Atchison County, Missouri
Atchison County is the northwesternmost county in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 5,305.[1] Its county seat is Rock Port.[2] It was originally known as Allen County when it was detached from Holt County in 1843.[3] The county was officially organized on February 14, 1845, and named for U.S. Senator David Rice Atchison from Missouri.[4]
Geography
[edit | edit source]According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 550 square miles (1,400 km2), of which 547 square miles (1,420 km2) is land and 2.8 square miles (7.3 km2) (0.5%) is water.[5]
Atchison's western boundary for the most part is the Missouri River and Nebraska. An 1867 flood straightened a bend in the river north of Watson. Both Nebraska and Missouri claimed the 5,000 acre McKissick Island that extends almost two miles into Atchison County. The Supreme Court in 1904 decided that the land belongs to Nebraska. The only way Nebraskans can reach it by road is to cross the Missouri River and then travel through Missouri.[6]
The State Line Slough (Missouri) stream is in Atchison County.
Adjacent counties
[edit | edit source]- Fremont County, Iowa (north)
- Page County, Iowa (northeast)
- Nodaway County (east)
- Holt County (south)
- Richardson County, Nebraska (southwest)
- Nemaha County, Nebraska (west)
- Otoe County, Nebraska (northwest)
Major highways
[edit | edit source]Source:[7]
- File:I-29 (MO).svg Interstate 29
- File:US 59.svg U.S. Route 59
- File:US 136.svg U.S. Route 136
- File:US 275.svg U.S. Route 275
- File:MO-46.svg Route 46
- File:MO-111.svg Route 111
.svg){kind=link}
Transit
[edit | edit source]Demographics
[edit | edit source]2020 census
[edit | edit source]| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[8] | Pop 1990[9] | Pop 2000[10] | Pop 2010[11] | Pop 2020[12] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 8,486 | 7,238 | 6,211 | 5,556 | 4,983 | 98.62% | 97.06% | 96.59% | 97.73% | 93.93% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 44 | 82 | 132 | 17 | 22 | 0.51% | 1.10% | 2.05% | 0.30% | 0.41% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 2 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 25 | 0.02% | 0.19% | 0.19% | 0.16% | 0.47% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 6 | 14 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 0.07% | 0.19% | 0.14% | 0.16% | 0.13% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | x [13] | x [14] | 0 | 3 | 0 | x | x | 0.00% | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 11 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 0.13% | 0.07% | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.26% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x [15] | x [16] | 20 | 36 | 181 | x | x | 0.31% | 0.63% | 3.41% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 56 | 104 | 43 | 55 | 73 | 0.65% | 1.39% | 0.67% | 0.97% | 1.38% |
| Total | 8,605 | 7,457 | 6,430 | 5,685 | 5,305 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 5,305. The median age was 46.1 years. 21.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 25.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.0 males age 18 and over. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[17][18]
The racial makeup of the county was 94.4% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.6% from some other race, and 4.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.4% of the population.[19]
There were 2,335 households in the county, of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 23.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[18]
There were 2,731 housing units, of which 14.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 71.2% were owner-occupied and 28.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.9%.[18]
2000 census
[edit | edit source]As of the census[20] of 2000, there were 6,430 people, 2,722 households, and 1,777 families residing in the county. The population density was 12 people per square mile (4.6 people/km2). There were 3,103 housing units at an average density of 6 units per square mile (2.3 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.00% White, 2.05% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.31% from other races, and 0.31% from two or more races. Approximately 0.67% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,722 households, out of which 26.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.80% were married couples living together, 6.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.70% were non-families. 31.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.82.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.10% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 24.20% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 21.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 99.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,959, and the median income for a family was $38,279. Males had a median income of $27,468 versus $18,855 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,956. About 9.30% of families and 11.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.70% of those under age 18 and 12.40% of those age 65 or over.
