Oroville (Calif.)

Oroville (Oro, Spanish for "Gold" and Ville, French for "town") is the county seat of Butte County, California, United States. Its population was 15,506 at the 2010 census, up from 13,004 in the 2000 census. After the 2018 Camp Fire that destroyed much of the town of Paradise, Oroville's population increased as many people who lost their homes moved there. The 2020 census recorded Oroville's population as 20,042. Oroville is considered the gateway to Lake Oroville and Feather River recreational areas. The Berry Creek Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California is headquartered in Oroville. Oroville is adjacent to State Route 70 and in close proximity to State Route 99, which connects Butte County with Interstate 5. The city of Chico is about 23 miles (37 kilometers) northwest of the city, and the state capital, Sacramento, around 70 miles (110 kilometers) to the south. Oroville's nickname is the "City of Gold", which is essentially the Spanish name of the city in English. The National Arbor Day Foundation has declared Oroville a Tree City USA for 41 years.