Chariton city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Chariton city is a small community located in Iowa, within Lucas County. The total population is 4,235. It ranks as the 99th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.

Age Demographics

The median age in Chariton city is 40.5 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 11.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Chariton city is $52,109. This is 29% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 34% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.3%. This is 94% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 66% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $84,200. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Chariton city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 71.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

Chariton city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.1%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 7.0%.

Education

12.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 59% lower than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.0%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Chariton city, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,018 Census-designated places in Iowa. For official data, visit data.census.gov.