The Town FilesSouth Fulton, Tennessee
City in Obion County · population 2,245 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $83,400
- Household income
- $43,942
- Jan low / Jul high
- 27° / 90°
- Snow a year
- 4 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 34
- Median age
- 38.5
South Fulton is a city of 2,245 people in Obion County, Tennessee. The median home is worth $83,400, below the typical Tennessee town ($204,650). It ranks better for first-time buyers than 95% of Tennessee towns, easier by car than 80% of Tennessee towns, quieter than 79% of Tennessee towns.
- #7 in 25 Small Towns in Tennessee With the Cheapest Homes
- #12 in The 25 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Tennessee
- #13 in The 25 Most Affordable Small Towns in Tennessee
- #19 in The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Tennessee
- #23 in The 25 Best Small Towns for Young Families in Tennessee
How South Fulton ranks
Percentile among Tennessee towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Tennessee towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in South Fulton is worth $83,400, below the typical Tennessee town ($204,650). Homes cost about 1.9 times the median household income of $43,942, which is more affordable than 97% of Tennessee towns. Median rent is $790 a month. 54.8% of households own their home.
| Housing | South Fulton | Typical Tennessee town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $83,400 | $204,650 |
| Median rent | $790 | $863 |
| Median household income | $43,942 | $57,917 |
| Home value ÷ income | 1.9× | 3.7× |
| Homeownership | 54.8% | 69.7% |
| Median year built | 1968 | 1980 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 0.0% | — |
Who lives in South Fulton
| People | South Fulton | Typical Tennessee town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.5 | 40.8 |
| Age 65 and over | 17.7% | 18.4% |
| Under 18 | 27.8% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 18.2% |
| Below the poverty line | 29.2% | 14.2% |
| Veterans | 7.1% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 0.3% | — |
| Work from home | 1.1% | 8.2% |
| Average commute | 17.8 min | 25.9 min |
| Homes with broadband | 86.5% | 88.2% |
Weather in South Fulton
July highs average 89.8°F and January lows 26.5°F. About 54.7 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 3.8 inches of snow (typical Tennessee town: 3.5 in). Expect about 59 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 82 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
34 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of South Fulton since 1950, compared with 16 for the typical Tennessee town. 12 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an EF4, struck on December 10, 2021 about 8.0 miles from the town center and killed 1. Tornadoes within 10 miles have caused 1 deaths and 23 injuries since 1950. The most recent was on November 18, 2025.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 22 times; the largest was 3.00 inches on July 15, 1971.
Severe weather in Obion County since 1996
Obion County has been included in 22 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, tornado, hurricane.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| February 6, 2026 | Winter Storm | DR-4898: Severe Winter Storm |
| January 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | EM-3635: Severe Winter Storm |
| June 19, 2025 | Severe Storm | DR-4878: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding |
| April 2, 2025 | Severe Storm | EM-3625: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding |
| May 17, 2023 | Severe Storm | DR-4712: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, And Tornado |
Jobs and pay in Obion County
Obion County had 12,200 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $47,932 a year. Unemployment was 3.8% in 2023; in South Fulton itself the ACS puts it at 3.2%.
Public schools in South Fulton
2 public schools with 643 students, about 11.5 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Fulton Middle / High School | 6-12 | 328 | 10.6 |
| South Fulton Elementary | PK-5 | 315 | 12.6 |
Towns near South Fulton
- Fulton, KY1.5 mi · 2,357 people · home $56,300
- Union City, TN10.2 mi · 11,170 people · home $146,000
- Martin, TN10.9 mi · 10,825 people · home $198,300
- Wingo, KY12.9 mi · 573 people · home $117,200
- Clinton, KY13.4 mi · 1,222 people · home $67,100
- Hickman, KY17.4 mi · 2,365 people · home $70,800
- Dresden, TN18.0 mi · 3,019 people · home $126,900
- Sharon, TN18.1 mi · 935 people · home $99,400
South Fulton questions
Is South Fulton, Tennessee a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, South Fulton scores better for retirees than 77% of Tennessee towns and quieter than 79%. 17.7% of residents are 65 or older (median age 38.5).
How much does a house cost in South Fulton?
The median owner-occupied home in South Fulton is valued at $83,400 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $43,942, so homes cost about 1.9 times income. Median rent is $790 a month.
What is the weather like in South Fulton?
July highs average 89.8°F and January lows 26.5°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 54.7 inches of precipitation a year and 3.8 inches of snow.
Does South Fulton get tornadoes?
34 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of South Fulton since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was an EF4 on December 10, 2021. The typical Tennessee town has had 16.
- 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)