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.
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.
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.”
The Chariton Community School District serves the city
Kindergarteners through second graders attend Columbus Elementary, which earns a C-plus 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.”
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 10 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.
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.
