Fulton County, Kentucky

County in Kentucky, United States

County in Kentucky

Fulton County

County

Fulton County Courthouse in Hickman

Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky

Kentucky's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 36°33′N 89°11′W﻿ / ﻿36.55°N 89.19°W﻿ / 36.55; -89.19
Country|  United States
State|  Kentucky
Founded| 1845
Named after| Robert Fulton
Seat| Hickman
Largest city| Hickman
Area

• Total

| 231 sq mi (600 km2)
• Land| 206 sq mi (530 km2)
• Water| 25 sq mi (60 km2)  11%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 6,515

• Estimate

(2024)

| 6,282
• Density| 28/sq mi (11/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 1st
Website| fultoncounty.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx

Fulton County is the westernmost county in the U.S. state of Kentucky, with the Mississippi River forming its western boundary. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,515.[1] Its county seat and largest city is Hickman. The county was formed in 1845 from Hickman County, Kentucky and named for Robert Fulton, the inventor of the steamboat.[2][3]

Allied with Tennessee by trade and culture, white Fulton County residents were largely pro-Confederate during the American Civil War. Forces from both armies passed through the county during different periods of the conflict.[4] Because of imprecise early surveying of Kentucky's southern border, Fulton County is divided into two non-contiguous parts. An exclave on the peninsula in the Kentucky Bend of the Mississippi River can be reached only by road through Tennessee.

Kentucky Bend and surrounding area

Missouri (MO)

Tennessee (TN)

Kentucky (KY)

## History

[edit]

The rural county was not organized until 1845, from a portion of Hickman County. It was named for Robert Fulton, inventor of the steamboat. Hickman, Kentucky was designated as the county seat. The county was developed for agriculture, which was originally dependent on slave labor. Area farmers had ties to Tennessee planters, and shipped produce down the Mississippi River, which formed the county's western border. They supported the Confederacy, while Kentucky maintained official neutrality as a Border State.

During the post-Reconstruction period, there was considerable racial violence by whites against blacks in Fulton County; they exercised terrorism to re-establish and maintain white supremacy. Whites lynched 20 African Americans here from 1877 to 1950; most were killed around the turn of the 20th century. This was by far the highest total of any county in the state, more than ten times the total in many other counties.[5] Five men were lynched from 1883 to 1917, for alleged rape, assault, barn burning, and robbery and murder.[6]

After the Civil War, some African Americans became landowners in the county. A notably egregious lynching was that on October 3, 1908, in Hickman of David Walker and his entire family by 50 Night Riders. This may have been part of anarchic violence that was directed at blacks arising from the "Reelfoot Lake Uprising", but it also appeared that whites coveted Walker's land. Walker and his wife, an infant in arms, and three children were shot multiple times; the eldest son burned to death in their farmhouse; seven in total were killed on the night of October 3, 1908, in Hickman. Walker owned a 21 1/2 acre farm; his white neighbor took it over after the killings, and later sold it to another white man. One of the latter's descendants continues to own the rural land.[7]

On December 16, 1918, Private Charles Lewis, a veteran of World War I, was lynched at Tyler Station. Private Lewis was accused of robbery and while he was held in the local jail, a group of masked men forced their way into the jail, smashed the locks with a sledgehammer, then took him outside and hanged him from a tree.[8]

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 231 square miles (600 km2), of which 206 square miles (530 km2) is land and 25 square miles (65 km2) (11%) is water.[9]

About 11 square miles (28 km2) of the county is separated in a peninsula from the rest of the state by an oxbow of the Mississippi River, known as the Kentucky Bend or New Madrid Bend, after the city in Missouri on the north side of the river. Travelers going there have to pass into Tennessee by road (there is no bridge from Missouri) and then go north to reach the Kentucky Bend exclave. The lowest point in the state of Kentucky is located on the Mississippi River in Kentucky Bend in Fulton County, where it flows past Kentucky and between Tennessee and Missouri. It is expected that over time, the river will cut across the short neck of the peninsula, cutting it off entirely from Kentucky, with land gradually filling in behind it to connect it to Missouri.

