County · Kansas
Atchison County, Kansas
Atchison County, Kansas. Atchison County had 16,172 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.1% since 2020, while Kansas grew 1.3%. It holds 13 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 8 towns and townships) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 20005.
Atchison County is the county of the Atchison, KS micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
16,172
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 16,348 · ACS 2020-2024: 16,208
Median household income
$61,112
±$7,953 (90% margin)
Kansas: $74,275
Median home value
$145,700
±$14,278 (90% margin)
Kansas: $217,200
Median gross rent
$765
±$131 (90% margin)
Kansas: $1,060
How many people live in Atchison County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 16,348 residents in Atchison County. The Census Bureau estimates 16,172 for July 1, 2025, down 1.1% since 2020, while Kansas grew 1.3%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 16,208 over 431 square miles of land.
| Measure | Atchison County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 16,208 | 2,947,197 | −60 |
| Households | 5,735±259 | 1,174,060 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.52±0.11 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,817±24 | 1,293,635 | −144 |
Atchison County's population since 2000
From 16,774 in 2000 to 16,172 in 2025: down 3.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Atchison County?
Atchison County holds 13 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 8 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Atchison with 10,789 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Atchison | 10,885 | $54,474 |
|---|---|---|
| Shannon Township, Atchison CountyGEOID 2000564275 | 1,106 | $98,015 |
| Benton Township, Atchison County | 963 | $52,122 |
| Mount Pleasant Township, Atchison CountyGEOID 2000548925 | 834 | $113,310 |
| Lancaster Township | 762 | $63,456 |
| Center Township, Atchison CountyGEOID 2000511550 | 651 | $54,338 |
| Grasshopper TownshipGEOID 2000528225 | 501 | $69,375 |
| Effingham | 495 | $62,500 |
| Walnut Township, Atchison CountyGEOID 2000574800 | 396 | $111,094 |
| Kapioma TownshipGEOID 2000536100 | 250 | not published |
| Lancaster | 246 | $39,107 |
| MuscotahGEOID 2049325 | 155 | $58,750 |
| HuronGEOID 2033575 | 74 | $55,417 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Atchison County?
The median resident of Atchison County is 36.1 years old; 21.8% are under 18 and 18.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 86.7%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 5.4%. 2.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Atchison County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.1±0.9 | 37.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.8%±0.1 pts | 23.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.1%±0.5 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.8% | 13.6% | +0.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 86.7%±0.6 pts | 72.7% | −1.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.5%±0.9 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 2.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.4%±1.0 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.1%±0.7 pts | 7.4% | +1.2 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.0%±1.0 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.4%±1.4 pts | 6.8% | – |
| With a disability | 15.5%±1.8 pts | 13.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.8%±2.2 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.5%±1.3 pts | 92.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.8%±3.6 pts | 35.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.4%±2.2 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.4%±1.8 pts | 3.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Atchison County earn?
Half of Atchison County's 5,735 households earn less than $61,112 a year (±$7,953), against $74,275 in Kansas. In 2015-2019 it was $62,075 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Atchison County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $61,112±$7,953 | $74,275 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $78,946±$5,888 | $100,417 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,244±$2,108 | $40,978 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 13.0%±3.5 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 12.6%±5.4 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.9%±3.4 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.6%±2.8 pts | 90.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Atchison County?
Owners occupy 71.9% of Atchison County's occupied homes and renters 28.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $145,700 by its owner (±$14,278). The median renter pays $765 a month including utilities, and 30.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Atchison County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $145,700±$14,278 | $217,200 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $765±$131 | $1,060 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 30.0%±9.9 pts | 34.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,374±$101 | $1,689 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 71.9%±4.0 pts | 67.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,817±24 | 1,293,635 | −144 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.3%±2.6 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.3%±2.0 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 80.5%±3.5 pts | 71.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.9%±2.1 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 30.7%±3.4 pts | 15.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Atchison County building?
Builders took permits for 19 new housing units across Atchison County in 2025 (19 single-family), 1.2 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Atchison County get to work?
74.0% of Atchison County's workers drive alone and 7.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.6%.
| Measure | Atchison County | Kansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.6%±2.4 pts | 66.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.6%±2.0 pts | 3.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 74.0%±3.8 pts | 75.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.7%±2.4 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 8.3%±2.1 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.5%±1.9 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.2 min±1.8 | 19.7 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Atchison County's census tracts?
Atchison County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $41,599 (Tract 819) to $73,739 (Tract 817.01).
| Tract 81620005081600 | 4,375±299 | $72,143 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 817.0120005081701 | 3,377±398 | $73,739 |
| Tract 817.0220005081702 | 2,646±322 | $55,417 |
| Tract 81820005081800 | 2,843±472 | $53,967 |
| Tract 81920005081900 | 2,967±464 | $41,599 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Atchison County compare with Kansas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 31st of 105 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 44th of 105 |
| Residents per square mile | 18th of 105 |
| Median household income | 69th of 105 |
| Median home value | 39th of 105 |
| Median gross rent | 57th of 104 |
| Poverty rate | 32nd of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 72nd of 105 |
| Median age | 91st of 105 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Atchison County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.