$162,881Average Value$117Average Price per Sq Ft35Homes For Sale
Chariton brings convenience to an agricultural area
Chariton is a small city and the seat of Lucas County, surrounded by open plains and farmland. “It’s a very peaceful lifestyle without the hustle and bustle of a metropolitan area,” says Betty Hansen, a broker with Chariton Iowa Realty who has sold locally for over 30 years. “It’s rolling hills and easy living — it’s my adopted home.” Despite its rural feel, the town has a hospital, big-box stores and a shopping square. With these urban amenities and numerous parks, Chariton functions as a self-sufficient city in the middle of the country.
The mural and bell honor veterans at Lucas County Veterans Memorial Park.
Lucas County Courthouse anchors Chariton’s historic town square.
1/2
Properties range from suburban lots to country farms
The housing market mainly consists of single-family options. “We’re an older town, so we have the big, old summer Victorians, Foursquares and ranch-style homes with three bedrooms and attached garages,” Hansen says. The median sales price falls around $140,000, slightly lower than in Des Moines, where the median is $215,000. Near the town center, lots are densely packed onto suburban streets, lined with sidewalks and modest front lawns. Many houses in the area are within walking distance of a community park. On the outskirts, lots are more spread out, and buyers will find farms with sprawling yards off quiet country roads. A handful of waterfront homes rest along West Lake and feature private docks.
Ranch-style homes are common across Chariton neighborhoods.
Ranch-style home with spacious yard on Chariton’s rural outskirts.
1/2
Recreation on the water and at state and pocket parks
Chariton has a variety of parks and nature activities. Northwest Park is one of the largest outdoor spaces in town, and it has a disc golf course and athletic fields. Yocom Park has basketball courts and a playground, and the Chariton Dog Park provides an enclosed space for pets to play. The Vredenburg-Chariton Family Aquatic Center, which features an outdoor pool with waterslides and a kids' play area, will open again in the summer of 2026 after a year off in 2025 due to maintenance issues. Just east of town, Lake Morris and Lake Ellis, formerly the water sources for the area, are now used for boating and fishing. The Red Haw State Park nearby has a lake for swimming, boating and fishing, as well as miles of trails and a campground. “It’s absolutely beautiful when all the red haw trees bloom,” Hansen says. “It’s a wonderful place to get away and relax.”
Fishing is a frequent activity at Red Haw Lake.
Baseball fields at Northwest Park host youth games in Chariton.
1/2
The Chariton Community School District serves the city
Kindergarteners through second graders attend Columbus Elementary, which earns a C rating from Niche, before heading to C-rated Van Allen Elementary for third through fifth grades. Chariton Middle and Chariton High have C-plus ratings and offer various athletic programs, including football, tennis and baseball. “Sports are big here,” Hansen says. “There seem to be almost too many activities for the kids to choose from.”
Van Allen Elementary serves grades 3–5 in Chariton.
Chariton High School offers sports and academics for local teens.
Columbus Elementary serves Chariton students in kindergarten through grade 2.
Chariton Middle School serves grades 6–8 in the local district.
1/4
A town square and big-box stores
Though a small city, Chariton has a downtown area full of stores and restaurants. “We’ve got the traditional courthouse in the center and the four-square of businesses around it,” Hansen says. Options on this square include Piper’s, a candy store and market that’s been open for over 120 years, and a dental office in a building from 1869. On weekdays, Kell’s Kitchen serves comfort food between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Casa de Oro Restaurant prepares authentic Mexican dishes. Iron Horse is another popular bar and grill inside the Hotel Charitone. Shoppers can head west on Court Street to the Bomgaars department store and Hy-Vee, which offers grocery delivery services.
Local shops offer dining and services near Chariton’s town square.
Interior of Piper’s, a Chariton market open for over 120 years.
1/2
Annual parades, fairs and festivals
Chariton residents come together for many celebrations throughout the year. “We have many of those events, like Fourth of July parades and farmers markets, that smaller communities take a lot of pride in,” Hansen says. The Lucas County Fair occurs in town each summer, and Homecoming weekend at the high school attracts fans and alums for a football game, class reunions and a parade. On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, people gather for the Dazzle Fest downtown. “It’s a lighted parade, where all the vehicles are lit up, sometimes including tractors and semis,” Hansen says. “Stores will open with treats; one will have popcorn, another will have cocoa, and the banks have had hot dogs in the past.”
Getting around by car or requesting a bus service
Iowa Highway 14 and U.S. Route 34 are the main thoroughfares through Chariton. The city is 55 miles southeast of Des Moines, home to the nearest commercial airport. Residents can call the 10-15 Transit vans for by-request rides. Transportation to the Lucas County Health Center, under 2 miles from downtown, is also available, helping those with limited mobility reach their medical appointments.
Written By
Grace Pitney
Photography Contributed By
Becky Gaskill
Video By
Mallory Nolte
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Leigh Ann Coffey,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Chariton, IA sell after 82 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Chariton, IA over the last 12 months is $146,000, up 31% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
WELCOME HOME!!! Discover this charming log cabin home featuring two bedrooms and one-and-a-half bathrooms, perfect for those seeking a peaceful countryside retreat. The walkout basement includes a nonconforming 3RD bedroom and half bath, plus a relaxing hot tub for year-round enjoyment. Outside, you'll find productive fruit trees including apple, peach, pear, and cherry varieties, along with
New, New, New, yes new A/C, furnace, water heater, flooring and carpet and fresh paint inside and outside, with double wall insuation becomes not only comfortable but more economic too, thanks to the IFES (stucco) finish. 2 and half car garage has workshop area too. Very nice future for new owners. Call today.
Turn of the century craftsman style brought in to 2025 very professionally. Hardwood floors were sanded, stained, and finished with complementary area rugs in living room and dining room. Rooms are split with beautiful colonnades. Dinning room has a large built in hutch. Kitchen has lots of cabinets, island with new electric stove, refrigerator, freezer, washer and dryer all stay. Owner will
Located in northeast Lucas County, Iowa, this 19 +/- acre farm offers a great mix of income and recreational opportunities. With 19.55 acres enrolled in CRP, the property brings in $2,385 in annual income through September 2030offering a return on your investment.This property's rural location offers many benefits yet is conveniently located only 5 miles East of Highway 14. Recreational
Ryan AmmonsUnited Country Hawkeye Farm Mgmt & Real Estate - Albia
Spacious and beautiful apartments at 1833 Curtis Ave, Chariton, IA. Come to your new home at 1833 Curtis Ave – where comfort, convenience, and community come together. Our beautifully maintained apartment building offers spacious 1, 2, and 3-bedroom units perfect for individuals, couples, and families. If a shorter lease term is needed please contact the property managerEach unit
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
