Real Estate Investing in Oroville, California (95966)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Butte County • Population: 29,335 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 95966 (Oroville, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (36/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 15.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (0.2% CAGR).
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

What’s happening in Oroville, CA (95966)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $311,083
Avg Monthly Rent $1,499
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $62,519
% Renters 25.1%

Market Analysis: 95966 Oroville

Investors eyeing 95966 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $311K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

The 95966 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Looking more closely, 95966 offers a low basis, the region around Oroville has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

The demographic picture in 95966 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Oroville averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Strategically, 95966 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Oroville:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 56/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
10/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 5× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,499/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Chico, CA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
47 days
Average time to sell
Average
8.6%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Chico, CA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 95966

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
5.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+3.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$91,747/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $153,281 $1,090 5.1% -1.9% $153,281
2BR $241,204 $1,400 4.2% +1.5% $120,602
3BR $328,408 $1,950 4.3% +3.2% $109,469
4BR $405,541 $2,350 4.2% +3.3% $101,385
5BR $458,736 +2.7% $91,747

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$357K$307K$256K$206K$155K$105KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,906$1,819$1,731$1,644$1,557$1,469Apr 2025Dec 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 95966 Compare?

Metric 95966 Oroville Chico, CA California
Home Value $311,083 $309,606 N/A $761,003
5-Year CAGR 0.2% 0.4% N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $1,499 $1,395 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.8% 3.5% - -
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 95966 (Oroville, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Butte County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Blue Oak Property Management is a full-service residential property management company with deep roots in the Chico community, offering high-end and personalized service. summary from their website

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Entwood Property Management is located at 2525 Ceanothus Ave, Chico, CA. summary from their website

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IPM Property Management offers multi-family and commercial property management services in Chico and Butte County, CA. summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+0.2%
Slow

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Chico, CA metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
43%
Days Pending
1/2
47 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $311,083
Monthly Rent $1,499
Price-to-Rent 17.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.8%
Cap Rate 3.8%
5-Year IRR 4.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR -0.1% ▼
5-Year CAGR +0.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -11.6% ▼
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.8%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
15.2%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+0.2%
Flat
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 95966

Population: 29,335

💰 Median Household Income
$62,519
This area
$62,519
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
25.1%
This area
25.1%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.2%
This area
4.2%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
16.2%
This area
16.2%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
44.5 years
This area
44.5 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
15.2%
This area
15.2%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 73.5%
Other/Mixed 19.3%
Hispanic/Latino 10.9%
Asian 5.5%
Black/African American 1.7%
👶 Under 18
21.3%
This area
21.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
24.8%
This area
24.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.3%
This area
7.3%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 95966

B Avg School Grade
15 Schools
19.3:1 Avg Class Size
$63,703 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

BASES Learning Center

📚 01 – 12 K-12
👥
15 Students
👨‍🏫
8.6:1 Class Size
💰
$375,306 Per Student
B+ Above Average

The Studios @ Central

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
325 Students
👨‍🏫
15.3:1 Class Size
💰
$15,662 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Oroville High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
870 Students
👨‍🏫
20.3:1 Class Size
💰
$17,063 Per Student
B Good

Helen M. Wilcox Elementary

📚 K – 03 Elementary
👥
566 Students
👨‍🏫
20.9:1 Class Size
💰
$16,761 Per Student
B Good

Ishi Hills Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
335 Students
👨‍🏫
19.5:1 Class Size
💰
$15,662 Per Student
B Good

Ophir Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
441 Students
👨‍🏫
20.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,662 Per Student
B Good

Come Back Butte Charter

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
77 Students
👨‍🏫
19.6:1 Class Size
💰
$375,306 Per Student
B Good

Oakdale Heights Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
278 Students
👨‍🏫
20.6:1 Class Size
💰
$15,662 Per Student
B Good

Wyandotte Academy

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
258 Students
👨‍🏫
19.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,662 Per Student
B Good

Honcut

📚 K – 03 Elementary
👥
18 Students
👨‍🏫
18.0:1 Class Size
💰
$16,761 Per Student
B Good

Stanford Avenue Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
418 Students
👨‍🏫
23.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,662 Per Student
C+ Average

Las Plumas High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,299 Students
👨‍🏫
22.2:1 Class Size
💰
$17,063 Per Student
C+ Average

Golden Hills Elementary

📚 04 – 05 Elementary
👥
247 Students
👨‍🏫
24.6:1 Class Size
💰
$16,761 Per Student
C+ Average

Sierra Del Oro Inclusive Preschool

📚 Grade M Elementary Limited Data
💰
$15,662 Per Student
C Below Average

Ipakanni Early College Charter

📚 K – 12 K-12 Charter
👥
63 Students
👨‍🏫
18.2:1 Class Size
💰
$10,891 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oroville, CA a good place for real estate investing?

The 2.0/5 investability rating in Oroville, CA reflects its $311K prices and $1,499/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within CA.

How much do tenants pay in Oroville, CA?

The typical rental in Oroville, CA commands about $1,499/mo monthly. That rent profile consistent cash flow against the $311K purchase basis.

What kind of vacancy should I budget for in Oroville, CA?

Rental vacancy in Oroville, CA is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

Is Oroville, CA good for house hacking?

Oroville, CA is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $311K price point reasonable to enter.

What type of investing works in Oroville, CA?

Most investors in Oroville, CA run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 2.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

You know 95966 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 95966 ranks in Chico, CA

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