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CITY · 2020 ACS

Chariton

Iowa · 4,193 residents · 3.768 sq mi
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The short version

Chariton has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $48,316. Population has declined 8% since 2000. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $81,000. The poverty rate of 23.4% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 41.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,193
−8%since 2000
from 4,573 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,113 / sq mi
−8%since 2000
from 1,214 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
41.0
+3%since 2000
from 39.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K4K5K5K1990201020202024Chariton
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$48,316
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,844 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,991
+67%since 2000
from $15,553 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
28.7%
+15.9 ptssince 2009
from 12.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
23.4%
+10.7 ptssince 2000
from 12.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information28.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade8.6%
US avg: 10%
Transportation & warehousing7.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical6%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade4.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services3.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction3.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Public administration3.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$81,000
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $50,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$657
+37%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $319 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
67.2%
−4.5 ptssince 2000
from 71.6% in 2000
32.8% rent
Afford Score
1.7
−8%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Chariton on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.4%(4,499)
Black0.2%(7)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(40)
Asian0.2%(7)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.9%(134)
2020
White, non-Hispanic92.3%(3,871)
Black0.3%(14)
Hispanic / Latino3.7%(155)
Asian0.5%(23)
Other0.4%(18)
Diversity Score12.4%(518)
Diversity Score
12
+321%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.2%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 12.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
91.9%
+13.7 ptssince 2000
from 78.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
3.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 3.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.9 min
−16%since 2000
from 18.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
87.7%
+6.7 ptssince 2009
from 81.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
14.9%
+5.6 ptssince 2009
from 9.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.3%
−11.0 ptssince 2011
from 14.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
62.7%
+6.2 ptssince 2011
from 56.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
22.0%
−37.6 ptssince 2009
from 59.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.2%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Female
50.8%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Foreign born
4.2%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.7%
−80.1 ptssince 2013
from 87.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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CHARITON VS
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CHARITON VS
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CHARITON VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Chariton, Iowa?

Chariton, Iowa has about 4,193 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Chariton, Iowa?

The typical household in Chariton, Iowa earns about $48,316 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Chariton, Iowa expensive?

In Chariton, Iowa, the median home is worth about $81,000, and the typical rent is about $657 a month.

How educated are people in Chariton, Iowa?

About 14.2% of adults age 25 and over in Chariton, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Chariton, Iowa?

About 23.4% of people in Chariton, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Chariton, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Chariton, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 423 residents, a change of about -9 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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