Well, 3 percent of 85,000 is 2,550. And you care, why? Because 3 percent has been the long-term population growth rate in Chico and growth is continuing at that pace. That means 2,550 new residents this year and probably next.

Planners understand that they are usually organized into households of 2.14 per household. So, 2,550 divided by 2.14 equals the demand for housing in a little growing town like ours.

The result? Chico has to produce 1,191 housing units a year to keep up. That’s apartment units, houses, senior facilities, everything. With only about 600 houses currently on the market, needless to say, we’ll be seeing construction activity in Chico for many years to come.