Elections

As of 2024, Atchison County, Missouri, has around 3,200 registered voters. The county holds local, state, and federal elections, including city offices, school boards, and ballot initiatives. In the 2020 presidential election, about 75% of votes went to the Republican candidate. There are five main polling locations in the county. Recent issues include rural broadband expansion and road maintenance. Elections are administered by the Atchison County Clerk’s office. The Republican and Democratic parties both maintain active local committees, with the area traditionally leaning Republican based on the last three major election cycles’ results.

Demographics

As of the 2020 Census, Atchison County, Missouri, had a population of 5,305. The median age was 47.8 years, with 21% under 18 and 24% aged 65 and over. Females made up 50.7% of the population. The county is predominantly White (94.3%), with small representations of Hispanic or Latino (2.1%), Black or African American (0.7%), and other races.

Education, Employment and Housing

Atchison County, MO, has three public school districts, serving about 700 students across elementary to high school levels. The county graduation rate is approximately 94%. Around 18% of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Schools maintain safety protocols, with state-reported incidents below average. Standardized test scores align closely with state averages. Adult education and GED programs are available through local resources. Educational programs include agriculture, STEM, and career-tech tracks, promoting workforce readiness.

Atchison County, MO, had an employment rate of approximately 56% in 2022. Major employment sectors include health care & social assistance (18%), agriculture (15%), and retail trade (12%). Top occupations are management (18%), sales/office (16%), and production/transportation (15%). About 70% of residents commute alone by car, with an average commute time of 19 minutes. Most employment is local, but around 25% work in neighboring counties, particularly in Nodaway and Holt.

Atchison County, Missouri, has a homeownership rate of about 77%, with median home values around $93,000 (2022). Median gross rent is approximately $675 monthly. Property values have seen modest growth, increasing about 3% annually in recent years. Housing types are predominantly single-family detached homes, with some multi-family units in towns like Rock Port and Tarkio. Neighborhoods are rural and close-knit. Effective property tax rates are roughly 1.01%, lower than the national average, with the average annual tax bill around $930. The housing market remains affordable compared to state and national averages.

County Crime & Safety

Atchison County, MO, maintains relatively low crime rates compared to state and national averages. According to the latest FBI data, the county reported just 1 violent crime and 32 property crimes in 2022, resulting in a violent crime rate of 4.5 per 10,000 residents and a property crime rate of 145 per 10,000 residents. Local law enforcement emphasizes community policing and public awareness, and residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity. Overall, Atchison County is considered a safe area with steady crime monitoring and effective reporting systems in place.