The Town FilesHickman, Kentucky
City in Fulton County · population 2,365 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $70,800
- Household income
- $34,653
- Jan low / Jul high
- 27° / 87°
- Snow a year
- 5 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 28
- Median age
- 40.5
Hickman is a city of 2,365 people in Fulton County, Kentucky. The median home is worth $70,800, below the typical Kentucky town ($161,450). It ranks better for retirees than 97% of Kentucky towns, quieter than 97% of Kentucky towns, better for first-time buyers than 87% of Kentucky towns.
- #3 in The 25 Best Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Kentucky With Mild Winters
- #5 in The 25 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Kentucky
- #10 in The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Kentucky
- #10 in The 25 Quietest Small Towns in Kentucky
- #20 in 25 Small Towns in Kentucky With the Cheapest Homes
How Hickman 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 Hickman is worth $70,800, below the typical Kentucky town ($161,450). Homes cost about 2.0 times the median household income of $34,653, which is more affordable than 90% of Kentucky towns. Median rent is $417 a month. 51.4% of households own their home.
| Housing | Hickman | Typical Kentucky town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $70,800 | $161,450 |
| Median rent | $417 | $837 |
| Median household income | $34,653 | $54,969 |
| Home value ÷ income | 2.0× | 3.0× |
| Homeownership | 51.4% | 63.5% |
| Median year built | 1972 | 1974 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 0.0% | — |
Who lives in Hickman
| People | Hickman | Typical Kentucky town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.5 | 39.1 |
| Age 65 and over | 14.5% | 18.1% |
| Under 18 | 16.2% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.8% | 19.8% |
| Below the poverty line | 31.6% | 18.0% |
| Veterans | 3.3% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 0.4% | — |
| Work from home | 4.4% | 7.5% |
| Average commute | 16.5 min | 22.2 min |
| Homes with broadband | 79.6% | 88.6% |
Weather in Hickman
July highs average 87.0°F and January lows 26.5°F. About 53.2 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 5.0 inches of snow (typical Kentucky town: 9.4 in). Expect about 39 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 89 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
28 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Hickman since 1950, compared with 19 for the typical Kentucky town. 9 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an EF4, struck on December 10, 2021 about 6.2 miles from the town center and killed 1. Tornadoes within 10 miles have caused 1 deaths and 6 injuries since 1950. The most recent was on November 18, 2025.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 18 times; the largest was 1.75 inches on December 10, 2021.
Severe weather in Fulton County since 1996
Fulton County has been included in 26 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 16, 2025 | Severe Storm | EM-3624: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, And Landslides |
| July 23, 2024 | Severe Storm | DR-4804: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Landslides, And Mudslides |
Jobs and pay in Fulton County
Fulton County had 2,262 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $42,101 a year. Unemployment was 5% in 2023; in Hickman itself the ACS puts it at 9%.
Public schools in Hickman
4 public schools with 613 students, about 12.5 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulton County Elementary | PK-5 | 310 | 11.9 |
| Fulton County High School | 9-12 | 172 | 12.3 |
| Fulton County Middle School | 6-8 | 131 | 14.6 |
| Four Rivers Career Academy | 8-12 | — | — |
Towns near Hickman
- Union City, TN12.3 mi · 11,170 people · home $146,000
- Clinton, KY12.6 mi · 1,222 people · home $67,100
- Troy, TN15.6 mi · 1,423 people · home $114,800
- Fulton, KY17.1 mi · 2,357 people · home $56,300
- Hornbeak, TN17.2 mi · 511 people · home $94,300
- South Fulton, TN17.4 mi · 2,245 people · home $83,400
- East Prairie, MO18.4 mi · 2,943 people · home $68,400
- New Madrid, MO20.4 mi · 2,787 people · home $127,500
Hickman questions
Is Hickman, Kentucky a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Hickman scores better for retirees than 97% of Kentucky towns and quieter than 97%. 14.5% of residents are 65 or older (median age 40.5).
How much does a house cost in Hickman?
The median owner-occupied home in Hickman is valued at $70,800 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $34,653, so homes cost about 2.0 times income. Median rent is $417 a month.
What is the weather like in Hickman?
July highs average 87.0°F and January lows 26.5°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 53.2 inches of precipitation a year and 5.0 inches of snow.
Does Hickman get tornadoes?
28 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Hickman 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)