Religion
[edit | edit source]According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2010), Atchison County is sometimes regarded as being on the northern edge of the Bible Belt, although mainline Protestantism is the most predominant religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Atchison County who adhere to a religion are United Methodists (29.93%), Lutherans (LCMC) (22.16%), and Southern Baptists (14.33%).
Energy
[edit | edit source]The county derives most of its energy from wind power, with the amount produced exceeding its needs.[21] Several turbines installed by Wind Capital Group, with investment from the John Deere Company, generated an estimated 16 million kilowatt hours of energy a year in 2008.[22] As of 2025, there are 342 wind turbines in the county.[21]
Education
[edit | edit source]Public schools
[edit | edit source]School districts include:[23]
- Fairfax R-III School District – Fairfax
- Fairfax Elementary School (PK-06)
- Fairfax High School (07–12)
- Rock Port R-II School District – Rock Port
- Rock Port Elementary School (K-05)
- Rock Port High School (06–12)
- Tarkio R-I School District – Tarkio
- Tarkio Elementary School (PK-05)
- Tarkio Middle School (06–08)
- Tarkio High School (09–12)
Private schools
[edit | edit source]- Tarkio Academy – Tarkio (07–12) – Nonsectarian (All Boys) - closed
- Tarkio Technology Institute - Tarkio – vocational school on the defunct Tarkio College campus, Official website
Public libraries
[edit | edit source]Communities
[edit | edit source]
Cities
[edit | edit source]Village
[edit | edit source]Census-designated place
[edit | edit source]Unincorporated communities
[edit | edit source]Townships
[edit | edit source]Atchison County is divided into 11 townships:
Population ranking
[edit | edit source]The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Atchison County.[24]
† county seat
| Rank | Name | Municipal Type | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tarkio | 4th Class City | 1,506 |
| 2 | Rock Port † | 4th Class City | 1,278 |
| 3 | Fairfax | 4th Class City | 648 |
| 4 | Westboro | 4th Class City | 116 |
| 5 | Watson | Village | 61 |
| 6 | Blanchard | CDP | 27 |
Notable people
[edit | edit source]- Michael J. Burg - Actor
- Zel Fischer - Missouri Supreme Court Justice
- Sam Graves - U.S. Representative for Missouri's 6th Congressional District
Politics
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Local
[edit | edit source]The Republican Party controls politics at the local level in Atchison County. Republicans hold all but two of the elected positions in the county.
Template:Missouri county elected officials
State
[edit | edit source]| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 81.05% 2,125 | 16.29% 427 | 2.67% 70 |
| 2020 | 78.38% 2,171 | 19.24% 533 | 2.38% 66 |
| 2016 | 65.22% 1,746 | 31.45% 842 | 3.33% 89 |
| 2012 | 49.83% 1,319 | 46.85% 1,240 | 3.32% 88 |
| 2008 | 45.93% 1,336 | 50.22% 1,461 | 3.85% 112 |
| 2004 | 63.65% 1,973 | 34.90% 1,082 | 1.45% 45 |
| 2000 | 57.05% 1,610 | 41.42% 1,169 | 1.53% 43 |
| 1996 | 37.36% 1,111 | 61.13% 1,818 | 1.51% 45 |
| 1992 | 50.70% 1,604 | 49.30% 1,560 | 0.00% 0 |
All of Atchison County is a part of Missouri's 1st District in the Missouri House of Representatives and is represented by Jeff Farnan (R-Stanberry). Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end
All of Atchison County is a part of Missouri's 12th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Rusty Black (R-Chillicothe). Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end
