1st Advantage MortgageIn Hickman County, Kentucky, the typical household earns $60,867 a year and the typical rent is $718. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Hickman County
- Renting and owning in Hickman County
- Paychecks and income spread in Hickman County
- Employment and commuting in Hickman County
- Hickman County next to its neighbors
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Hickman County
- What a median Hickman County budget can carry
- Who lives in Hickman County, in numbers
- What the numbers mean for Hickman County borrowers
- Checking a lender's license in Kentucky
- Before you sign
- More guides for Hickman County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Hickman County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Hickman County's population at 4,439; only 117 of Kentucky's 120 county-level areas are larger. It covers 242 square miles of land, or about 18 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Hickman County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 2 places in the county (2 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Clinton, with about 1,165 residents, or 26% of the county. With so few households sampled, Hickman County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Renting and owning in Hickman County
A typical Hickman County rental runs $718 a month including utilities, which is 26% below Kentucky. By the Census definition, 24% of Hickman County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $115,700, about 1.9 times the median household income. 71% of Hickman County households own their home and 29% rent.
| Housing | Hickman County | Kentucky statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $718/mo | $967/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $115,700 | $205,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 24% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 23% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 20% | 10% | n/a |
Paychecks and income spread in Hickman County
Half of Hickman County households take in less than $60,867 a year and half take in more, 4% below the Kentucky median of $63,726.
| Band | Hickman County | Compared with Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.9% | +5.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.3% | +5.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 11.7% | -11.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.0% | +0.8 pts |
About 33% of households earn under $35,000, while 20% clear $100,000. Census counts 20.5% of Hickman County residents in poverty, against 16.1% across Kentucky. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Hickman County median.
Employment and commuting in Hickman County
Manufacturing employs 20% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 17%. Compared with Kentucky, the county leans toward manufacturing (20% against 14%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.1% in Hickman County. 10% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home. 5.8% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Hickman County share | +/- vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 20.5% | +6.1 pts |
| Education and health care | 17.4% | -6.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.3% | +2.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.6% | +1.6 pts |
| Construction | 7.1% | +0.8 pts |
| Other services | 7.1% | +2.5 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Hickman County next to its neighbors
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Hickman County's, from 13 to 26 miles away. Income ranges from $38,217 in Fulton County to $66,164 in Ballard County; 2 of these neighbors top Hickman County's median. Some neighbors are in Missouri and Tennessee. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Hickman County resident follows Kentucky rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hickman County | - | $60,867 | $718/mo | 71% |
| Carlisle County, KY | 13 mi | $62,439 | $792/mo | 80% |
| Fulton County, KY | 15 mi | $38,217 | $570/mo | 62% |
| Graves County, KY | 18 mi | $50,772 | $775/mo | 76% |
| Mississippi County, MO | 21 mi | $48,160 | $762/mo | 63% |
| Obion County, TN | 24 mi | $54,613 | $770/mo | 68% |
| Ballard County, KY | 26 mi | $66,164 | $817/mo | 76% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Hickman County
Here are the 2 most populous of the county's 2 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 31% of Hickman County residents live in one of the 2. Live in one of these Hickman County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton | city | 1,165 | $34,464 | $653 | 1 mi |
| Columbus | city | 223 | $34,706 | n/a | 9 mi |
What a median Hickman County budget can carry
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Hickman County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,072 before taxes
- Median rent: $718, or 14 cents of every gross dollar
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,108 a month
- Under a 43% cap, $2,181 total minus rent leaves $1,463
If your rent is above $718, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Who lives in Hickman County, in numbers
15% of Hickman County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 8.6% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Hickman County | All of Kentucky | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.2 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.1% | 27.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.4% | 11.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.6% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.8% | 6.8% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.1% | 10.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 20.5% | 16.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.1% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Hickman County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 38.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.7% |
| 60+ min | 5.0% |
What the numbers mean for Hickman County borrowers
Based on the Hickman County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Manufactured homes. 16% of Hickman County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Fixed incomes. Hickman County's median age is 45.2. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Free help first. 20% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
Checking a lender's license in Kentucky
The Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Kentucky license. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: Kentucky guide.
Before you sign
Quick steps for Hickman County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Kentucky borrowers.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
More guides for Hickman County
The Kentucky guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Hickman County?
$60,867 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $63,726 for Kentucky. It ranks 46th of 120 in the state.
How does Hickman County rent compare with Kentucky?
$718 locally versus $967 for the state, 26% below.
I live in a small Hickman County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Clinton, Columbus.
Are Hickman County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Who regulates personal lenders for Hickman County residents?
The Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions licenses consumer lenders in Kentucky; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.