Atchison County, Missouri | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofMissouri | |
 Missouri's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:40°26′N95°26′W / 40.43°N 95.43°W /40.43; -95.43 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Missouri |
| Founded | February 14, 1845 |
| Named after | David Rice Atchison |
| Seat | Rock Port |
| Largest city | Tarkio |
| Area | |
• Total | 550 sq mi (1,400 km2) |
| • Land | 547 sq mi (1,420 km2) |
| • Water | 2.8 sq mi (7.3 km2) 0.5% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 5,305 |
| • Density | 9.70/sq mi (3.74/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 6th |
| Website | www |
Atchison County is the northwesternmostcounty in theU.S. state ofMissouri. As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 5,305.[1] Itscounty seat isRock 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 forU.S. SenatorDavid Rice Atchison from Missouri.[4]
According to theU.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 theMissouri River andNebraska. An 1867 flood straightened a bend in the river north of Watson. Both Nebraska and Missouri claimed the 5,000 acreMcKissick 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]
TheState Line Slough (Missouri) stream is in Atchison County.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 1,678 | — | |
| 1860 | 4,649 | 177.1% | |
| 1870 | 8,440 | 81.5% | |
| 1880 | 14,556 | 72.5% | |
| 1890 | 15,533 | 6.7% | |
| 1900 | 16,501 | 6.2% | |
| 1910 | 13,604 | −17.6% | |
| 1920 | 13,008 | −4.4% | |
| 1930 | 13,421 | 3.2% | |
| 1940 | 12,897 | −3.9% | |
| 1950 | 11,127 | −13.7% | |
| 1960 | 9,213 | −17.2% | |
| 1970 | 9,240 | 0.3% | |
| 1980 | 8,605 | −6.9% | |
| 1990 | 7,457 | −13.3% | |
| 2000 | 6,430 | −13.8% | |
| 2010 | 5,685 | −11.6% | |
| 2020 | 5,305 | −6.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9] 1990-2000[10] 2010-2015[1] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[12] | Pop 1990[13] | Pop 2000[14] | Pop 2010[15] | Pop 2020[16] | % 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 orAlaska 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 orPacific Islander alone (NH) | x[17] | x[18] | 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[19] | x[20] | 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 thecensus[21] of 2000, there were 6,430 people, 2,722 households, and 1,777 families residing in the county. Thepopulation 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 orAfrican American, 0.19%Native American, 0.14%Asian, 0.31% fromother races, and 0.31% from two or more races. Approximately 0.67% of the population wereHispanic orLatino 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% weremarried 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. Theper capita income for the county was $16,956. About 9.30% of families and 11.60% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 13.70% of those under age 18 and 12.40% of those age 65 or over.
According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2010), Atchison County is sometimes regarded as being on the northern edge of theBible Belt, although mainline Protestantism is the most predominant religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Atchison County who adhere to a religion areUnited Methodists (29.93%),Lutherans (LCMC) (22.16%), andSouthern Baptists (14.33%).
The county derives most of its energy fromwind power, with the amount produced exceeding its needs.[22] Several turbines installed byWind Capital Group, with investment from the John Deere Company, generated an estimated 16 million kilowatt hours of energy a year in 2008.[23] As of 2025, there are 342 wind turbines in the county.[22]
School districts include:[24]
Atchison County is divided into 11townships:
The population ranking of the following table is based on the2020 census of Atchison County.[25]
†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 |
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TheRepublican Party controls politics at the local level in Atchison County. Republicans hold all but two of the elected positions in the county.
| Atchison County, Missouri | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Elected countywide officials | |||
| Assessor | Rochelle Moore Long | Republican | |
| Circuit Clerk | Thyra Davis Beckman | Republican | |
| County Clerk | Susette M. Taylor | Republican | |
| Collector | Diane Livengood | Republican | |
| Commissioner (presiding) | Curtis Livengood | Republican | |
| Commissioner (district 1) | James Quimby | Republican | |
| Commissioner (district 2) | Richard C. Burke | Democratic | |
| Coroner | Shawn Minter Jr. | Republican | |
| Prosecuting Attorney | Brett Hurst | Republican | |
| Public Administrator | Teresa Jayne Scott | Republican | |
| Recorder | Eliza Beasing | Republican | |
| Sheriff | Dennis D. Martin | Republican | |
| Treasurer | Debbie True | Republican | |
| 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 theMissouri House of Representatives and is represented by Jeff Farnan (R-Stanberry).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jeff Farnan | 1,475 | 77.02% | −22.98 | |
| Democratic | Jess Piper | 440 | 22.98% | +22.98 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Allen Andrews | 2,575 | 100.00% | +17.73 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Allen Andrews | 1,819 | 82.27% | −17.73 | |
| Democratic | Paul Taylor | 392 | 17.73% | +17.73 | |
All of Atchison County is a part of Missouri's 12th District in theMissouri Senate and is currently represented by Rusty Black (R-Chillicothe).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Rusty Black | 1,591 | 82.86% | +4.23 | |
| Democratic | Michael J. Baumli | 329 | 17.14% | −4.23 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dan Hegeman | 1,722 | 78.63% | −21.37 | |
| Democratic | Terry Richard | 468 | 21.37% | +21.37 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dan Hegeman | 1,601 | 100.00% | ||
All of Atchison County is included inMissouri's 6th Congressional District and is currently represented bySam Graves (R-Tarkio) in theU.S. House of Representatives. Graves was elected to a twelfth term in2022 over Democratic challenger Henry Martin.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam Graves | 1,583 | 82.11% | +0.72 | |
