Atchison County's composite score of 73.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 46%, demonstrating above-average livability compared to the broader U.S. landscape. This strength largely reflects its exceptional housing affordability.
2 / 5
Mid-Pack Performance Within Missouri
Atchison's 73.0 score sits slightly below Missouri's state average of 74.8, placing it in the middle of the state's county rankings. While competitive, it doesn't rank among Missouri's very strongest performers.
3 / 5
Housing Bargains Lead the Way
Atchison stands out for its extraordinary housing affordability, with the lowest median home value in this sample at $100,600 and the cheapest rent at just $595/month, yielding the county's impressive cost score of 88.5. For renters and first-time buyers, this is a major draw.
4 / 5
Tax and Income Both Lag Peers
Atchison's tax score of 69.3 reflects a 1.171% effective tax rate—the highest in this county set—while its income score of 22.1 and median household income of $59,260 indicate moderate earning power. Multiple dimensions including safety, health, and schools await assessment.
5 / 5
Perfect for Ultra-Affordable Rural Living
Atchison County best serves those willing to accept higher taxes and modest incomes in exchange for rock-bottom housing costs. Retirees on fixed incomes and remote workers seeking maximum affordability will find exceptional value.
Atchison County's composite score of 73.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 46%, demonstrating above-average livability compared to the broader U.S. landscape. This strength largely reflects its exceptional housing affordability.
Mid-Pack Performance Within Missouri
Atchison's 73.0 score sits slightly below Missouri's state average of 74.8, placing it in the middle of the state's county rankings. While competitive, it doesn't rank among Missouri's very strongest performers.
Housing Bargains Lead the Way
Atchison stands out for its extraordinary housing affordability, with the lowest median home value in this sample at $100,600 and the cheapest rent at just $595/month, yielding the county's impressive cost score of 88.5. For renters and first-time buyers, this is a major draw.
Tax and Income Both Lag Peers
Atchison's tax score of 69.3 reflects a 1.171% effective tax rate—the highest in this county set—while its income score of 22.1 and median household income of $59,260 indicate moderate earning power. Multiple dimensions including safety, health, and schools await assessment.
Perfect for Ultra-Affordable Rural Living
Atchison County best serves those willing to accept higher taxes and modest incomes in exchange for rock-bottom housing costs. Retirees on fixed incomes and remote workers seeking maximum affordability will find exceptional value.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛69.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Atchison County leads the state and nation with an effective property tax rate of 1.171%—well above the national median of 0.863% and the highest among all eight counties profiled here. However, low home values of $100,600 keep the actual tax bill ($1,178) moderate.
Highest rate in Missouri by a wide margin
At 1.171%, Atchison County's effective rate significantly exceeds Missouri's average of 0.733%, making it one of the most heavily taxed counties in the state. This 60% premium over the state average reflects the county's unique tax structure and spending needs.
Tax rate far exceeds surrounding counties
Atchison County's 1.171% rate towers over every neighboring county, including Adair (0.759%), Andrew (0.762%), and Audrain (0.875%). This sharp difference makes Atchison County a notable outlier in the north-central region.
Lower homes keep bills manageable
Despite the state's highest tax rate, Atchison County homeowners with median-valued properties at $100,600 pay approximately $1,178 in annual taxes. The low property values offset the high rate, resulting in tax bills below the state median.
Verify your assessment carefully
In high-tax counties like Atchison, even small overassessments compound quickly into significant annual overpayments. Request a recent property appraisal and compare your assessed value to similar homes sold recently; if it's higher, file an appeal to reduce your burden.
Atchison County's 12.1% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the lowest in the state and well below the national norm, making it a rare affordability gem. Despite household incomes 21% below the national median, Atchison residents enjoy exceptional housing value.
Best affordability rank in Missouri's rural tier
Atchison leads Missouri counties in housing affordability with the lowest rent-to-income ratio at 12.1%, significantly outpacing the state average of 15.6%. No other county among these eight matches Atchison's combination of low rents and low home values.