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Mississippi County, Missouri (northwest)
* Hickman County (northeast)
* Obion County, Tennessee (south)
* Lake County, Tennessee (southwest)
* New Madrid County, Missouri (west)

### National protected area

[edit]

* Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge (part)

### Major highways

[edit]

* US 45
* US 51
* KY 58
* KY 94
* KY 116
* KY 123
* KY 125
* KY 166
* KY 239
* KY 307
* KY 781
* KY 924
* KY 1529

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1850| 4,446| | —
1860| 5,317| | 19.6%
1870| 6,161| | 15.9%
1880| 7,977| | 29.5%
1890| 10,005| | 25.4%
1900| 11,546| | 15.4%
1910| 14,114| | 22.2%
1920| 15,197| | 7.7%
1930| 14,927| | −1.8%
1940| 15,413| | 3.3%
1950| 13,668| | −11.3%
1960| 11,256| | −17.6%
1970| 10,183| | −9.5%
1980| 8,971| | −11.9%
1990| 8,271| | −7.8%
2000| 7,752| | −6.3%
2010| 6,813| | −12.1%
2020| 6,515| | −4.4%
2024 (est.)| 6,282| [10]| −3.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13]
1990-2000[14] 2010-2021[15]

### 2020 census

[edit]

Fulton County Racial Composition[16] Race  | Num.  | Perc.

|
|

White | 4,566  | 70.08%
Black or African American | 1,433  | 22.0%
Native American | 13  | 0.2%
Asian | 17  | 0.26%
Pacific Islander | 11  | 0.17%
Other/Mixed | 324  | 4.97%
Hispanic or Latino | 151  | 2.32%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 6,515 people, 2,441 households, and 1,425 families residing in the county.

### 2000 census

[edit]

As of the census[17] of 2000, there were 7,752 people, 3,237 households, and 2,113 families residing in the county. The population density was 37 per square mile (14/km2). There were 3,697 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile (6.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 75.12% White, 23.19% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.32% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. 0.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,237 households, out of which 29.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.40% were married couples living together, 18.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.70% were non-families. 32.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.90% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $24,382, and the median income for a family was $30,788. Males had a median income of $26,401 versus $19,549 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,309. About 20.10% of families and 23.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.30% of those under age 18 and 16.00% of those age 65 or over.

## Politics

[edit]

United States presidential election results for Fulton County, Kentucky[18] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2024 | 1,491  | 69.51% | 636  | 29.65%  | 18  | 0.84%
2020 | 1,606  | 66.20% | 794  | 32.73%  | 26  | 1.07%
2016 | 1,549  | 65.03% | 774  | 32.49%  | 59  | 2.48%
2012 | 1,425  | 57.44% | 1,022  | 41.19%  | 34  | 1.37%
2008 | 1,530  | 54.16% | 1,238  | 43.82%  | 57  | 2.02%
2004 | 1,527  | 52.84% | 1,340  | 46.37%  | 23  | 0.80%
2000 | 1,293  | 46.38%  | 1,452  | 52.08% | 43  | 1.54%
1996 | 863  | 31.85%  | 1,614  | 59.56% | 233  | 8.60%
1992 | 1,073  | 33.49%  | 1,813  | 56.59% | 318  | 9.93%
1988 | 1,474  | 48.87%  | 1,531  | 50.76% | 11  | 0.36%
1984 | 1,780  | 53.45% | 1,534  | 46.07%  | 16  | 0.48%
1980 | 1,462  | 41.22%  | 2,016  | 56.84% | 69  | 1.95%
1976 | 1,060  | 30.55%  | 2,370  | 68.30% | 40  | 1.15%
1972 | 1,807  | 61.32% | 1,024  | 34.75%  | 116  | 3.94%
1968 | 1,079  | 28.26%  | 1,204  | 31.53%  | 1,535  | 40.20%
1964 | 1,169  | 31.84%  | 2,493  | 67.89% | 10  | 0.27%
1960 | 1,567  | 36.65%  | 2,708  | 63.35% | 0  | 0.00%
1956 | 1,147  | 27.79%  | 2,953  | 71.54% | 28  | 0.68%
1952 | 1,266  | 32.12%  | 2,673  | 67.81% | 3  | 0.08%
1948 | 450  | 13.75%  | 2,497  | 76.29% | 326  | 9.96%
1944 | 654  | 17.97%  | 2,973  | 81.68% | 13  | 0.36%
1940 | 791  | 18.01%  | 3,592  | 81.79% | 9  | 0.20%
1936 | 782  | 17.28%  | 3,727  | 82.35% | 17  | 0.38%
1932 | 837  | 17.28%  | 3,985  | 82.25% | 23  | 0.47%
1928 | 1,366  | 30.34%  | 3,132  | 69.55% | 5  | 0.11%
1924 | 902  | 20.96%  | 3,336  | 77.53% | 65  | 1.51%
1920 | 1,365  | 26.05%  | 3,843  | 73.35% | 31  | 0.59%
1916 | 747  | 24.97%  | 2,200  | 73.53% | 45  | 1.50%
1912 | 520  | 22.82%  | 1,609  | 70.60% | 150  | 6.58%

