Chariton, Iowa

About Chariton

Set in the southern part of Iowa, Chariton is a small town with an estimated population of 4,278.

Officially, Chariton is an incorporated city with its own municipal government. The community covers 3.77 square miles, giving it a balanced suburban layout with room to breathe at roughly 1,135 residents per square mile.

📰 Chariton News Today

• Road Closure on U.S. 34 west of Iowa 5 in Albia Begins April 27 Iowa Department of Transportation (.gov) · Apr 17
• Chariton Air Quality Index (AQI) and USA Air Pollution IQAir · Jul 1
• Scott Peterson Obituary (2026) - Chariton, IA - Pierschbacher Funeral Homes - Chariton Legacy obituary · Jun 16
• Norma Rush Obituary | Pierschbacher Funeral Homes | Chariton, IA Tribute Archive · Aug 7
• Carolyn McCann's Obituary, Visitation & Funeral Information Thomas Funeral Homes · Apr 5

Live headlines via Google News — updates through the day.

What Makes Chariton Unique

• The only place in America named Chariton — a truly one-of-a-kind name among 32,000+ US communities.
• Positioned in southern Iowa, convenient to the region's corridors and crossings.
• Part of the fabric of Iowa — one of 1,026 recognized communities statewide.

Why People Love It Here

• A tight community feel that bigger cities can't replicate.
• Housing dollars stretch further here than in the nearest metro.
• Well connected: 3+ neighboring communities within 8 miles.

🍽️ Where to Eat in Chariton

• Breadaux Pizza — pizza
• European Delight (café)
• Grumpy's

Local spots mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.

🎡 Fun Things to Do

• Lucas County Museum · Museum

Attractions mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.

🏞️ Parks & Outdoors in Chariton

• Red Haw State Park reviews ★
• Barber Woods · Nature reserve reviews ★
• Brook Park reviews ★
• Chariton River Greenbelt · Nature reserve reviews ★
• Cinder Marsh · Nature reserve reviews ★
• Constitution Park reviews ★
• East Lakes · Nature reserve reviews ★
• Eikenberry Park reviews ★
• Franklin Park reviews ★
• Highway 34 Wetlands · Nature reserve reviews ★
• Johnson's Machine Works Park reviews ★
• Kuiper Wetlands · Nature reserve reviews ★

Parks mapped by the OpenStreetMap community · "reviews" opens each park's live Google reviews.

🏫 Schools in Chariton

• Chariton High School
• Chariton Middle School
• Columbus Elementary School
• Van Allen Elementary School

Public schools, U.S. Dept. of Education (NCES) 2023–24 directory.

🏥 Hospitals & Healthcare

• Lucas County Health Center · 24/7 ER · Critical Access Hospitals

Medicare-registered hospitals with official CMS star ratings.

⚡ Quick Facts

🗺️ Map of Chariton

🏘️ Nearby Communities