County · Missouri
Atchison County, Missouri
Atchison County, Missouri. Atchison County had 5,175 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.5% since 2020, while Missouri grew 1.9%. It holds 7 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 29005.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,175
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,305 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,187
Median household income
$58,750
±$8,393 (90% margin)
Missouri: $70,702
Median home value
$106,800
±$5,805 (90% margin)
Missouri: $230,300
Median gross rent
$631
±$54 (90% margin)
Missouri: $1,033
How many people live in Atchison County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 5,305 residents in Atchison County. The Census Bureau estimates 5,175 for July 1, 2025, down 2.5% since 2020, while Missouri grew 1.9%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 5,187 over 547 square miles of land.
| Measure | Atchison County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,187 | 6,191,814 | −42 |
| Households | 2,287±87 | 2,508,227 | −275 |
| Average household size | 2.23±0.08 | 2.40 | +0.23 |
| Housing units | 2,726±23 | 2,825,287 | −230 |
Atchison County's population since 2000
From 6,430 in 2000 to 5,175 in 2025: down 19.5%. 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 7 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Tarkio with 1,478 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Tarkio | 1,506 | $56,927 |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Port | 1,278 | $45,815 |
| Fairfax | 648 | $56,250 |
| WestboroGEOID 2978622 | 116 | $28,125 |
| WatsonGEOID 2977848 | 61 | not published |
| BlanchardGEOID 2906247 | 27 | not published |
| Phelps CityGEOID 2957332 | 0 | not published |
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 46.7 years old; 20.9% are under 18 and 25.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.6%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.9%. 0.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Atchison County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.7±1.3 | 39.0 | −1.8 |
| Under 18 years | 20.9%±0.5 pts | 22.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 25.2%±0.3 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.1% | 5.2% | +0.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.6%±1.7 pts | 76.3% | −4.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 10.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 2.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.9%±1.7 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.8%±0.5 pts | 4.5% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.5%±1.0 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.8%±1.1 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 17.9%±2.1 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 11.2%±2.0 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.5%±1.7 pts | 91.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 22.2%±3.0 pts | 32.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.7%±1.7 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.5%±1.3 pts | 2.5% | – |
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 2,287 households earn less than $58,750 a year (±$8,393), against $70,702 in Missouri. In 2015-2019 it was $61,825 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Atchison County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $58,750±$8,393 | $70,702 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $77,295±$6,349 | $96,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,574±$2,621 | $39,695 | −$3,883 |
| People below the poverty line | 11.6%±2.7 pts | 12.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.6%±8.8 pts | 15.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 5.8%±1.6 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.5%±2.7 pts | 89.3% | – |
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 76.8% of Atchison County's occupied homes and renters 23.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $106,800 by its owner (±$5,805). The median renter pays $631 a month including utilities, and 20.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Atchison County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $106,800±$5,805 | $230,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $631±$54 | $1,033 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 20.1%±5.1 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,111±$66 | $1,524 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.8%±3.4 pts | 68.1% | +7.1 pts |
| Housing units | 2,726±23 | 2,825,287 | −230 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.7 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.0%±5.4 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 86.8%±2.4 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.4%±1.4 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6%±0.7 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 33.5%±3.8 pts | 13.3% | – |
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 0 new housing units across Atchison County in 2025 (0 single-family), 0.0 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?
81.9% of Atchison County's workers drive alone and 6.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.3%.
| Measure | Atchison County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.0%±2.7 pts | 63.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.3%±1.2 pts | 4.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 81.9%±3.5 pts | 74.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.5%±2.4 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.5%±1.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Walked | 1.0%±0.6 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.1%±2.3 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.3 min±1.4 | 23.5 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 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $56,803 (Tract 9501) to $66,164 (Tract 9502).
| Tract 950129005950100 | 2,888±161 | $56,803 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950229005950200 | 2,299±161 | $66,164 |
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 Missouri's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 108th of 115 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 102nd of 115 |
| Residents per square mile | 107th of 115 |
| Median household income | 63rd of 115 |
| Median home value | 109th of 115 |
| Median gross rent | 101st of 115 |
| Poverty rate | 88th of 115 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37th of 115 |
| Median age | 11th of 115 |
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.