Watson is a village in Nishnabotna Township, Atchison County, Missouri, United States. The population was 61 at the 2020 census. It is the westernmost settlement in the state of Missouri, about 120 miles northwest of Kansas City.
History
Watson was platted in 1869. and incorporated in 1874. The village was named after a railroad official. A post office was established at Watson in 1869, and remained in operation until 1965.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all land.
Watson is located in the Missouri River Valley at the junction of the Burlington Northern Railroad and Missouri Route A. It is approximately 7 miles northwest of Rock Port and 8 miles south-southeast of Hamburg, Iowa. Peru, Nebraska lies about 5.5 west across the Missouri River. It is the closest settlement in Missouri to McKissick Island.
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 100 people, 40 households, and 28 families living in the village. The population density was . There were 47 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the village was 100.0% White.
There were 40 households, of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.0% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.96.
The median age in the village was 38.7 years. 21% of residents were under the age of 18; 10% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25% were from 25 to 44; 29% were from 45 to 64; and 15% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 54.0% male and 46.0% female.
2000 census
As of the census Rock Port High School is the zoned comprehensive high school.
Notable person
Current Missouri Supreme Court Judge Zel Fischer grew up in Watson.