The Town FilesClinton, Kentucky
City in Hickman County · population 1,222 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $67,100
- Household income
- $34,464
- Jan low / Jul high
- 27° / 88°
- Snow a year
- 4 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 23
- Median age
- 52.5
Clinton is a city of 1,222 people in Hickman County, Kentucky. The median home is worth $67,100, below the typical Kentucky town ($161,450). It ranks better for retirees than 100% of Kentucky towns, quieter than 96% of Kentucky towns, better transit than 93% of Kentucky towns.
- #1 in The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Kentucky
- #2 in The 25 Best Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Kentucky With Mild Winters
- #3 in The 25 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Kentucky
- #14 in The 25 Quietest Small Towns in Kentucky
- #14 in 25 Small Towns in Kentucky With the Cheapest Homes
How Clinton ranks
Percentile among Kentucky towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Kentucky towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Clinton is worth $67,100, below the typical Kentucky town ($161,450). Homes cost about 1.9 times the median household income of $34,464, which is more affordable than 92% of Kentucky towns. Median rent is $653 a month. 57.1% of households own their home.
| Housing | Clinton | Typical Kentucky town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $67,100 | $161,450 |
| Median rent | $653 | $837 |
| Median household income | $34,464 | $54,969 |
| Home value ÷ income | 1.9× | 3.0× |
| Homeownership | 57.1% | 63.5% |
| Median year built | 1968 | 1974 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 0.0% | — |
Who lives in Clinton
| People | Clinton | Typical Kentucky town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 52.5 | 39.1 |
| Age 65 and over | 26.9% | 18.1% |
| Under 18 | 13.6% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.9% | 19.8% |
| Below the poverty line | 30.0% | 18.0% |
| Veterans | 5.2% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 0.8% | — |
| Work from home | 0.0% | 7.5% |
| Average commute | 19.6 min | 22.2 min |
| Homes with broadband | 84.2% | 88.6% |
Weather in Clinton
July highs average 88.4°F and January lows 26.9°F. About 53.8 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 3.7 inches of snow (typical Kentucky town: 9.4 in). Expect about 42 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 86 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
23 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Clinton since 1950, compared with 19 for the typical Kentucky town. 11 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an EF4, struck on December 10, 2021 about 5.4 miles from the town center and killed 1. Tornadoes within 10 miles have caused 25 deaths and 226 injuries since 1950. The most recent was on August 12, 2023.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 17 times; the largest was 2.00 inches on April 19, 1959.
Severe weather in Hickman County since 1996
Hickman County has been included in 28 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, tornado, hurricane.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| January 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | EM-3633: Severe Winter Storm |
| April 24, 2025 | Severe Storm | DR-4864: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides |
| April 3, 2025 | Severe Storm | EM-3626: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding |
| February 24, 2025 | Severe Storm | DR-4860: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides |
| February 16, 2025 | Severe Storm | EM-3624: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, And Landslides |
Jobs and pay in Hickman County
Hickman County had 951 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $41,176 a year. Unemployment was 4.5% in 2023; in Clinton itself the ACS puts it at 7.8%.
Public schools in Clinton
2 public schools with 717 students, about 13.0 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hickman County Elementary School | PK-6 | 412 | 13.3 |
| Hickman County High School | 7-12 | 305 | 12.7 |
Towns near Clinton
- Fulton, KY12.2 mi · 2,357 people · home $56,300
- Hickman, KY12.6 mi · 2,365 people · home $70,800
- South Fulton, TN13.4 mi · 2,245 people · home $83,400
- Wingo, KY14.1 mi · 573 people · home $117,200
- Bardwell, KY14.5 mi · 714 people · home $74,200
- Union City, TN16.8 mi · 11,170 people · home $146,000
- Mayfield, KY20.0 mi · 10,017 people · home $112,500
- Wickliffe, KY21.3 mi · 670 people · home $68,400
Clinton questions
Is Clinton, Kentucky a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Clinton scores better for retirees than 100% of Kentucky towns and quieter than 96%. 26.9% of residents are 65 or older (median age 52.5).
How much does a house cost in Clinton?
The median owner-occupied home in Clinton is valued at $67,100 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $34,464, so homes cost about 1.9 times income. Median rent is $653 a month.
What is the weather like in Clinton?
July highs average 88.4°F and January lows 26.9°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 53.8 inches of precipitation a year and 3.7 inches of snow.
Does Clinton get tornadoes?
23 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Clinton since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was an EF4 on December 10, 2021. The typical Kentucky town has had 19.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)