Federal
[edit | edit source]All of Atchison County is included in Missouri's 6th Congressional District and is currently represented by Sam Graves (R-Tarkio) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Graves was elected to a twelfth term in 2022 over Democratic challenger Henry Martin. Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end
Atchison County, along with the rest of the state of Missouri, is represented in the U.S. Senate by Josh Hawley (R-Columbia) and Eric Schmitt (R-Glendale). Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end
Blunt was elected to a second term in 2016 over then-Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander. Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end
Political culture
[edit | edit source]| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1888 | 1,554 | 46.17% | 1,465 | 43.52% | 347 | 10.31% |
| 1892 | 1,093 | 31.98% | 1,147 | 33.56% | 1,178 | 34.46% |
| 1896 | 1,587 | 40.64% | 2,272 | 58.18% | 46 | 1.18% |
| 1900 | 1,767 | 45.99% | 1,926 | 50.13% | 149 | 3.88% |
| 1904 | 1,839 | 52.75% | 1,506 | 43.20% | 141 | 4.04% |
| 1908 | 1,700 | 49.66% | 1,651 | 48.23% | 72 | 2.10% |
| 1912 | 1,138 | 34.52% | 1,534 | 46.53% | 625 | 18.96% |
| 1916 | 1,626 | 48.12% | 1,697 | 50.22% | 56 | 1.66% |
| 1920 | 3,236 | 58.69% | 2,227 | 40.39% | 51 | 0.92% |
| 1924 | 2,710 | 49.26% | 2,617 | 47.57% | 174 | 3.16% |
| 1928 | 3,239 | 55.98% | 2,535 | 43.81% | 12 | 0.21% |
| 1932 | 2,155 | 37.12% | 3,617 | 62.30% | 34 | 0.59% |
| 1936 | 3,044 | 46.81% | 3,452 | 53.08% | 7 | 0.11% |
| 1940 | 3,322 | 52.25% | 3,025 | 47.58% | 11 | 0.17% |
| 1944 | 2,803 | 55.83% | 2,214 | 44.09% | 4 | 0.08% |
| 1948 | 2,190 | 46.67% | 2,498 | 53.23% | 5 | 0.11% |
| 1952 | 3,259 | 61.53% | 2,028 | 38.29% | 10 | 0.19% |
| 1956 | 2,774 | 54.45% | 2,321 | 45.55% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 2,659 | 55.10% | 2,167 | 44.90% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 1,653 | 36.55% | 2,870 | 63.45% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 2,206 | 51.36% | 1,752 | 40.79% | 337 | 7.85% |
| 1972 | 2,927 | 65.98% | 1,509 | 34.02% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 1,960 | 49.87% | 1,926 | 49.01% | 44 | 1.12% |
| 1980 | 2,096 | 58.94% | 1,273 | 35.80% | 187 | 5.26% |
| 1984 | 2,277 | 65.13% | 1,219 | 34.87% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 1,761 | 54.37% | 1,468 | 45.32% | 10 | 0.31% |
| 1992 | 1,140 | 35.64% | 1,208 | 37.76% | 851 | 26.60% |
| 1996 | 1,327 | 44.56% | 1,266 | 42.51% | 385 | 12.93% |
| 2000 | 1,798 | 62.63% | 1,013 | 35.28% | 60 | 2.09% |
| 2004 | 2,137 | 67.71% | 1,005 | 31.84% | 14 | 0.44% |
| 2008 | 1,936 | 65.05% | 1,000 | 33.60% | 40 | 1.34% |
| 2012 | 1,902 | 70.21% | 756 | 27.91% | 51 | 1.88% |
| 2016 | 2,060 | 75.46% | 541 | 19.82% | 129 | 4.73% |
| 2020 | 2,199 | 78.14% | 564 | 20.04% | 51 | 1.81% |
| 2024 | 2,152 | 79.32% | 529 | 19.50% | 32 | 1.18% |
| 2016 | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% |
At the presidential level, Atchison County is solidly Republican. Atchison County strongly favored Donald Trump in both 2016 and 2020. Bill Clinton was the last Democratic presidential nominee to carry Atchison County in 1992 with a plurality of the vote, and a Democrat hasn't won majority support from the county's voters in a presidential election since Lyndon Johnson in 1964.
