which matters more to you.
Pre-qualification is a good first filter: it shows the rate and amount a lender may offer before you agree to a full application and a hard inquiry.
California lending rules that apply in Chico
The table lists the California rules that apply to a loan made in Chico, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State lending regulator | California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) Source says: "“Department” means the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation". | California Legislature — Financial Code § 23001 as of 2026-09-16 |
| 36% rate cap on mid-size consumer loans (AB 539) | Consumer loans of $2,500 to under $10,000: cap of 36% per annum simple interest plus the Federal Funds Rate Source says: "charges at a rate not exceeding an annual simple interest rate of 36 percent per annum plus the Federal Funds Rate". | California Legislature — Financial Code § 22304.5 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 7% per annum default; written contracts may set up to 10% per annum for consumer-purpose loans Source says: "shall be 7 percent per annum"; "for use primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, at a rate not exceeding 10 percent per annum". | California Legislature — California Constitution, Article XV, § 1 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted under the California Deferred Deposit Transaction Law; max $300 face amount; fee ≤15%; term up to 31 days Source says: "The face amount of the check shall not exceed three hundred dollars ($300)"; "A fee for a deferred deposit transaction shall not exceed 15 percent of the face amount of the check" (Financial Code § 23036). | California Legislature — Financial Code § 23035 (and § 23036) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Finance lender/broker license required from the Commissioner of Financial Protection and Innovation (California Financing Law) Source says: "No person shall engage in the business of a finance lender or broker without obtaining a license from the commissioner". | California Legislature — Financial Code § 22100 as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Chico
Before you share your details with a lender in Chico:
- Pull your free credit reports and dispute any error — it is the cheapest way to improve the rate you are offered.
- Run your figures through the personal loan calculator on this site so you know the payment before a lender quotes one.
- Pre-qualify with at least three lenders and compare the APR, not the interest rate.
- Check that the lender is licensed in California using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.