| Democratic | Henry Martin | 302 | 15.66% | −0.35 | |
| Libertarian | Edward A. "Andy" Maidment | 43 | 2.23% | −0.37 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam Graves | 2,257 | 81.39% | +4.53 | |
| Democratic | Gena L. Ross | 444 | 16.01% | −3.66 | |
| Libertarian | Jim Higgins | 72 | 2.60% | −0.87 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam Graves | 1,704 | 76.86% | −0.16 | |
| Democratic | Henry Robert Martin | 436 | 19.67% | +0.20 | |
| Libertarian | Dan Hogan | 77 | 3.47% | +0.97 | |
Atchison County, along with the rest of the state of Missouri, is represented in theU.S. Senate byJosh Hawley (R-Columbia) andEric Schmitt (R-Glendale).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Eric Schmitt | 1,468 | 76.44% | +6.87 | |
| Democratic | Trudy Busch Valentine | 392 | 20.52% | −5.90 | |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 32 | 1.68% | +1.01 | |
| Constitution | Paul Venable | 18 | 0.94% | +0.94 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Josh Hawley | 1,619 | 72.70% | +22.40 | |
| Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 542 | 24.34% | −19.02 | |
| Libertarian | Japheth Campbell | 36 | 1.62% | −4.72 | |
| Independent | Craig O'Dear | 15 | 0.67% | ||
| Green | Jo Crain | 15 | 0.67% | +0.67 | |
Blunt was elected to a second term in2016 over then-Missouri Secretary of StateJason Kander.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Roy Blunt | 1,861 | 69.57% | +19.27 | |
| Democratic | Jason Kander | 704 | 26.32% | −17.04 | |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 72 | 2.69% | −3.35 | |
| Green | Johnathan McFarland | 19 | 0.71% | +0.71 | |
| Constitution | Fred Ryman | 19 | 0.71% | +0.71 | |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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% |
At the presidential level, Atchison County is solidly Republican. Atchison County strongly favoredDonald Trump in both2016 and2020.Bill Clinton was the last Democratic presidential nominee to carry Atchison County in1992 with a plurality of the vote, and a Democrat hasn't won majority support from the county's voters in a presidential election sinceLyndon Johnson in1964.
Like most rural areas throughout northwest Missouri, voters in Atchison County generally adhere to socially and culturallyconservative principles which tend to influence their Republican leanings. In 2018, Missourians voted on a proposition (Proposition A) concerningright 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.
The 2020 presidential primaries for both the Democratic and Republican parties were held in Missouri on March 10. On the Democratic side, formerVice PresidentJoe Biden (D-Delaware) both won statewide and carried Atchison County by a wide margin. Biden went on to defeatPresidentDonald Trump in the general election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joe Biden | 211 | 66.98 | ||
| Democratic | Bernie Sanders | 86 | 27.30 | ||
| Democratic | Tulsi Gabbard | 4 | 1.27 | ||
| Democratic | Others/Uncommitted | 14 | 4.44 | ||
IncumbentPresidentDonald Trump (R-Florida) faced a primary challenge from formerMassachusetts GovernorBill Weld, but won both Atchison County and statewide by large margins.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Donald Trump | 454 | 98.06 | ||
| Republican | Bill Weld | 5 | 1.08 | ||
| Republican | Others/Uncommitted | 4 | 0.86 | ||
The 2016 presidential primaries for both the Republican and Democratic parties were held in Missouri on March 15. BusinessmanDonald 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.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Donald Trump | 487 | 43.68 | ||
| Republican | Ted Cruz | 325 | 29.15 | ||
| Republican | Marco Rubio | 135 | 12.11 | ||
| Republican | John Kasich | 123 | 11.03 | ||
| Republican | Others/Uncommitted | 45 | 4.04 | ||
On the Democratic side,SenatorBernie Sanders (I-Vermont) carried Atchison County, but formerSecretary of StateHillary Clinton (D-New York) won statewide by a small margin. Clinton won the nomination that year.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Bernie Sanders | 173 | 54.57 | ||
| Democratic | Hillary Clinton | 141 | 44.48 | ||
| Democratic | Others/Uncommitted | 3 | 0.95 | ||
The 2012 Missouri Republican Presidential Primary's results were nonbinding on the state's national convention delegates. Voters in Atchison County supported formerU.S. SenatorRick Santorum (R-Pennsylvania), who finished first in the state at large, but eventually lost the nomination to formerGovernorMitt Romney (R-Massachusetts). Delegates to the congressional district and state conventions were chosen at a county caucus, which selected a delegation favoring Santorum. IncumbentPresidentBarack Obama easily won the Missouri Democratic Primary and renomination. He defeated Romney in the general election.
In 2008, the Missouri Republican Presidential Primary was closely contested, withSenatorJohn McCain (R-Arizona) prevailing and eventually winning the nomination.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John McCain | 281 | 37.92 | ||
| Republican | Mitt Romney | 230 | 31.04 | ||
| Republican | Mike Huckabee | 189 | 25.51 | ||
| Republican | Ron Paul | 25 | 3.37 | ||
| Republican | Others/Uncommitted | 16 | 2.15 | ||
Then-SenatorHillary 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 aSenator at the time, narrowly defeated her statewide and later became that year's Democratic nominee, going on to win the presidency.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Hillary Clinton | 347 | 54.73 | ||
| Democratic | Barack Obama | 262 | 41.32 | ||
| Democratic | Others/Uncommitted | 25 | 3.94 | ||
Places adjacent to Atchison County, Missouri | |
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Municipalities and communities ofAtchison County, Missouri,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities |  | |
| Village | ||
| Townships | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Extinct Hamlets | ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
