Chariton, Iowa
11 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1918 and the latest in 1984. It stands in Chariton City. It lies in ZIP code area 50049. The Survey maps it on the Chariton quadrangle. 4,193 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 1,027 feet above sea level.
Research this city
On record in Chariton
Buildings and businesses the archive holds for this place. Each opens its own page, with the source record it came from.
On the National Register 12 of 15 shown
Caviness, Carl L., Post 102, American Legionlisted 2006
Chariton Cemetery Historic Districtlisted 2010
Chariton City Hall and Fire Stationlisted 2006
Chariton Free Public Librarylisted 2005
Chariton Herald-Patriot Buildinglisted 2006
Chariton Masonic Templelisted 2006
Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Freight House-Charitonlisted 2003
J.T. and Mollie Crozier Houselisted 2011
First United Methodist Churchlisted 2002
Hotel Charitonelisted 2006
Lucas County Courthouselisted 1981
Lucas County Courthouse Square Historic Districtlisted 2014
Population over time
2 figuresChariton fell from 4,321 to 4,193 between 2010 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.
| Year | People | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 4,321 | |
| 2020 | 4,193 | -128 (-3%) |
Topographic sheets covering this place
7 surveys from 11 printed sheetsMatched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.
- 1918 USGS Chariton quadrangle1:62500, 4 printings
- 1954 USGS Des Moines quadrangle1:250000, 2 printings
- 1956 USGS Des Moines quadrangle1:250000
- 1957 USGS Des Moines quadrangle1:250000
- 1969 USGS Des Moines quadrangle1:250000
- 1982 USGS Chariton quadrangle1:24000
- 1984 USGS Indianola quadrangle1:100000
Fires near this place
43 since 2006Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 43 fires within 5 miles of Chariton between 2006 and 2020, burning about 251 acres in total. None started naturally. None was recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Reported cause | Fires |
|---|---|
| Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 24 |
| Debris and open burning | 15 |
| Smoking | 2 |
| Recreation and ceremony | 1 |
| Railroad operations and maintenance | 1 |
The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.
| Date | Cause | Size | Reported by | Name on the report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 July 2016 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | under an acre | Iowa Department of Natural Resources | CHARITON VOL FD |
| 4 July 2019 | Smoking | under an acre | Iowa Department of Natural Resources | not named |
| 29 June 2006 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | under an acre | Iowa Department of Natural Resources | not named |
| 24 June 2016 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | under an acre | Iowa Department of Natural Resources | CHARITON VOL FD |
| 12 May 2013 | Debris and open burning | 10 acres | Iowa Department of Natural Resources | not named |
| 5 April 2011 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 4.0 acres | Iowa Department of Natural Resources | 52621 245TH TRAIL, IA |
| 3 April 2011 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 5.0 acres | Iowa Department of Natural Resources | 510TH LN, IA |
| 24 April 2018 | Debris and open burning | 2.0 acres | Iowa Department of Natural Resources | not named |
Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:
Mines and quarries near this place
2 within 5 milesRegional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 2 workings within 5 miles of Chariton: 2 past producers. None of them still produces. What was taken out: Stone, Crushed/Broken, Flagstone. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Where | Site | Commodity | Status | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little White Breast Creek Quarry | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown | Flagstone | Past Producer |
Storms near this place
60 of 103 shownRegional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Chariton in 103 storm reports between 1994 and 2024: 35 hail, 28 thunderstorm wind, 16 heavy rain, 11 flood. The reports record 2 injuries. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.
| When | Event | Place named | Harm | What the report says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 1994 | Hail | Chariton | 2 hurt, $50,000 | no account filed |
| July 2010 | Flash Flood | Chariton | $1,000,000 | Vehicle was stalled on Court Ave in Chariton. Water flowing on the road and coming into the vehicle. |
| July 2013 | Flash Flood | Chariton | $250,000 | The Lucas County dispatch reports flash flooding throughout much of Chariton. Multiple streets were closed and impassible due to running water of over a foot in depth. |
| July 2010 | Flash Flood | Chariton | $250,000 | York Street washed out and was closed near the 400 block. Widespread basement flooding. |
| July 2010 | Flash Flood | Chariton | $250,000 | Fourth Street was washed out and closed near the 400 block. Widespread basement flooding. |
| May 2013 | Flood | Chariton | $200,000 | Water over 450th St due to the Chariton River. |
| June 2010 | Flood | Chariton | $150,000 | Water ponding 3 feet deep in Chariton. |
| June 2015 | Flood | Chariton | $100,000 | The Chariton River at Chariton crested at 20.79 feet at 09:30 AM CST on 25 June. |
| July 2010 | Flash Flood | Chariton | $100,000 | Street manhole covers were blown off on Court Ave. Apartments were flooded on the 1700 block of Court Ave. |
| May 1998 | Flood | Chariton | $75,000 | no account filed |
| October 2018 | Flood | Chariton | $50,000 | The Chariton River at Chariton crested at 19.82 ft on 9 October 2018 at 01:15 UTC. |
