Hickman County

Hickman County, Kentucky — key demographics

Population size

• 2020 Census: 4,521
• 2023 population estimate: ~4,35o–4,40o (Census Population Estimates Program; small year-to-year changes typical for the county)

Age (ACS 2019–2023)

• Median age: ~45 years
• Under 18: ~21%
• 18–64: ~57–58%
• 65 and over: ~21–22%

Gender (ACS 2019–2023)

• Female: ~50%
• Male: ~50%

Racial/ethnic composition

• White alone, not Hispanic: ~85–87%
• Black or African American alone: ~9–10%
• Two or more races: ~2–4%
• Hispanic or Latino (any race): ~2–3%
• Other races (incl. American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, etc.): ~1% combined (2020 Census and ACS 2019–2023 patterns for small rural KY counties)

Households and families (ACS 2019–2023)

• Households: ~1,900–2,000
• Average household size: ~2.25–2.35
• Family households: ~64–67% of households
• Married-couple families: ~48–52% of households
• Households with children under 18: ~22–25%
• Nonfamily households: ~33–36%; living alone: ~30–32% (about 12–14% age 65+ living alone)
• Owner-occupied housing rate: ~78–82%

Insights

• Very small and aging population with a near 50/50 gender split
• Predominantly non-Hispanic White with a modest Black population and small but present multiracial/Hispanic shares
• Small household sizes, high share of owner-occupied units, and a notable proportion of older adults living alone

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Decennial Census; Population Estimates Program (2023); American Community Survey 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Figures rounded for clarity given ACS margins of error in small-population counties.

Modeled estimates using 2020 Census (pop 4,521) plus ACS/Pew adoption rates:

• Estimated email users: 2,800–2,900 residents (about 62–64% of the population; ~78–82% of adults).
• Age mix of email users: 13–17: ~6%; 18–34: ~24%; 35–54: ~33%; 55–64: ~18%; 65+: ~19%.
• Gender split: ~51% female, ~49% male (mirrors county population).
• Digital access: ~85% of households have a computer; ~72% have a fixed broadband subscription, with another ~10–12% relying primarily on smartphones. Email use is near-universal among connected adults (≈90%+), but adoption dips in 65+ and low-income households.
• Trends: Broadband subscriptions have risen gradually since 2020 as fiber and 5G expand; mobile-first email checking continues to grow, especially among younger adults and smartphone-only homes.
• Local density/connectivity: Population density ≈18 people per square mile and dispersed housing raise last‑mile costs, contributing to an availability–adoption gap of roughly 10–15 percentage points. Most populated areas near Clinton have better fixed options; the most rural western tracts show slower speeds and higher dependence on cellular data.

Mobile phone usage in Hickman County, Kentucky (2025 snapshot)

Headline takeaways

• Smaller, older, and more rural than Kentucky overall, Hickman County shows slightly lower smartphone penetration but higher reliance on mobile connections for home internet. Coverage is adequate on main corridors with more dead zones and lower midband 5G availability than state averages.

Population context (for sizing)

• Total residents (2025, modeled): ~4,400
• Adults (18+): ~3,450
• Households: ~1,900

Estimated user base

• Adults with any mobile phone: 93–95% → ~3,200–3,300 users
• Adults with a smartphone: 78–82% → ~2,700–2,850 users
• 5G-capable devices among smartphone users: 65–75% → ~1,800–2,100 users
• Prepaid share of lines: 35–40% (higher than Kentucky overall at ~25–30%)
• Mobile-only (wireless-only) households: 68–72% of households (slightly lower than Kentucky overall at ~72–76%)
• Households using mobile broadband or 5G fixed wireless as primary home internet: 12–18% (above Kentucky overall at ~8–12%)
• Average monthly mobile data per line: ~20–25 GB (vs. Kentucky ~16–20 GB), reflecting home-internet substitution

Demographic breakdown of smartphone ownership (modeled)

• By age
  • 18–34: 93–96% ownership; ~650–700 users
  • 35–64: 85–90% ownership; ~1,450–1,600 users
  • 65+: 60–65% ownership; ~600–700 users
  • Key difference vs. Kentucky: A larger 65+ share and slightly lower senior adoption pull overall penetration 3–6 points below state average.
• By income
  • Under $35k: ~70–80% smartphone ownership; higher prepaid use (≈45–55%)
  • $35–75k: ~85–90% smartphone ownership; prepaid (≈25–35%)
  • $75k+: ~95–98% smartphone ownership; prepaid (≈10–20%)
  • Key difference vs. Kentucky: A larger lower-income segment and credit constraints increase prepaid adoption and slow 5G device upgrades.
• By education
  • Lower bachelor’s attainment than the state correlates with modestly lower smartphone and 5G device adoption.
• By race/ethnicity
  • County is predominantly White; usage differences by race are not the primary driver. Geography, age, and income explain most variation.

Usage patterns

• Messaging and voice remain more prominent shares of total use than in metro Kentucky, with heavier reliance on Wi‑Fi calling in metal-roof and fringe-signal homes.
• Video streaming on mobile is common but often downshifted in resolution off Wi‑Fi due to variable speeds and data-conscious plans.
• Work-from-home and remote learning use cases lean on mobile hotspots and 5G home internet where fiber/cable are unavailable.

