Hickman County is a county in Kentucky, United States, on the Mississippi River in the state’s far southwest corner. It had a population of 4,521 at the 2020 census and covers 253 square miles (660 km2), of which 242 square miles are land and 11 square miles are water, centred near 36°41′N 88°59′W.
Clinton is the county seat and its postal code is 42031. The county has 2 incorporated cities and several unincorporated communities, no civil townships, runs on Central time, and is one of Kentucky’s dry counties, where alcohol sales are prohibited.
Towns & Villages in Hickman County
Hickman County has 2 incorporated cities and a handful of small unincorporated communities scattered across its rural, riverside landscape. The table below marks incorporated places against the smaller CDPs and unincorporated crossroads.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton | City · seat | — | 42031 |
| Columbus | City | — | 42032 |
| Bugg | Unincorp. | — | 42031 |
| Hailwell | Unincorp. | — | 42031 |
| Moscow | Unincorp. | — | 42031 |
| New Cypress | Unincorp. | — | 42031 |
| Oakton | Unincorp. | — | 42031 |
The old list also carried Beelerton, Beulah, Bluff, Burgess, East Beelerton, Enon, Fulgham, Nichols, Old Cypress, Scott, South Columbus, Spring Hill, Tar Heel and Whaynes Corner as separate places; these are historic crossroads and rural localities without independent confirmation in current gazetteer sources, so they are omitted here rather than published unverified (see notes.md).
ZIP Codes
- 42031 — Clinton (also serves Bugg, Hailwell, Moscow, New Cypress and Oakton)
- 42032 — Columbus
The county’s two ZIP codes account for essentially the entire population; smaller communities use the nearest post office’s code.
Geography
Hickman County sits at Kentucky’s southwestern tip, bounded on the west by the Mississippi River, which separates it from Missouri. The terrain is a mix of river bottomland along the Mississippi and gently rolling upland farmland further east. It borders Carlisle County to the north, Graves County to the east, Weakley County and Obion County, Tennessee to the southeast, Fulton County to the south, and Mississippi County, Missouri across the river to the west.
Demographics
At the 2020 census, Hickman County had 4,521 residents, making it the third-least populous county in Kentucky. Clinton and Columbus are the two largest communities. Household income runs well below the Kentucky median of $61,118, consistent with the county’s rural, agriculture-dependent economy. With 242 square miles of land, the county’s density is under 19 people per square mile, the lowest of any Kentucky county.
Economy & Local Life
Row-crop farming — corn, soybeans and wheat — dominates the local economy, supported by grain elevators and farm-service businesses along US 51 and KY 123. The county’s dry-county status shapes local commerce, with residents crossing county lines for alcohol sales. Riverboat traffic on the Mississippi at Columbus, once the county’s main commercial artery, has given way to highway freight, though barge terminals remain active nearby.
History
Hickman County was formed in 1821 as Kentucky’s 71st county, carved from Fulton and Graves Counties. It was named for Captain Paschal Hickman of the 1st Rifle Regiment, Kentucky Militia, a Franklin County native who was wounded and captured at the Battle of Frenchtown in January 1813 and killed shortly after in the Massacre of the River Raisin. Columbus, on the Mississippi bluffs, briefly served as a Confederate stronghold known as the “Gibraltar of the West” during the Civil War before Union forces took the position in 1862.
Getting There
US Route 51 and Kentucky Route 123 are the county’s main highways, linking Clinton to neighboring county seats.
- Union City, Tennessee — 20 miles southeast
- Mayfield, Kentucky — 25 miles east
- Cairo, Illinois — 30 miles north
- Paducah, Kentucky — 45 miles northeast
The nearest commercial airport is Barkley Regional Airport in Paducah.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hickman County, Kentucky?
It is in Kentucky’s far southwestern corner, on the Mississippi River across from Missouri.
What is the population of Hickman County?
4,521 people at the 2020 census, the third-lowest of any Kentucky county.
How big is Hickman County?
253 square miles (660 km2), of which 242 square miles are land.
What is the county seat of Hickman County?
Clinton is the county seat.
How many towns are in Hickman County?
Two incorporated cities, Clinton and Columbus, plus several small unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Hickman County?
42031 (Clinton) and 42032 (Columbus).
Is Hickman County a dry county?
Yes, alcohol sales are prohibited countywide.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Kentucky.