$636,654Average Value$307Average Price per Sq Ft8Homes For Sale
Country roads to quiet places, close to vibrant Chico
Fresh air, simple living, progressive farming and relaxing wineries are woven into the Northern California landscape across Durham. Stretching southwest just 6 miles outside of vibrant downtown Chico, this rural town is lush with agricultural property, buildable land and single-family homes on generous lots. "It's a small suburb of Chico," says Kristin Cooper, Owner of Durham Stable Park, "where there's a whole lot of horse boarding facilities and beautiful orchards." Resident farmers and ranchers nurture flowers, vegetables, nuts, rice, livestock and more. "Durham feels like stepping back in time in a lot of ways," says Yvette Zuniga, Director of Durham's Historic Patrick Ranch Museum. "I'm sitting outside right now, and there's butterflies and birds everywhere — it's magical. You can easily imagine what life was like before all this technology and all these things that take up space. This is a place where you just feel more tranquil."
Welcome to Durham, California.
From Durham, there is agriculture in every direction.
1/2
Outdoors galore at Durham Community Park, historic farm, and country club
Locals love the outdoorsy, country feel of Durham. Durham Community Park, the oldest in Durham, offers 24 acres of picnic, play and sports options. Large, reservable covered and uncovered picnic areas can accommodate gatherings of up to 400 for barbecues, birthdays and celebrations. The park brims with oak trees casting dappled shade across wide grass lawns. There's even a riding arena for horse lovers. Down the street from the park, Durham Park Stable offers equestrian boarding and care. "The public riding arena at Durham Community Park is open all the time" says Cooper, "and they do host private events. My business, Durham Park Stable, is a private boarding arena and an equestrian Airbnb. It's a great launching point for all the horse-riding opportunities around here, from Bidwell Park to Butte Meadows to Lake Oroville about 30 miles south." Butte Creek winds through the center of Durham, leading north to the 287-acre Butte Creek Canyon Ecological Reserve, where locals go to birdwatch, hike and fish. The reserve is home to a range of wildlife species, including western bluebirds, bobcats, beavers and wintering bald eagles.
The Historic Patrick Ranch Museum opened in 2010. It offers farmhouse tours and self-guided exploration through the Butte County master gardeners' demonstration garden. Kids love the hands-on growing workshops and marvel at vintage tractors that will soon become a museum collection. This volunteer-run farm was bequeathed in 2001 to the Far West Heritage Association by its final owners, Hester and Garrison Patrick, to be preserved as a museum. Seasonal crops on the ranch's 28 acres include sunflowers, wheat and pumpkins. Area golfers can join the Butte Creek Country Club, whose slogan is "where membership becomes family." Five teeing areas encourage all playing levels on this 18-hole parkland course. Members enjoy on-site dining, a Kids Club with planned activities and regulation bocce courts. Half a dozen pickleball courts were added in late 2023.
The Butte Creek Country Club is a private Golf Club.
The Durham Community Park has a horse arena for public use.
1/2
Modest single-family to custom estates with orchards
Residential character throughout Durham varies from sidewalked developments with thick trees and well-tended landscaping to country-rural properties with expansive agricultural lots. Most of the homes in Durham are single-family. Midcentury ranch styles ask between $400,000 and $700,000. Newer homes in the private, gated Fairway Oaks community overlooking the Butte Creek Country Club and golf course range from $1 million to $1.5 million. There's also a handful of condos near the country club ranging from $450,000 to $500,000. Homes with acres of orchards and large estates built in the 1990s and 2000s fetch between $1.3 million and $2.7 million. Buildable lots can be found in the area from $105,000 for just over an acre to $725,000 for 25 acres.
You can find a variety of properties to suite your needs in Durham.
Durham is a small charming town in northern California
1/2
Casual breakfast at Rooster Café, more options in Downtown Chico
A small cluster of casual eateries converge at the crossroads of Durham-Dayton Highway and Midway, including two hot spots for Mexican fare: California Tacos food truck and Pueblito's Mexican Grill. Red Rooster Café is a tiny stop-in that opens early, serving breakfast and lunch. For dates and outings, Durham's fertile landscape accommodates vintners such as Almendra Winery and Distillery, known for its upscale menu featuring lobster mac and cheese and Wagyu steak in red wine mushroom sauce. Family-owned Nascere Vineyards has a lovely outdoor tasting patio and Dog Creek Cellars is a boutique organic winery. It's common to see signs pointing to vineyards at main intersections.
