Charter Oak was first mentioned in newspapers August 13, 1869. The town Post Office was established May 4, 1876. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway was completed in February 1887, bringing the train through town twice daily as it hauled postage and freight from Manilla to Sioux City. Articles of Incorporation were filed for the town of Charter Oak February 14, 1891.
Charter Oak was a busy community with many businesses to employ community members. The first school was built in 1889, as the community grew the school became too small. The current school building was built in 1916. In 1929 the first street was paved.
In 1980 the freight service on the Chicago, Milwaukee, & St. Paul Railroad ended, the rail line was removed, and the station was sold.
The population of Charter Oak, Iowa from US census data
2020 census
As of the census of 2020,[6] there were 535 people, 234 households, and 126 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,042.1 inhabitants per square mile (402.4/km2). There were 252 housing units at an average density of 490.9 per square mile (189.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.7% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.0% Native American, 0.0% Asian, 0.4% Pacific Islander, 4.3% from other races and 4.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino persons of any race comprised 7.7% of the population.
Of the 234 households, 29.5% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.9% were married couples living together, 9.8% were cohabitating couples, 23.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 28.2% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 46.2% of all households were non-families. 36.8% of all households were made up of individuals, 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.
The median age in the city was 36.2 years. 28.8% of the residents were under the age of 20; 6.2% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 24.7% were from 25 and 44; 23.4% were from 45 and 64; and 17.0% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.8% male and 49.2% female.
2010 census
As of the census[7] of 2010, there were 502 people, 229 households, and 125 families living in the city. The population density was 1,045.8 inhabitants per square mile (403.8/km2). There were 268 housing units at an average density of 558.3 per square mile (215.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.6% White, 0.6% African American, 1.4% Asian, 1.0% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.2% of the population.
There were 229 households, of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.4% were non-families. 41.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.94.
The median age in the city was 42.5 years. 25.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.8% were from 25 to 44; 30.8% were from 45 to 64; and 17.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.4% male and 52.6% female.
2000 census
As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 530 people, 245 households, and 149 families living in the city. The population density was 1,084.4 inhabitants per square mile (418.7/km2). There were 275 housing units at an average density of 562.6 per square mile (217.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 99.62% White and 0.38% Asian. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.19% of the population.
There were 245 households, out of which 24.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% were married couples living together, 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were non-families. 37.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.0% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 24.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,482, and the median income for a family was $40,781. Males had a median income of $26,838 versus $19,712 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,583. About 3.1% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 14.4% of those age 65 or over.