Atchison's rents dramatically undercut the region
At $595 monthly, Atchison's median rent is 23% cheaper than Adair ($782) and 22% below state average ($768), while median home values languish at just $100,600. This county sacrifices home appreciation potential in exchange for the lowest living costs in the dataset.
Lowest costs and lowest values converge
Renters allocate just $595 monthly while owners pay $619, with median home values of $100,600 reflecting limited demand and investment. The $59,260 median household income means housing claims only 12% of gross earnings—ideal for budget-conscious families willing to trade equity growth for cash-flow savings.
Atchison suits frugal movers and early retirees
If your priority is maximum affordability and you're prepared for limited home appreciation, Atchison delivers unbeatable monthly costs and low property taxes. Recent retirees on fixed incomes or those building emergency savings should strongly consider this county's exceptional housing-to-income ratio.
Atchison County's median household income of $59,260 trails the national median of $74,755 by $15,495. While below the American average, Atchison performs modestly better than many rural counties nationally.
Slightly above Missouri median
At $59,260, Atchison's median household income edges past Missouri's state average of $59,503 by just $243. The county sits near the state midpoint, representing a typical Missouri community in economic terms.
Mid-range income among nearby counties
Atchison's $59,260 income places it between Adair County's $56,583 and Andrew County's $74,007, making it a middle-ground earner regionally. The county outperforms Audrain County at $56,232 while falling well short of Andrew's stronger economy.
Excellent housing affordability
Atchison boasts the region's lowest rent-to-income ratio at 12.1%, meaning renters keep more earnings for other needs. The median home value of $100,600 is the county's greatest affordability advantage, making homeownership highly accessible to local households.
Leverage Atchison's low housing costs
Atchison's exceptional housing affordability—lowest home values in the region—creates prime conditions for first-time homebuyers to build equity. Households can capitalize on modest housing expenses to save aggressively for retirement, education, and investment portfolios.
At 73.9 years, Atchison County residents live nearly a year shorter than the U.S. average of 74.4 years. Nearly one in five report poor or fair health (19.3%), placing the county below national averages and signaling the need for health improvement.
Atchison lags Missouri's health average
Atchison County's 73.9-year life expectancy falls below Missouri's state average of 74.3 years, ranking among the state's shorter-lived counties. Its 12.7% uninsured rate matches the state average, meaning coverage isn't the primary barrier—underlying health conditions may be.
Struggling compared to neighbors
Atchison's 73.9-year life expectancy ranks last among nearby counties, nearly five years below Andrew County and 1.5 years below Adair County. This gap suggests Atchison residents face distinct health challenges requiring targeted intervention.
Limited providers, tight insurance coverage
Atchison has just 38 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—among Missouri's lowest—making routine care difficult to access. With 12.7% uninsured, one in eight residents lacks coverage, compounding the challenge of seeking regular medical attention.
Healthcare access starts with coverage.
Atchison's high uninsured rate (12.7%) adds to existing provider shortages, making affordable coverage urgent. Visit healthcare.gov today or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore Medicaid and marketplace options—getting covered is the first step toward better health outcomes.
Atchison County's composite risk score of 21.72 ranks in the Very Low category, nearly 60% below Missouri's state average of 50.56. This puts Atchison among the safest counties in the nation for natural disaster exposure.
One of Missouri's lowest-risk regions
Atchison County ranks in the lowest tier of natural disaster risk across Missouri, placing it in the top safety tier statewide. Only a handful of counties demonstrate lower composite risk scores.
Lowest risk in your region
Atchison County's 21.72 score makes it the safest of the three northernmost counties, outperforming Andrew County (22.14) and significantly exceeding Adair County (28.72). Your location provides genuine shelter from multiple hazard types affecting neighboring areas.
Tornadoes present your main threat
Tornado risk dominates Atchison County's hazard profile at 43.61, though this remains well below many regions statewide. Wildfire (28.75) and earthquake (14.15) risks are minimal, and hurricane exposure is nonexistent.
Add windstorm protection to insurance
Include windstorm and hail coverage in your homeowners policy to address Atchison County's primary natural disaster risk. Review your policy every 2-3 years and maintain current emergency contact information for all household members.