Fulton County was a Democratic stronghold for most of its history and was one of the few Kentucky counties carried by Al Gore in 2000. Since then, however, it has swung sharply towards the Republican Party.

### Elected officials

[edit]

Elected officials as of January 3, 2025[19][20]

U.S. House | James Comer (R)  | KY 1
Ky. Senate | Jason Howell (R)  | 1
Ky. House | Steven Rudy (R)  | 1

## Education

[edit]

* Fulton County School District
* Fulton Independent Schools

## Media

[edit]

* WENK-AM 1240 "The Greatest Hits of All Time"
* WWGY 99.3 "Today's Best Music with Ace & TJ in the Morning"

## Communities

[edit]

### Cities

[edit]

* Fulton
* Hickman (county seat)

### Census-designated place

[edit]

* Cayce

### Other unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Bondurant
* Brownsville
* Crutchfield
* Jordan
* Kentucky Bend
* Mabel
* Miller
* Riceville
* Sassafras Ridge
* State Line
* Tyler

## See also

[edit]

* United States portal

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Fulton County, Kentucky

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Fulton County, Kentucky". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
2. ^ The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1. Kentucky State Historical Society. 1903. pp. 35.
3. ^ Hogan, Roseann Reinemuth (1992). Kentucky Ancestry: A Guide to Genealogical and Historical Research. Ancestry Publishing. p. 235\. ISBN 9780916489496. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
4. ^ "Fulton County, Kentucky Genealogy, Facts, Records & Links". Genealogyinc.com. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
5. ^ Lynching in America/ Supplement: Lynchings by County[permanent dead link], 3rd Edition, 2015, p.5
6. ^ Rob Gallagher & Lori DeWinkler, "Kentucky Lynchings 1882 -1921", Genealogy Trails, 2018
7. ^ Lewan, Todd & Barclay, Dolores. Associated Press, "Property Swindles Victimized Blacks: Torn From The Land." Online Athens, December 23, 2001. http://onlineathens.com/stories/122301/new_1223010092.shtml#.V85WfZgrLIU
8. ^ Williams, Chad L. (2010). Torchbearers of Democracy: African American Soldiers in the World War I Era. University of North Carolina Press. ISBN 978-0-8078-9935-9.
9. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
10. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
11. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
12. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
13. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
14. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
15. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
16. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
17. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
18. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
19. ^ "Senate Members - County". apps.legislature.ky.gov. Kentucky General Assembly. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
20. ^ "House Members - County". apps.legislature.ky.gov. Kentucky General Assembly. Retrieved January 3, 2025.

## Further reading

[edit]

* L. Otley Pindar, "List of the Birds of Fulton County, Kentucky," The Auk, vol. 6 (1889), pp. 310–316.

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Fulton County, Kentucky, United States

County seat: Hickman

Cities|

* Fulton
* Hickman

CDP|

* Cayce

Other unincorporated
communities|

* Bondurant
* Brownsville
* Crutchfield
* Jordan
* Mabel
* Miller
* Riceville
* Sassafras Ridge
* State Line
* Tyler

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* Kentucky portal
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36°33′N 89°11′W﻿ / ﻿36.55°N 89.19°W﻿ / 36.55; -89.19

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