Chester ZIP Codes — Plumas County, CA

There is one unique ZIP code in Chester, California and it is 96020. Area code: 530.

ZIP codes

56.31

sq mi land

0.49

sq mi water

530

area code

Chester, CA ZIP code map

About Chester, CA

Chester, California, is a charming small town nestled in the beautiful landscapes of Plumas County. Known for its stunning natural scenery, Chester serves as a gateway to recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, and skiing. The town is characterized by a close-knit community and a rich history connected to the region's natural resources.

Location & geography

Chester is located in Northern California, approximately 20 miles southeast of the town of Susanville, and about 30 miles north of Lake Almanor. The area is characterized by a diverse terrain featuring mountainous landscapes, with a total land area of 56.31 square miles and a water area of 0.49 square miles. It is situated near several natural landmarks, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Community & economy

The character of Chester revolves around its outdoor recreation and friendly community spirit, where residents enjoy a laid-back lifestyle. The town's economy is supported by industries such as tourism and small businesses that thrive on servicing visitors to the area. Daily life in Chester often includes community events and outdoor activities that highlight its natural beauty.

Transportation

Chester is accessible via California State Route 36, which connects it to nearby cities and recreational areas. The nearest major airport is the Susanville Municipal Airport, situated approximately 25 miles away, providing regional access for travel. Public transportation options are limited, but the scenic byways encourage car travel for visitors.

History

Founded in the late 1800s, Chester emerged during the gold rush era and was heavily influenced by logging and tourism as key industries. Its development was fueled by access to natural resources and its proximity to the stunning Lake Almanor area, which attracted outdoor enthusiasts and settlers. Chester has since maintained its historical charm while evolving into a sought-after destination for nature lovers.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Chester is that it hosts an annual event known as the 'Chester Classic,' a popular mountain bike race that attracts participants from various regions. Additionally, the town's picturesque setting and proximity to the Sierra Nevada make it an ideal spot for both winter and summer recreational activities.

ZIP codes for Chester, CA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
96020	Chester	Plumas	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,593

Population

59.1

Median age

$85,536

Median household income

$54,191

Per capita income

$264,700

Median home value

$1,031

Median monthly rent

80.8%

Home ownership

7.9%

Poverty rate

1.9%

Unemployment

1,773

Housing units

23.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

185

25–34

161

125

35–44

109

101

45–54

55–59

114

60–64

100

350

65–74

306

147

75–84

129

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	362	14.0%
18 and over	2,231	86.0%
65 and over	1,040	40.1%
Median age	59.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 94.1%

Hispanic or Latino 2.4%

Two or more races 1.8%

Other race 1.1%

Black or African American 0.6%

Group	Count	%
White	2,499	94.1%
Hispanic or Latino	64	2.4%
Two or more races	49	1.8%
Other race	30	1.1%
Black or African American	15	0.6%

Household income

Under $10k 2.9%

$10k–$15k 1.5%

$15k–$25k 5.2%

$25k–$35k 5.6%

$35k–$50k 13.5%

$50k–$75k 14.8%

$75k–$100k 18.5%

$100k–$150k 10.3%

$150k–$200k 6.3%

$200k+ 21.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.9%
$10k–$15k	1.5%
$15k–$25k	5.2%
$25k–$35k	5.6%
$35k–$50k	13.5%
$50k–$75k	14.8%
$75k–$100k	18.5%
$100k–$150k	10.3%
$150k–$200k	6.3%
$200k+	21.3%
Median income	$85,536

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 9.2%

$50k–$100k 0.9%

$100k–$150k 11.7%

$150k–$200k 7.4%

$200k–$300k 29.9%

$300k–$500k 18.9%

$500k–$1M 20.0%

$1M+ 2.0%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$264,700
Median rent / month	$1,031
Owner occupied	80.8%
Renter occupied	19.2%
Vacant	43.4%
Single-family detached	85.4%
Large apartment buildings	4.2%
Mobile homes	3.5%
Median rooms	5.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.33

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	0.3%
2000–2009	13.0%
1990–1999	26.6%
1980–1989	15.7%
1970–1979	15.9%
1960–1969	7.2%
1950–1959	14.4%
1940–1949	4.9%
1939 or earlier	1.9%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.7%
1 bedroom	10.8%
2 bedrooms	19.2%
3 bedrooms	55.9%
4 bedrooms	10.6%
5+ bedrooms	2.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.8%
1 vehicle	22.7%
2 vehicles	35.3%
3 or more	37.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	12.8%
Electricity	3.5%
Propane / LP gas	24.0%
Fuel oil	7.1%
Wood	50.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	625	55.6%
Cohabiting couple	62	5.5%
Male householder, no spouse	120	10.7%
Female householder, no spouse	318	28.3%
Households with children under 18	177	15.7%
Households with seniors (65+)	686	61.0%
Average household size	2.28

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	27.5%	6.7%
Married	60.5%	60.3%
Separated	0.0%	1.2%
Widowed	1.0%	13.5%
Divorced	11.0%	18.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.4%

Some HS, no diploma 3.5%

HS graduate 19.6%

Some college, no degree 46.4%

Associate's degree 2.6%

Bachelor's degree 16.1%

Graduate / professional 7.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	92.2%
Bachelor's or higher	23.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	13	4.6%
Kindergarten	16	5.7%
Elementary school	206	73.3%
High school	30	10.7%
College / grad school	16	5.7%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 28.3%

Agriculture & mining 15.5%

Manufacturing 9.0%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.4%

Construction 7.3%

Retail trade 6.8%

Public administration 6.6%

Professional & management 6.1%

Information 3.8%

Finance & real estate 3.0%

Other services 2.9%

Wholesale trade 2.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	24.2%
Service	24.5%
Sales & office	22.9%
Natural resources & construction	11.5%
Production & transportation	17.0%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	61.5%
Government	34.2%
Self-employed	4.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	79.7%
Carpool	9.6%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.1%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	15.0

Poverty

All people 7.9%

Under 18 years 14.1%

18 and over 6.9%

Married-couple families 5.8%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	55.7%
Retirement income	44.9%
Supplemental Security	1.0%
Cash public assistance	3.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	8.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	33.6%
High cholesterol	36.0%
Heart disease	7.3%
Stroke	3.4%
Asthma	10.3%
Arthritis	28.0%
Kidney disease	3.2%
Pulmonary disease	8.2%
Cancer	7.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.8%
No physical activity	19.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.8%
Fair or poor health	14.7%
Poor mental health	14.7%
Poor physical health	11.6%
No health insurance	8.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)	69.4%
Visited dentist	67.2%
Cholesterol screening	92.6%
Teeth loss	10.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	317	14.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	19.6%
Under 18	3.9%
18–64 years	10.6%
65 and over	35.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	71.1%
Public insurance	59.0%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,507	96.7%
Spanish	1	0.0%
Other Indo-European	1	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	2,588	99.8%
Born in same state	2,588	99.8%
Born in different state	1,872	72.2%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	5	0.2%
Not a US citizen	1	20.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	285	11%
Italian	232	8.9%
English	36	1.4%
Irish	31	1.2%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	23	0.9%
Polish	22	0.8%
Arab	9	0.3%
German	4	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	43.4%
Internet access	90.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Chester, CA have?

Chester, CA has one ZIP code: 96020. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.