Like most rural areas throughout northwest Missouri, voters in Atchison County generally adhere to socially and culturally conservative principles which tend to influence their Republican leanings. In 2018, Missourians voted on a proposition (Proposition A) concerning right to work, the outcome of which ultimately reversed the right to work legislation passed in the state the previous year. However, 57.61% of Atchison County voters cast their ballots to keep the law.
Missouri presidential preference primaries
[edit | edit source]2020
[edit | edit source]The 2020 presidential primaries for both the Democratic and Republican parties were held in Missouri on March 10. On the Democratic side, former Vice President Joe Biden (D-Delaware) both won statewide and carried Atchison County by a wide margin. Biden went on to defeat President Donald Trump in the general election. Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end
Incumbent President Donald Trump (R-Florida) faced a primary challenge from former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld, but won both Atchison County and statewide by large margins. Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end
2016
[edit | edit source]The 2016 presidential primaries for both the Republican and Democratic parties were held in Missouri on March 15. Businessman Donald Trump (R-New York) narrowly won the state overall and carried a plurality of the vote in Atchison County. He went on to win the presidency. Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end
On the Democratic side, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) carried Atchison County, but former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (D-New York) won statewide by a small margin. Clinton won the nomination that year. Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end
2012
[edit | edit source]The 2012 Missouri Republican Presidential Primary's results were nonbinding on the state's national convention delegates. Voters in Atchison County supported former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pennsylvania), who finished first in the state at large, but eventually lost the nomination to former Governor Mitt Romney (R-Massachusetts). Delegates to the congressional district and state conventions were chosen at a county caucus, which selected a delegation favoring Santorum. Incumbent President Barack Obama easily won the Missouri Democratic Primary and renomination. He defeated Romney in the general election.
2008
[edit | edit source]In 2008, the Missouri Republican Presidential Primary was closely contested, with Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) prevailing and eventually winning the nomination. Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end
Then-Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes than any candidate from either party in Atchison County during the 2008 presidential primary. Despite initial reports that Clinton had won Missouri, Barack Obama (D-Illinois), also a Senator at the time, narrowly defeated her statewide and later became that year's Democratic nominee, going on to win the presidency. Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end
See also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "2020 Population and Housing State Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
- ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ↑ "Disappearing Missouri Names". The Kansas City Star. March 19, 1911. p. 15. Retrieved August 15, 2014 – via Newspapers.com. Error creating thumbnail:
- ↑ Eaton, David Wolfe (1916). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. pp. 202.
- ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
- ↑ "Midlands". docs.google.com. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ↑ "County Maps". Missouri Department of Transportation. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
- ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Missouri- Table 16 - Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. pp. 20–25.
- ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Missouri: Table 5 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. pp. 13–63.
- ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Atchison County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Atchison County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Atchison County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
- ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
- ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
- ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
- ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
- ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
- ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Buckley, Cara; Elliott, David Robert (April 22, 2025). "A Funeral Director Brought Wind Power to Rock Port, Missouri". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
- ↑ "Rural town's wind farm reduces reliance on grid". Columbia Daily Tribune. January 25, 2008. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
- ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Atchison County, MO" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved December 15, 2024. - Text list
- ↑ "2023-2024 Official Manual of the State of Missouri". Missouri Secretary of State. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
- ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
- ↑ There were only 1,114 votes for the leading "other" candidate, Populist James Weaver, plus 64 for the Prohibition Party's John Bidwell.
External links
[edit | edit source] |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Atchison County, Missouri. |
- Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Atchison County Archived August 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine from University of Missouri Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books
- Use American English from June 2025
- Use mdy dates from April 2024
- Official website not in Wikidata
- Articles needing additional references from April 2023
- Coordinates not on Wikidata
- Atchison County, Missouri
- Missouri counties
- Missouri counties on the Missouri River
- 1845 establishments in Missouri
- Populated places in the United States established in 1845