| June 2015 | Thunderstorm Wind | Chariton | $50,000 | Trained spotter reported whole trees, 4 to 6 inch branches, and power poles down on the north side of Chariton by the medical center. |
| April 2012 | Hail | Chariton | $50,000 | Quarter size hail along with estimated 60 MPH wind gusts. |
| July 2010 | Flash Flood | Chariton | $50,000 | Water knee deep in the streets. |
| September 2008 | Flood | Chariton | $50,000 | no account filed |
| June 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Chariton | $50,000 | no account filed |
| June 1998 | Flood | Chariton | $50,000 | no account filed |
| June 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Chariton | $50,000 | no account filed |
| September 2016 | Thunderstorm Wind | Chariton | $40,000 | Law enforcement reported two instances of a large tree downed onto a house in Chariton. Time and location estimated from radar. |
| August 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Chariton | $25,000 | High winds downed a 12 foot diameter oak tree that was about 200 years old and damaged buildings. Winds were estimated around 70 MPH. |
| July 2008 | Flash Flood | Chariton | $25,000 | Lucas County Law Enforcement reports Court Ave is closed on the west side of Chariton due to 6 to 8 inches of water on the road. Cars attempting to drive through the water stalled. |
| April 2007 | Flood | Chariton | $25,000 | no account filed |
| May 2007 | Flood | Chariton | $25,000 | no account filed |
| March 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Chariton | $25,000 | no account filed |
| October 2001 | Hail | Chariton | $25,000 | no account filed |
| October 2001 | Hail | Chariton | $25,000 | no account filed |
| June 1999 | Hail | Chariton | $25,000 | no account filed |
| July 1997 | Flood | Chariton | $25,000 | no account filed |
| July 2016 | Thunderstorm Wind | Chariton | $20,000 | Law Enforcement reported an apartment complex damaged and trees down in Chariton. Time estimated by radar. |
| June 2015 | Thunderstorm Wind | Chariton | $20,000 | Public reported numerous trees down in town. |
| May 2011 | Lightning | Chariton | $15,000 | no account filed |
| June 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Chariton | $15,000 | no account filed |
| September 2016 | Thunderstorm Wind | Chariton | $10,000 | Law enforcement reported a roof off of a shed and an attached garage damaged on the southern edge of Chariton. Time and location estimated from radar. |
| August 2015 | Thunderstorm Wind | Chariton | $10,000 | Public reported multiple large tree branches down in town. |
| June 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Chariton | $10,000 | Electric pole partially blown over on Highway 14. Wires were sparking. |
| July 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | Chariton | $10,000 | A tree 12 inches in diameter was blown over by strong winds. |
| April 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Chariton | $7,000 | no account filed |
| June 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Chariton | $5,000 | no account filed |
| June 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Chariton | $5,000 | no account filed |
| February 2007 | Flood | Chariton | $5,000 | no account filed |
| June 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Chariton | $5,000 | no account filed |
| August 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | Chariton | $5,000 | no account filed |
| October 2001 | Hail | Chariton | $5,000 | no account filed |
| October 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Chariton | $5,000 | no account filed |
| June 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Chariton | $5,000 | no account filed |
| August 2000 | Hail | Chariton | $5,000 | no account filed |
| June 1999 | Hail | Chariton | $5,000 | no account filed |
| June 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | Chariton | $5,000 | no account filed |
| June 2008 | Hail | Chariton | $3,000 | A trained spotter on the west edge of Chariton reported pea to quarter size hail. |
| June 2008 | Hail | Chariton | $3,000 | no account filed |
| June 2008 | Hail | Chariton | $3,000 | no account filed |
| June 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Chariton | $3,000 | no account filed |
| August 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Chariton | $3,000 | no account filed |
| September 1996 | Lightning | Chariton | $3,000 | no account filed |
| July 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Chariton | $2,000 | Small limbs were blown down. Three inches of rain fell in one hour. |
| June 2009 | Hail | Chariton | $2,000 | no account filed |
| May 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Chariton | $2,000 | no account filed |
| June 2008 | Hail | Chariton | $1,000 | A trained spotter on the west side of Chariton reported dime to nickel size hail. |
| April 2014 | Hail | Chariton | $1,000 | no account filed |
| June 2011 | Hail | Chariton | $1,000 | no account filed |
Nearest settlements
The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.
| Map | Place | Distance | Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianola Junction | 3.2 miles | 11 | |
| Whitebreast | 3.5 miles | 11 | |
| Williamson | 5.8 miles | 11 | |
| Russell | 6.1 miles | 11 | |
| Troy (historical) | 6.5 miles | 11 | |
| Oakley | 6.8 miles | 11 | |
| Lucas | 8.2 miles | 11 | |
| Olmitz | 8.6 miles | 10 |
Elsewhere
Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.
| Wikipedia article on Chariton | An encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied. |
| Wikidata item Q988728 | The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0). |
Provenance
This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 455350. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.






