Butte County

Butte County is an administrative district in north-central California, stretching from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada to the broad valleys along the Sacramento River. The area includes forested zones in the higher elevations, agricultural plains and several small communities alongside the larger towns of Chico and Oroville.

The district was created in February 1850 in the first months after California became a US state. In the following years many settlers arrived because of gold deposits and later for farming opportunities in the region.

The name comes from the Sutter Buttes in the neighboring district, while the landscape itself is shaped by orchards and rice fields. In the smaller towns you can still see architecture from the California Gold Rush era, with low wooden houses and wide streets.

The public bus network connects the different communities in the district, with Chico serving as the largest hub. Visitors heading to the higher mountain areas should check road conditions in winter, as some routes close during snow.

The local libraries lend camping gear, telescopes and other equipment alongside books through a special program called Library of Things. The rural branches in particular offer access to tools and leisure items that not everyone can afford to buy.

Location: California

Inception: 1850

Capital city: Oroville

Shares border with: Tehama County, Sutter County, Yuba County, Colusa County, Glenn County, Plumas County

Website: https://buttecounty.net

GPS coordinates: 39.66000,-121.60000

Latest update: December 13, 2025 15:42