Total population (1990 census): 9070
County seat: Chariton
Crop Statistics (1997 US Census of Agriculture)
| Cereals | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Maize=Corn | 278 | 23535 | 2903555 bu | |
| Wheat for Grain, Total | 4 | 311 | 8480 bu | |
| Oats | 70 | 1599 | 97986 bu | |
| Grain Legumes | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Soybean | 242 | 24159 | 1052973 bu | |
| Forages | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Total Hay* | 444 | 29048 | 73960 tons, dry | |
| Alfalfa Hay | 327 | 17142 | 50093 tons, dry | |
| Small Grain Hay | 32 | 1791 | 3883 tons, dry | |
| Tame Hay | 170 | 9120 | 18621 tons, dry | |
| Wild Hay | 16 | 429 | 614 tons dry | |
| Grass Silage | 13 | 566 | 2248 tons, grn | |
| Corn for Silage | 32 | 693 | 10929 tons, grn | |
| Vegetables | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Sweet Corn | 3 | 4 | ||
| Nursery and Greenhouse Crops, Cut Christmas Trees Harvested, Mushrooms, and Sod Grown for Sale | Farms | Sq. ft. under glass or other protection | Acres in the open | Sales ($1,000) |
| Nursery and Greenhouse Crops | 4 | D | D | D |
| Cut Christmas Trees Harvested | 3 | X | D | 20 |
*Alfalfa, grass silage, green chops etc.
D=Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual farms.
X=Not applicable.