Economic Development

Butte County, California is a place of natural beauty with countless opportunities for recreation in both rural and urban environments. The County is committed to protecting and enhancing agriculture as the backbone of the local economy, and for the open spaces that make Butte County a beautiful place to live and work.

California Map Showing Butte CountyLocated 90 miles north of Sacramento from the Sacramento River (its western boundary) to the Sierra Nevada Mountains (its eastern perimeter) Butte County's elevation spans from 90 to 7,800 feet above sea level making the County geographically diverse. The County encompasses 1,636 square miles of land with a population of 220,000 residents. The majority of Butte County residents live in one of the five incorporated towns or cities:

Butte County is accessible by Highway 99 and Highway 70 with areas of the County just 20 minutes from Interstate 5 (I-5).

Butte County is proud to be the home of California State University, Chico (Chico State), Lake Oroville and the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. The County has a culture of business innovation fostered by the entrepreneurial community and bolstered by Chico State and Butte Community College. Why do business in Butte County?

  • Ideal for small and medium sized companies serving global markets
  • Easy market access due to central west coast location
  • Available skilled labor
  • Innovative partnerships with higher education
  • Lower cost of doing business
  • High quality of life
  • Assistance in start-up, relocation and expansion