Chariton County was settled primarily from the states of the Upper South, especially Kentucky and Tennessee.

They brought slaves and slaveholding traditions with them, and they quickly started cultivating crops similar to those in Middle Tennessee and Kentucky: hemp and tobacco.

Chariton was one of several counties settled mostly by southerners to the north and south of the Missouri River.

Given their culture and traditions, this area became known as Little Dixie and Chariton County was at its heart.

29.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes, a total of 786, than any candidate from either party in Chariton County during the 2008 presidential primary.