Townapedia
NRHP 06000774 Hotel Charitone - Chariton Iowa - 10-2-2016-4890
NRHP 06000774 Hotel Charitone - Chariton Iowa - 10-2-2016-4890 · Jason McLaren, CC BY-SA 4.0
Chariton, Iowa (11004127835)
Chariton, Iowa (11004127835) · Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
Herzog track train at Chariton Iowa - panoramio
Herzog track train at Chariton Iowa - panoramio · Loco Steve, CC BY 3.0
19950724 01 UP Chariton, IA (5368208083)
19950724 01 UP Chariton, IA (5368208083) · David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
The Chariton Cemetery Historic District
The Chariton Cemetery Historic District · Jim Roberts, CC BY-SA 4.0
First United Methodist Church 2012-09-27 19-35-17
First United Methodist Church 2012-09-27 19-35-17 · tiannajo, CC BY-SA 3.0

Chariton, Iowa

Chariton is a city of 4,242 people in Lucas County, Iowa, founded in 1850.

Loading the weather...
Population4,242 +2.2% since 2019
Elevation1,027 ft 313 m
Founded1850
Land area3.8 sq mi
ZIP code50049
Nearest airportKnoxville Municipal Airport (OXV) 22 mi

Why visit Chariton

Townapedia lists 14 museums and landmarks, 15 parks and trails, 8 places to eat, 3 places to stay and 1 attraction in and around town.

Highlights include Burlington Railroad Overpass, A. J. Stephens House and Carl L. Caviness Post 102, American Legion.

July is the warmest month, with average highs of 84°F; January lows average 11°F, and about 24 inches of snow fall in a normal year.

About Chariton

Chariton is a city in and the county seat of Lucas County, Iowa, United States. The population was 4,193 at the 2020 census. Chariton is the primary distribution center for and the former corporate headquarters of the Hy-Vee supermarket chain.

From the Wikipedia article Chariton, Iowa (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Things to do1

Burlington Railroad Overpass

Bridge · National Register of Historic Places · 3.3 mi

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Museums and landmarks14

A. J. Stephens House

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.5 mi

Building in Iowa, United States

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Carl L. Caviness Post 102, American Legion

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places

Building in Iowa, United States

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Chariton Cemetery

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.0 mi

Cemetery in Chariton, Iowa, United States

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Chariton City Hall and Fire Station

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places

Fire station in Iowa, United States of America

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Chariton Herald-Patriot Building

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places

Building in Iowa, United States

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Chariton Masonic Temple

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places

Masonic temple in Iowa, United States of America

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Chariton Public Library

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places

Public library in Iowa

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Freight House

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places

Railway station in Chariton, the United States of America

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Hotel Charitone

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places

Hotel in Iowa, United States of America

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

J. T. and Mollie Crozier House

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places

Historic house in Iowa, United States

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Lucas County Courthouse

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places

Courthouse in Iowa, United States

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Lucas County Courthouse Square Historic District

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places

Building in Iowa, United States

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

2 more on the map.

Parks, trails and playgrounds15

Brook Park

Park · 0.8 mi

Open in Google Maps

Constitution Park

Park

Open in Google Maps

Eikenberry Park

Park

Open in Google Maps

Franklin Park

Park · 0.4 mi

Open in Google Maps

Highway 34 Wetlands

Hiking and trails · 1.1 mi

Open in Google Maps

Johnson's Machine Works Park

Park

Open in Google Maps

Kuiper Wetlands

Hiking and trails · 1.3 mi

Open in Google Maps

North Park

Park · 0.5 mi

Open in Google Maps

North Ridge Park

Park · 0.5 mi

Open in Google Maps

Northwest Park

Park · 1.2 mi

Open in Google Maps

Pin Oak Marsh

Hiking and trails · 1.5 mi

Open in Google Maps

Practice Fields

Park · 0.7 mi

Open in Google Maps

3 more on the map.