And within just a half-mile drive from where Midway meets Park Avenue on the northern edge of Durham, Downtown Chico is lined with restaurants, coffee shops, an ice cream parlor, bars and bakeries. Locals can shop the Chico Certified Farmers Market and Thursday Night Market downtown or pick up convenience groceries in Durham at Chico Produce or Dollar General. Durham Country Market is the go-to for stocking up on beer, seltzers and spirits. Chico Marketplace, just 2 miles from the north end of Durham off Golden State Highway, is anchored by WinCo Foods for larger grocery runs.
The Red Rooster has a friendly relaxed atmosphere.
Many Durham residents go into Chico to shop and dine.
1/2
B-grade Durham Unified schools
The Durham Unified School District and all three schools in the Durham public pipeline earn a B grade on Niche. Kids start at Durham Elementary, move on to Durham Intermediate, and graduate from Durham High. In preparation for the 2024-2025 school year, Durham Intermediate completed a $10.5-million-dollar renovation, adding eight new classrooms, an on-site cafeteria and a new administration building. In 2024, the Durham High Trojans boys' wrestling team won their first Northern Section title since 1960. Durham is also home to California State University Chico's 800-acre Paul L. Byrne Memorial University Farm, named in honor of Senator Byrne. Chico State students learn farming first-hand as part-time employees at the farm, just 5 miles from the main campus. Thousands tour the farm annually, and area growers benefit from the farm's ongoing research, using practices including soil fertility demonstration plots and digestibility testing. The farm also hosts a calendar of professional seminars and Future Farmers of America field days.
Durham Elementary School is a Public school in Durham, California.
Durham High School is located in Durham, California.
1/2
Golden State Highway eastern border, Midway Bike Path
Although most residents use cars to commute into Chico or run errands, Butte Regional Transit B-Line bus stops are available along Midway. Locals can also ride the scenic Midway Bike Path, which parallels Midway past scenic orchards directly into Chico. The closest major airport is Chico Regional, 14 miles from the heart of Durham. For international travel, Sacramento International Airport is about an hour-and-a-half drive, approximately 80 miles south on the Golden State Highway.
The bike trail in Durham will take you through the scnic country side to Chico.
The Chico Airport is about 14 miles north of Durham.
1/2
Seasonal celebrations at Patrick Ranch Museum
In the neighborhood, Patrick Ranch Museum hosts family-friendly events unique to Durham. Says Zuniga, "Every fall, we have our Autumn Fest with a pumpkin patch and pony rides, and every spring, we host the California Nut Festival." Every summer, the Country Faire and Tractor show revs up on the museum grounds, buzzing with interactive harvesting demonstrations, a high-energy tractor pull competition, a draft horse parade and tram rides.
The Patrick Ranch Museum grounds is where many Durham events happen.
Patrick Ranch holds some of the biggest event on the region.
1/2
Written By
Lia Girard
Photography Contributed By
Wesley Jimerson
Video By
Zoe Sarris
Was this overview helpful?
Agents Specializing in this Area
Lori Akers
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Lori Akers,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Oroville Wildlife Area
Durham Community Park
Bidwell Park
Riverbend Park
Forebay Beach
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Durham
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Durham, Chico sell after 43 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Durham, Chico over the last 12 months is $731,192, up 9% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Is living on the golf course your dream? Well here it is - a beautiful custom home built in 2005, with 4 bedrooms 3 baths 2677 S/F 2.5 car garage (1/2 for your golf cart) and a bonus work room or shop. It has large oversized rooms throughout and a modern open floor plan that is great for entertaining. There is a super view of the 13th hole from the living room and back porch. The house is located
Stunning 3-Bedroom Home in Highly Sought-After Durham Location!Tucked away on a peaceful cul-de-sac in one of Durham’s most desirable neighborhoods, this beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, bonus room with a wall of cabinets, 3-bath home offers the perfect blend of comfort, space, and style. With 2,366 sq. ft. of living space on a generous 0.33-acre lot, this property is packed with features
Charming Updated Home in Prime Durham Location!Welcome to this adorable, move-in-ready home in the heart of Durham—just minutes from everything the city has to offer! This lovingly updated residence features stylish luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout, a brand-new mini split AC system for year-round comfort, and thoughtful touches in every corner.The spacious 2-car garage
Nestled in the heart of Durham, this 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home has been updated both inside and out and is a must-see! Situated on a large but manageable 8.29-acre lot, this property features fully landscaped grounds plus 7acs of Misson and Padre almonds with solid-set sprinklers, a new roof, new exterior paint, RV parking, a circular driveway, large barn with animal pens and a chicken coop -
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Lori Akers,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
4,966
Median Age
43
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
22.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
22.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$112,126
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$125,361
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
95.7%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
35.4%
Advanced Degrees
15.9%
% Population in Labor Force
56.5%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
28''
Average Winter Low Temperature
35°F
Average Summer High Temperature
94°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
34/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
