City · Iowa
Chariton, Iowa
Chariton, city, in Lucas County, Iowa. Chariton had 4,347 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.7% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 4,193 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 4,242 (±16). GEOID 1912720.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
4,347
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 4,193 · ACS 2020-2024: 4,242 ±16
Median household income
$46,979
±$11,523 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$81,900
±$9,946 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$689
±$171 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
Where is Chariton and what county is it in?
Chariton is a city in Lucas County, Iowa. It covers 3.8 square miles of land, 1,113 residents per square mile in 2020.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Chariton, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 4,347 people lived in Chariton on July 1, 2025, up 3.7% since 2020, faster than Iowa (+1.5%). The 2020 Census counted 4,193 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 4,242 (±16).
| Measure | Chariton | Lucas County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 4,242 ±16 | 8,716 | +93 |
| Households | 1,821 ±103 | 3,708 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.28 ±0.13 | 2.33 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,924 ±107 | 4,074 | −257 |
Chariton's population since 2000
From 4,573 in 2000 to 4,347 in 2025: down 4.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Chariton as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Chariton?
The median resident of Chariton is 38.6 years old; 26.0% are under 18 and 19.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 5.0%. 6.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Chariton | Lucas County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.6 ±2.6 | 41.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 26.0% ±2.3 pts | 23.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.8% ±2.5 pts | 22.0% | – |
| Male | 51.3% ±2.4 pts | 51.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.0% ±1.3 pts | 2.9% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.3% ±1.5 pts | 94.0% | −4.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.5% ±0.9 pts | 0.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.6% ±0.8 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.2% ±2.0 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.9% ±2.6 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.4% ±2.3 pts | 6.7% | – |
| With a disability | 20.7% ±5.1 pts | 17.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.1% ±3.1 pts | 8.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.2% ±3.1 pts | 91.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 13.4% ±4.3 pts | 15.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.5% ±2.2 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 76.3% ±6.6 pts | 85.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.0% ±3.5 pts | 2.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Chariton earn?
Half of Chariton's 1,821 households earn less than $46,979 a year (±$11,523), against $61,793 in Lucas County and $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $59,905 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 17.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Chariton | Lucas County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $46,979 ±$11,523 | $61,793 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $59,145 ±$6,853 | $75,764 | – |
| Per capita income | $25,196 ±$3,360 | $32,274 | −$7,245 |
| People below the poverty line | 17.1% ±5.8 pts | 14.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 18.8% ±9.8 pts | 15.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.3% ±5.1 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Households with a computer | 87.8% ±5.4 pts | 88.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 81.4% ±5.8 pts | 80.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Chariton?
Owners occupy 64.5% of Chariton's occupied homes and renters 35.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $81,900 by its owner (±$9,946). The median renter pays $689 a month including utilities, and 12.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Chariton | Lucas County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $81,900 ±$9,946 | $120,200 | −$21,478 |
| Median gross rent | $689 ±$171 | $709 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 12.5% ±8.0 pts | 15.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,197 ±$160 | $1,351 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 64.5% ±6.2 pts | 78.8% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 35.5% ±6.2 pts | 21.2% | – |
| Housing units | 1,924 ±107 | 4,074 | −257 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±2.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.7% ±2.4 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 72.8% ±6.0 pts | 82.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.3% ±1.6 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5% ±0.6 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 2.8% ±2.5 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 41.9% ±6.7 pts | 37.5% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 12.5% ±4.4 pts | 7.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Chariton building?
Builders took permits for 1 new housing units in Chariton in 2025 (1 in single-family houses), 0.2 per 1,000 residents against 4.2 across Iowa.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Chariton work and get to work?
82.3% of Chariton's workers drive alone and 5.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 15.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 9.1%.
| Measure | Chariton | Lucas County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.0% ±3.9 pts | 60.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 9.1% ±3.7 pts | 5.2% | +6.1 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 82.3% ±5.8 pts | 82.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.7% ±4.0 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±1.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 4.9% ±3.5 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.0% ±3.1 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 15.7 min ±4.2 | 22.8 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Chariton?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Chariton, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $36,786 (Tract 9503) to $61,377 (Tract 9504).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9504Lucas County | 2,380 | $61,377 |
| Tract 9503Lucas County | 2,028 | $36,786 |
| Tract 9501Lucas County | 1,990 | $61,736 |
| Tract 9502Lucas County | 2,318 | $91,297 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Chariton) · Census block assignment files
How does Chariton compare with other places in Iowa?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Chariton is the 5,297th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 98th-most populous of 939 in Iowa.
Chariton ranks 275th of 279 places in Iowa with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 98th | 939 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 55th | 275 |
| Residents per square mile | 129th | 279 |
| Median household income | 275th | 279 |
| Per capita income | 277th | 279 |
| Median home value | 277th | 279 |
| Median gross rent | 239th | 266 |
| Poverty rate | 32nd | 232 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 268th | 279 |
| Median age | 164th | 279 |
| Owner-occupied share | 235th | 279 |
| Work from home | 198th | 221 |
| Travel time to work | 231st | 279 |
Chariton's figures with every place in Iowa (CSV)
Every place in Iowa, sortable · Compare Chariton with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Chariton?
11 of the 57 figures for Chariton on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Chariton are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Chariton.