Carlisle County is a county in Kentucky, United States, in the Jackson Purchase region on the east bank of the Mississippi River. It had a population of 4,826 at the 2020 census and covers 199 square miles (520 km2) centred near 36°51′N 88°59′W.
Bardwell is the county seat, and its postal code is 42023. The county has two incorporated cities, one census-designated place, and several unincorporated communities. Carlisle County sits in the Central time zone and remains a dry (prohibition) county.
Towns & Villages in Carlisle County
Carlisle County’s population is split between two small cities and a scatter of unincorporated crossroads communities. Bardwell and Arlington are the only incorporated places; Cunningham is a census-designated place (CDP); everything else below is unincorporated (Unincorp.).
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bardwell | City · seat | — | 42023 |
| Arlington | City | — | 42021 |
| Cunningham | CDP | — | — |
| Milburn | Unincorp. | — | 42059 |
| Geveden | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Yellow Dog Road | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Berkley | Unincorp. | — | — |
| California Hills | Unincorp. | — | — |
| East Hopewell | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Kirbyton | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Laketon | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Magee Springs | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Scotts Corner | Unincorp. | — | — |
| West Hopewell | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Wilson | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Winford | Unincorp. | — | — |
East Hopewell and West Hopewell are two halves of the same rural Hopewell community, split by the road that separates them — both are kept here as they appear as distinct points in the county’s place-name record.
ZIP Codes
- 42023 — Bardwell (also serves the western half of the county)
- 42021 — Arlington (also serves the eastern half of the county toward the McCracken County line)
- 42059 — Milburn (also serves nearby unincorporated crossroads)
Cunningham and the county’s smaller unincorporated places use Bardwell or Arlington mail routes rather than a ZIP code of their own.
Geography
Carlisle County lies in the Jackson Purchase, Kentucky’s westernmost region, a flat to gently rolling plain of farmland cut by small creeks draining toward the Mississippi River, which forms the county’s entire western border. The terrain rises slightly toward the east away from the river bottoms.
Ballard County lies to the north, McCracken County to the northeast, Graves County to the east, and Hickman County to the south. Across the Mississippi River to the west lies Mississippi County, Missouri.
Demographics
Carlisle County had 4,826 residents at the 2020 census, making it one of Kentucky’s least populous counties. Bardwell, the county seat, and Arlington are its two largest communities. The county’s median household income runs well below the Kentucky median of $61,118, reflecting its small, mostly rural and agricultural tax base. Population density is roughly 26 people per square mile, and the county is entirely classified as rural.
Economy & Local Life
Row-crop farming — corn, soybeans, and wheat — anchors Carlisle County’s economy, supplemented by grain elevators and farm-service businesses along US 51 and KY 123. In February 2026, Green Energy Parks announced plans for a $142 million agricultural waste-to-energy facility near Arlington, projected to add about 20 jobs. Carlisle County is part of the Paducah, KY-IL metropolitan statistical area, and many residents commute northeast to Paducah for retail, healthcare, and manufacturing work.
History
Carlisle County was formed in 1886 from parts of Ballard and Hickman counties and named for John Griffin Carlisle, a Kentucky congressman who served as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Bardwell was chosen as the county seat. The county has remained dry (alcohol prohibition) since its founding, one of a shrinking number of Kentucky counties to do so.
Getting There
U.S. Route 51 runs north–south through Bardwell and Arlington, linking the county to Paducah to the northeast and the Mississippi River bridge crossing to Missouri to the south.
- Paducah, Kentucky — about 20 miles northeast
- Mayfield, Kentucky — about 25 miles east
- Columbus, Kentucky (Hickman County) — about 10 miles south
- Cairo, Illinois — about 20 miles northwest
The nearest commercial airport is Barkley Regional Airport (PAH) in Paducah.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Carlisle County, Kentucky?
It sits in the Jackson Purchase region of far western Kentucky, on the east bank of the Mississippi River, roughly 20 miles southwest of Paducah.
What is the population of Carlisle County?
4,826 residents at the 2020 census, one of the least populous counties in Kentucky.
How big is Carlisle County?
199 square miles (520 km2), of which about 9.5 square miles is water along the Mississippi River.
What is the county seat of Carlisle County?
Bardwell is the county seat.
How many towns are in Carlisle County?
Two incorporated cities (Bardwell and Arlington), one census-designated place (Cunningham), and about a dozen unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Carlisle County?
42023 (Bardwell), 42021 (Arlington), and 42059 (Milburn).
Is Carlisle County a dry county?
Yes. Carlisle County has been dry (alcohol prohibition) since it was founded in 1886.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Kentucky.