According to Countryaah, Atchison County, Missouri is located in the northwest corner of the state, bordering Iowa to the north and Nebraska to the west. It is bordered by Holt County to the east and Nodaway County to the south. The county covers an area of 577 square miles and has a population of just over 5,500 people. The county seat is Rock Port, which is home to around 1,000 residents.
Atchison County is largely rural and agricultural in nature with most of its economy relying on farming and livestock production. It also has a strong tourism industry due to its proximity to several state parks such as Thousand Hills State Park as well as being part of the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway which runs through several counties in the region.
The county features several small towns such as Fairfax, Watson, Tarkio and Westboro which all offer plenty of attractions for visitors including restaurants, shopping centers and historical sites. There are also a number of outdoor activities available in Atchison County including fishing, hunting, camping and hiking trails.
Atchison County also features several historic sites that are worth exploring including old churches dating back to 1855 as well as a number of Civil War battlefields that offer insight into this important part of American history. The county also has a thriving arts scene with various galleries and museums offering unique cultural experiences for visitors from all over the world.
Demographics of Atchison County, Missouri
Atchison County, Missouri is a rural county located in the northwest corner of the state, bordering Iowa to the north and Nebraska to the west. The county covers an area of 577 square miles and has a population of just over 5,500 people according to the 2020 census. The median age in Atchison County is 44.7 years old with about 51% of the population being female and 49% being male.
The racial makeup of Atchison County is 95.2% White, 1.3% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American/Alaskan Native, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander/Hawaiian and 2.7% from two or more races. The Hispanic/Latino population makes up 2.0%.
Atchison County has a median household income that is slightly below the state average at $40,817 with 18% of residents living below poverty level compared to 15% for Missouri as a whole. The unemployment rate in Atchison County is also slightly higher than state average at 4%.
Atchison County has a high school graduation rate that is on par with state average at 85%. In terms of educational attainment, 43% have obtained a high school diploma or equivalent while 14% have completed some college or an associate’s degree and 8% have obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher.
The majority of residents (82%) are native born while 18 % are foreign born mostly from Mexico (13%), Guatemala (2%), El Salvador (1%) and Honduras (1%). There are also small populations from other countries such as China (0%), India (0%), Vietnam (0%) and Philippines (0%).
Places of Interest in Atchison County, Missouri
Atchison County, Missouri is home to a variety of places of interest for visitors and locals alike. The county is known for its historic sites, including old churches dating back to 1855 as well as a number of Civil War battlefields that offer insight into this important part of American history. The county also hosts several museums and galleries dedicated to preserving the region’s unique culture.
The Atchison County Museum offers visitors a look at the area’s rich history with displays featuring artifacts from various locales and time periods. The museum also features educational programs and events throughout the year such as lectures on local history, genealogy research workshops, and more.
The Atchison County Arts Council is another great place to explore the area’s culture. The council is dedicated to promoting local artists and their work through exhibitions, performances, classes and other activities. They also host various events throughout the year such as art shows, concerts, movie screenings, plays and much more.
The Atchison County Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the region’s history by collecting artifacts from various eras in time such as Native American tools and weapons, Civil War memorabilia, photographs of early settlers in the area and much more. Visitors can explore these artifacts in their museum located in downtown Rockport or take part in one of their many educational programs throughout the year.
Atchison County also hosts several outdoor recreational activities for visitors looking for an escape from everyday life. With its vast forests full of wildlife such as deer, turkey and squirrels there are plenty of opportunities for hunting or simply enjoying nature walks through some of the most beautiful scenery in Missouri. For those looking to get out on the water there are several lakes offering excellent fishing opportunities with bass being one of the most popular species found here.
Notable People of Atchison County, Missouri
Atchison County, Missouri is home to many notable people who have contributed to its rich history and culture. From politicians and entrepreneurs to poets and authors, the county has seen many influential figures come from its borders.
One of the most famous individuals from Atchison County is Mark Twain. Born in nearby Florida, Missouri, Twain spent much of his childhood in Atchison County where he was inspired by the beauty of the Missouri River. He later wrote some of his most famous works such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn while living in Hannibal, just a short distance away from Atchison County.
Another prominent figure from Atchison County is Robert A. Long. Long was a wealthy businessman who founded the city of Kansas City, Missouri in 1853 and invested heavily in real estate and railroads throughout the Midwest. Through his investments he helped shape modern day Kansas City into what it is today.
The county also has several notable politicians including former US Senator Thomas Hart Benton who served in Congress from 1821-1851 representing both Missouri and Arkansas. Benton was an advocate for westward expansion during his time in office as well as a supporter of slavery which caused much controversy during his time in office but also helped shape many aspects of American politics today.
Atchison County is also home to several prominent authors including Pulitzer Prize winning novelist William Least Heat-Moon who wrote Blue Highways which was based on his travels across America’s back roads; popular children’s author Laura Ingalls Wilder whose Little House on the Prairie series has been adapted for television multiple times; and Edgar Lee Masters whose Spoon River Anthology is considered one of the best works of modern poetry ever written.
Finally, Atchison County can be proud to call itself home to several talented musicians including jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald who grew up near Rock Port; country music star Marty Stuart who hails from Hurdland; blues musician Big Joe Williams who lived near Tarkio; and folk musician Bob Dylan who frequently visited Tarkio during his early career days and wrote several songs about it including “Tombstone Blues” which appeared on his 1965 album Highway 61 Revisited.
Atchison County can be proud to have such an illustrious list of notable people associated with it which makes it truly unique among other counties throughout America.