Rathbun is a city in Appanoose County, Iowa, United States.

[6] At the end of the 19th century, "the valley of Walnut Creek was one continuous mining camp, known under different names, Jerome, Diamond, Mystic, Clarksdale, Rathbun and Darby" (later known as Darbyville).

[7] The Star Coal Company of Streator, Ill. operated the Rathbun Mine, with an 82-foot-deep (25 m) shaft.

The Darby mine, operated by the Unity Block Coal Company, was about a mile northeast of Rathbun.

The Evans Mine, about halfway between the Rathbun and Darbyville, formerly operated by the American Coal Company, had already been closed by 1908.

[8] In 1912, United Mine Workers Local 372 in Rathbun had 213 members.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.22 square miles (0.57 km2), all land.

33.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

30.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 18.5% of families and 17.0% of the population living below the poverty line, including 28.0% of under eighteens and 10.0% of those over 64.