Advertisement

Restaurants and cafes8

Breadaux Pizza

Restaurant · Pizza

Open in Google Maps

European Delight

Cafe

Open in Google Maps

Grumpy's

Restaurant

Open in Google Maps

Hurri-Bak Club

Bar and pub

Open in Google Maps

Sports Page 1

Bar and pub

Open in Google Maps

Sportsman's Bar

Bar and pub

Open in Google Maps

The Office

Bar and pub

Open in Google Maps

Hardee's

Fast food · Burger · 0.8 mi

2002 Court Avenue, Chariton

Open in Google Maps · +1 641-569-6419

History

Chariton was platted in 1850. Chariton was the name of a French trader.

From the History section of Chariton, Iowa on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where to stay3

Churches and places of worship22

Advertisement

Shopping3

Gas and EV charging1

Schools, colleges and libraries12

Advertisement

Healthcare2

Map of Chariton

81 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.

Climate by month

20°40°60°80°January: 1.0 in of rainFebruary: 1.4 in of rainMarch: 1.9 in of rainApril: 4.2 in of rainMay: 5.4 in of rainJune: 4.9 in of rainJuly: 4.2 in of rainAugust: 4.4 in of rainSeptember: 3.7 in of rainOctober: 3.0 in of rainNovember: 2.0 in of rainDecember: 1.3 in of rainJanuary: 31°FFebruary: 36°FMarch: 48°FApril: 61°FMay: 71°FJune: 80°FJuly: 84°FAugust: 83°FSeptember: 76°FOctober: 64°FNovember: 49°FDecember: 36°FJanuary: 11°FFebruary: 14°FMarch: 25°FApril: 35°FMay: 47°FJune: 57°FJuly: 62°FAugust: 59°FSeptember: 50°FOctober: 38°FNovember: 26°FDecember: 16°FJFMAMJJASOND
Average high Average low Rain
Monthly table
MonthHighLowRainSnow
Jan31°F11°F1.0 in7.9 in
Feb36°F14°F1.4 in6.5 in
Mar48°F25°F1.9 in3.5 in
Apr61°F35°F4.2 in0.8 in
May71°F47°F5.4 in0.0 in
Jun80°F57°F4.9 in0.0 in
Jul84°F62°F4.2 in0.0 in
Aug83°F59°F4.4 in0.0 in
Sep76°F50°F3.7 in0.0 in
Oct64°F38°F3.0 in0.3 in
Nov49°F26°F2.0 in2.0 in
Dec36°F16°F1.3 in3.1 in

U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Chariton 1 E (2 mi away), NOAA NCEI.

People and cost of living

$46,979median household income
$81,900median home value
$689median monthly rent
38.6median age
13.4%of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher
64.5%of homes are owner-occupied
15.7 minaverage commute
Age of residents
Under 1826%18 to 3421%35 to 6433%65 and over20%

American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.

Disaster history

Lucas County has had 11 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.

  • 2020-03-23: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
  • 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
  • 2019-03-23: Severe Storms And Flooding (Flood)
  • 2015-07-31: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
  • 2013-05-31: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding (Flood)
  • 2010-07-29: Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes (Severe Storm)

OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.

Getting there and nearby towns

Knoxville Municipal Airport (OXV) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 22 miles away.

  • Corydon 18 mi south, about 29 min by car
  • Albia 26 mi east, about 42 min by car
  • Indianola 27 mi northwest, about 44 min by car
  • Centerville 30 mi southeast, about 49 min by car
  • Pella 34 mi northeast, about 54 min by car
  • Carlisle 36 mi north, about 57 min by car
  • Norwalk 38 mi northwest, about 1 h by car
  • Oskaloosa 40 mi northeast, about 1 h by car
  • Des Moines 41 mi north, about 1 h by car
  • West Des Moines 44 mi northwest, about 1 h 15 min by car

Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.

Reviews, tips and questions

Loading what members have shared...

Sources and licences

Photo credits

Page built October 30, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.