Rathbun is a city in Appanoose County, Iowa, United States. The population was 43 at the time of the 2020 census. History Incorporated in 1897, Rathbun was established in 1892 as a mining town. It was named for Charles H. Rathbun, a mine official. 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). The Star Coal Company of Streator, Ill. operated the Rathbun Mine, with an shaft. This mine was in operation in 1895, and by 1908 it was considered one of the best equipped longwall mines in the county. The Darby mine, operated by the Unity Block Coal Company, was about a mile northeast of Rathbun. This had a shaft and was nearly played out by 1908. The Evans Mine, about halfway between the Rathbun and Darbyville, formerly operated by the American Coal Company, had already been closed by 1908. In 1912, United Mine Workers Local 372 in Rathbun had 213 members. This was close to half the total population at the time. Geography Rathbun is located at (40.801375, −92.888296) about a mile west of the confluence of Walnut Creek and the Chariton River, about 2 miles south of Rathbun Dam. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land. Climate According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Rathbun has a hot-summer humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfa" on climate maps. Demographics 2010 census As of the census of 2010, there were 89 people, 42 households, and 27 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 51 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 98.9% White and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.1% of the population. There were 42 households, of which 19.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.9% were married couples living together, 2.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.7% were non-families. 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. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.67. The median age in the city was 47.5 years. 18% of