According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²), all of it land.

As of the census of 2000, there were 977 people, 361 households, and 275 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,197.6 people per square mile (460.0/km²). There were 369 housing units at an average density of 452.3/sq mi (173.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.69% White, 0.10% Native American, and 0.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.82% of the population.

There were 361 households out of which 42.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.1% were married couples living together, 5.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.8% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the city the population was spread out with 31.3% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 34.2% from 25 to 44, 17.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 102.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $50,833, and the median income for a family was $58,375. Males had a median income of $40,950 versus $26,719 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,507. About 1.7% of families and 3.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.0% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.

Atkins was once an important railroad town, as it was exactly half-way between Omaha and Chicago. Watermelon Days is a festival held the first Saturday of every August and features a parade, food, games, music, and fireworks at the end of the day.

Atkins | Belle Plaine | Blairstown | Garrison | Keystone | Luzerne | Mount Auburn | Newhall | Norway | Shellsburg | Urbana | Van Horne | Vinton | Walford‡

Benton | Big Grove | Bruce | Canton | Cedar | Eden | Eldorado | Florence | Fremont | Harrison | Homer | Iowa | Jackson | Kane | Leroy | Monroe | Polk | St. Clair | Taylor | Union

Watkins

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties