The gender makeup of the city was 47.4% male and 52.6% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 1,279 people, 577 households, and 347 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,229.7 people per square mile (474.8/km²). There were 708 housing units at an average density of 680.7 per square mile (262.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.67% White, 0.16% African American, 0.23% Native American, and 0.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.39% of the population. There were 577 households out of which 23.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.7% were non-families. 36.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.78. In the city, the population was spread out with 21.7% under the age of 18, 3.5% from 18 to 24, 21.7% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 29.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males. As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $30,221, and the median income for a family was $39,375. Males had a median income of $27,768 versus $19,063 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,161. About 4.5% of families and 10.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.8% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over. The community is served by Rawlins County USD 105 public school district, formed in 2003 by the consolidation of Herndon USD 317 and Atwood USD 318. The district has two schools in Atwood:  US-36 and K-25 highways cross in Atwood. Nebraska Kansas Colorado Railway passes through Atwood.