| City: | Stirling City, California |
| County: | Butte County |
| Timezone: | Pacific (GMT -08:00) |
| Local Time: | 10:02:02 AM |
| Population: | 137 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 530 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 39.9038, -121.5279 |
| Land Area: | 0.037 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Stirling City sits at around 3,500 feet in California's northern Sierra Nevada, tucked into forested terrain in Butte County. Only 137 people live here, but the post office maintains 139 PO Boxes. That's more than two boxes per household. This ZIP is classified as a PO Box Only Zone, meaning there's no alternative mail delivery anywhere in the 19-square-mile territory.
The math tells the story: 57 occupied homes and 139 PO Boxes give a 2.44 adoption rate. People from surrounding mountain areas without addresses drive to Stirling City for their mail. The Skyway, the main road through town, connects isolated properties scattered through the pines. Side streets like Manzanita, Oak, and Spruce take their names from local vegetation, while Granite, Mica, Quartz, and Lava reflect the region's geology.
This is old mountain California. Of 67 housing units, 65 were built before 1939. That's 97% of the housing stock dating to an era when lumber mills and mining drove Sierra foothill settlement. Ten units (15%) sit vacant for seasonal use, suggesting a mix of year-round residents and cabin owners.
Median age runs 43.5 years, typical for a rural mountain community without large employers. Household income averages $56,250. Only 7% of adults hold bachelor's degrees, well below state averages. The population skews toward working-class families who chose mountain living over urban amenities. With no businesses listed in employment data and all mail funneling through a single post office, Stirling City functions as a quiet residential hub for the surrounding forest.
Street names reflect the natural setting: trees like manzanita, oak, spruce, and pine alongside geological features like granite, mica, quartz, and lava.
ZIP Code 95978 has 137 residents and 57 households (average 2.40 persons per household). The median age is 43.5 years, older than the state (37.5) and older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 61.3% male and 38.7% female, which is much higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (63.5%, much higher than the state average of 41.2%) and Hispanic or Latino (14.6%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 14.6%, which is much lower than the state average (39.4%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 137Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 142Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 3,702.7 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $0Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 57Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $666,666,666Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.40Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 3.44Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 58 | 27 | 24 | 0 | 110 | 115 | 132 | 163 | 245 | 153 | 114 | 98 | 283 | 142 |
| Decennial Census | 143 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 137 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 43.5
Male Median Age: 58.5
Female Median Age: 22.3
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 4 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 13 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Female | 5 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 9 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 12 | 16 | 10 | 3 | 8 | 4 | 2 |
| White: | 87 | 74.36% |
| Black: | 2 | 1.71% |
| Hispanic:* | 20 | 17.09% |
| Asian: | 0 | 0% |
| American Indian: | 0 | 0% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 8 | 6.84% |
| Total: | 117 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 84 | 61.31% | 58.5 years |
| Females: | 53 | 38.69% | 22.3 years |
| Total: | 137 | 100% | 43.5 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 142 | 100.00% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Population: | 142 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 142 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $0, which is well under the national median ($80,734), is down $2,499 (100.0%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. Family households earn a median of $0 versus $0 for nonfamily households (a difference of $0). By gender, male median income is $0 and female is $0, which is considerably lower than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $0 that has stayed about the same from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 100.0%, which is much higher than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 100.0%, which is far worse than the national rate (5.2%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $2,499 | $2,499 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $124,318 | $56,250 | $0 |
| Median Family Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $30,795 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $2,499 | $2,499 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Employed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Unemployed: | 60 | 100.00% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 60 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 0 | 0% |
| Service: | 0 | 0% |
| Sales and Office: | 0 | 0% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 0 | 0% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 0 | 0% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 0 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $0, which is much lower than the national median ($332,700), is down $251,700 (100.00%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. The median gross rent is $0, which is well under the national median ($1,413), and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $581. Insufficient data for owner/renter mix. Insufficient data for vacancy rate.
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $251,700 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0% |
| $500 to $999: | 0 | 0% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 0 | 0% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0% |
| No Rent: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 0 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $581 | $757 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 30 | 100.00% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 0 | 0.00% |
| Renter Occupied: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 30 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 30 | 46.88% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 34 | 53.13% |
| Total Housing Units: | 64 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 30 | 46.88% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Other Units: | 34 | 53.13% |
| Total Housing Units: | 64 | 100% |
In 2024, 0.00% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is comparable to the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 100.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.40%). Private coverage is 0.00%, which is far lower than the national rate (67.10%). Public coverage is 100.00%, which is far higher than the national rate (36.70%). The share of people in poverty is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), up 25.00 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 34.40 percentage points. This signals a sharp increase in hardship - a shrinking consumer base, heavy pressure on public services, and job-market contraction risks. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is pre-K (51.85%). College enrollment is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (26.70%), meaning the community mirrors broader higher-education participation.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 0 | 0.00% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 30 | 50.00% |
| Some college, no degree: | 30 | 50.00% |
| Associate's degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 60 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 60 | 100.00% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Private Insurance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Public Insurance: | 142 | 100.00% |
| No Insurance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 142 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 142 | 100.00% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 0.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | 77.8% | 76.3% | 59.1% | 50.0% | 59.4% | 37.0% | 22.2% | 52.2% | 25.0% | 0.0% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 28 | 51.85% |
| Kindergarten: | 26 | 48.15% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0.00% |
| College or graduate school: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 54 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 54 | 100.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 26 | 48.15% |
ZIP Code 95978 is designated for PO Box delivery only; business establishment and employment data are not available.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 605Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 0Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $0Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $0Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 0Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 95978 is located in Butte County, California, within the Chico, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 17020) and California's 1st Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 220,000 people, about 0.06% of whom live in ZIP Code 95978. It covers 0.037 sq mi of land and a water area of 0 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Chico, CASource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 17020Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 220,000Source: Census |
| MSA: | Chico-Paradise, CA MSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 0.037 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | --Source: Census |
| Congressional District: | 01Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 28089.47 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | --Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 0674186Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Stirling City CDP; CaliforniaSource: Census |
We could not locate which school district 95978 belongs to, but we will update this once new district data is released. There are no public schools nor private schools with a mailing address in this ZIP Code. Listing Nearby schools instead. It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on February 1, 2026.