The Town FilesChariton, Iowa
City in Lucas County · population 4,193 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $81,900
- Household income
- $46,979
- Jan low / Jul high
- 11° / 85°
- Snow a year
- 24 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 11
- Median age
- 38.6
Chariton is a city of 4,193 people in Lucas County, Iowa. The median home is worth $81,900, below the typical Iowa town ($156,300). It ranks more walkable than 85% of Iowa towns, more vibrant than 83% of Iowa towns, hipper than 79% of Iowa towns.
How Chariton ranks
Percentile among Iowa towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Iowa towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Chariton is worth $81,900, below the typical Iowa town ($156,300). Homes cost about 1.7 times the median household income of $46,979, which is more affordable than 88% of Iowa towns. Median rent is $689 a month. 64.5% of households own their home.
| Housing | Chariton | Typical Iowa town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $81,900 | $156,300 |
| Median rent | $689 | $820 |
| Median household income | $46,979 | $69,254 |
| Home value ÷ income | 1.7× | 2.2× |
| Homeownership | 64.5% | 77.1% |
| Median year built | 1955 | 1962 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 0.0% | — |
Who lives in Chariton
| People | Chariton | Typical Iowa town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.6 | 40.2 |
| Age 65 and over | 19.8% | 20.0% |
| Under 18 | 26.0% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.4% | 21.8% |
| Below the poverty line | 17.1% | 9.3% |
| Veterans | 6.4% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 6.2% | — |
| Work from home | 5.0% | 7.1% |
| Average commute | 15.7 min | 21.6 min |
| Homes with broadband | 81.4% | 88.5% |
Weather in Chariton
July highs average 84.5°F and January lows 10.6°F. About 37.3 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 24.1 inches of snow (typical Iowa town: 32.5 in). Expect about 17 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 154 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
11 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Chariton since 1950, compared with 24 for the typical Iowa town. 5 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an F4, struck on May 10, 1953 about 7.3 miles from the town center. Tornadoes within 10 miles have caused 1 deaths and 1 injuries since 1950. The most recent was on March 5, 2022.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 40 times; the largest was 2.00 inches on June 18, 2021.
Severe weather in Lucas County since 1996
Lucas County has been included in 15 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, hurricane, biological.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| March 23, 2020 | Biological | DR-4483: Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3480: Covid-19 |
| March 23, 2019 | Flood | DR-4421: Severe Storms And Flooding |
| July 31, 2015 | Severe Storm | DR-4234: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding |
| May 31, 2013 | Flood | DR-4119: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding |
Jobs and pay in Lucas County
Lucas County had 3,351 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $50,709 a year. Unemployment was 2.4% in 2023; in Chariton itself the ACS puts it at 9.1%.
Public schools in Chariton
4 public schools with 1,248 students, about 14.2 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chariton High School | 9-12 | 375 | 13.9 |
| Columbus Elementary School | K-2 | 309 | 14.7 |
| Chariton Middle School | 6-8 | 288 | 13.1 |
| Van Allen Elementary School | 3-5 | 276 | 15.3 |
Towns near Chariton
- Knoxville, IA23.4 mi · 7,595 people · home $160,300
- Osceola, IA24.9 mi · 5,415 people · home $146,300
- Albia, IA26.4 mi · 3,721 people · home $130,300
- Indianola, IA27.3 mi · 15,833 people · home $237,500
Chariton questions
Is Chariton, Iowa a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Chariton scores better for retirees than 11% of Iowa towns and quieter than 27%. 19.8% of residents are 65 or older (median age 38.6).
How much does a house cost in Chariton?
The median owner-occupied home in Chariton is valued at $81,900 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $46,979, so homes cost about 1.7 times income. Median rent is $689 a month.
What is the weather like in Chariton?
July highs average 84.5°F and January lows 10.6°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 37.3 inches of precipitation a year and 24.1 inches of snow.
Does Chariton get tornadoes?
11 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Chariton since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was a F4 on May 10, 1953. The typical Iowa town has had 24.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)