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Chariton, IA
Full City Profile · Iowa · Lucas County County
2.8
/5.0
C+
Fair
4,235
Population
1,123/sq mi density
$52,109
Median Income
$27,795 per capita
$84,200
Home Value
$157,223 Zillow
$716
Median Rent
26.2% income on rent
48°F
Avg Temperature
275 sunny days/yr
236
Violent Crime/100K
2,973 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$52,109 median income, 3.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$84,200 home value, $716/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
236 violent crimes/100K
C
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Chariton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 275 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 37.3 inches. The area receives 24.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 48.3°F |
| 11% below US avg | |
| January Average | 21°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,040 ft (317 m) |
| Area | 3.8 sq mi (9.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,123/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.0174°N, 93.3096°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Lucas County County |
| Nearest Airport | Des Moines International (DSM) 39 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 29.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 69.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 81.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°F (-6°C) | 1.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.6 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 2.9 in | |
| April | 51°F (10°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 71°F (21°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 4.5 in | |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 4.2 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 2.9 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 2.6 in | |
| December | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.9 in |
Chariton has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 21°F in January to 73°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 38.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.5") and January the driest (1.5").