Digital infrastructure and performance

• Coverage
  • 4G LTE: Broad outdoor coverage across towns and primary roads; persistent dead zones in river bottoms, wooded hollows, and between towers.
  • 5G low-band: Present in and around Clinton and along main corridors; improves reach but not always speed.
  • 5G midband (C-band/2.5 GHz): Limited footprints; strongest along select highway segments and near existing macro sites.
• Capacity and speeds (typical user experience)
  • LTE/5G low-band: ~10–60 Mbps down, 2–10 Mbps up; variable latency.
  • 5G midband (where available): ~100–300 Mbps down, 10–30 Mbps up; more consistent latency.
  • Notable variance by carrier and micro-location; signal quality drops indoors without Wi‑Fi calling.
• Carriers and products
  • All three national carriers operate; AT&T and Verizon hold the bulk of legacy subscriptions; T‑Mobile adoption is growing via 5G fixed wireless availability.
  • AT&T FirstNet is the default for many public-safety and county services.
• Backhaul and build-out
  • Mix of fiber and microwave backhaul; spacing between rural towers increases load per site and contributes to congestion during peak hours.
  • Fiber-to-the-home and cable footprints are sparser than state averages, sustaining demand for mobile and 5G home internet.

How Hickman County differs from Kentucky overall

• Smartphone penetration: 3–6 points lower than the state due to older age structure and income mix.
• Prepaid usage: 8–12 points higher; device upgrade cycles are longer, slowing 5G-capable penetration.
• Mobile as primary home internet: 3–6 points higher given limited wireline options in parts of the county.
• 5G availability: Low-band is common; midband coverage is spottier and lags state rollouts concentrated in urban/suburban markets.
• Performance variability: Wider swings in speeds and reliability across short distances; heavier reliance on Wi‑Fi calling indoors.

Method and sources (modeled, 2025)

• Estimates synthesize county demographics (U.S. Census/ACS 2023), statewide wireless adoption baselines (Pew Research and industry surveys, 2023–2024), and rural vs. urban usage differentials observed in FCC coverage data and market reporting. Figures are rounded to convey realistic precision and emphasize differences from Kentucky’s statewide profile.

Hickman County, KY — social media usage snapshot (2025)

Scope and method

• Figures are modeled local estimates using 2024 Pew Research Center platform adoption, adjusted for rural usage patterns and the county’s older age profile, anchored to U.S. Census/ACS population structure. They reflect likely adult usage in Hickman County and are suitable for planning when county-level platform data are unavailable.

Population and connectivity

• Population: ~4,500 residents; small, rural, older-leaning age mix.
• Internet access: Most households have internet, with home broadband below the U.S. average; smartphone access is high (roughly 85–90% of adults, in line with Pew’s rural findings).

User stats

• Adults using at least one social platform: 66–70% of adults (≈2,400–2,700 people).
• Teen (13–17) social users: high penetration (>85%) but a small share of total users due to population size.

Most-used platforms (share of adults in the county; best estimates)

• YouTube: 75–80%
• Facebook: 60–65%
• Instagram: 30–35%
• Pinterest: 28–32% (skews female)
• TikTok: 20–28% (strong among <30)
• Snapchat: 18–22% (concentrated <30)
• X (Twitter): 15–20% (news/sports, male-skewed)
• LinkedIn: 10–15% (limited by rural/industry mix) Note: Shares are of all adults; YouTube and Facebook are the only true mass-reach platforms locally.

Age-group patterns (localized from Pew 2024)

• 18–29: Any social 90–95%; YouTube ~95%; Instagram 75–85%; Snapchat 65–75%; TikTok 60–70%; Facebook ~60%.
• 30–49: Any social 84–88%; YouTube ~88–90%; Facebook 73–78%; Instagram 48–55%; TikTok 28–35%; Snapchat 25–30%.
• 50–64: Any social 73–78%; Facebook 70–75%; YouTube 70–78%; Instagram 27–33%; TikTok 15–20%.
• 65+: Any social 50–55%; Facebook 48–55%; YouTube 55–60%; Instagram 15–20%; TikTok 7–10%.

Gender breakdown

• County population is roughly balanced by sex; social media users skew slightly female overall because Facebook and Pinterest over-index female, while YouTube, X, and Reddit over-index male. Practical split among local social users: ~52% female, ~48% male.

Behavioral trends observed in rural Kentucky counties like Hickman

• Facebook is the community hub: school updates, local government, churches, emergency/weather notices, youth sports, yard sales, and Marketplace dominate engagement. Facebook Groups and Messenger drive most local coordination and responses to calls-to-action.
• YouTube is the primary video channel: how‑to/home repair, farm and equipment maintenance, hunting/fishing, local church services, and regional news/weather. Long-form utility content performs best; live streams around community events see spikes.
• Short‑form video is growing among teens and younger adults: TikTok first, with cross‑posting to Instagram Reels; discovery skews entertainment, sports clips, and local highlights.
• Commerce and services: strong response to promotions for local food, auto/home services, healthcare clinics, and seasonal events. Marketplace and “message to buy/book” outperform link‑outs.
• Timing and devices: mobile-first; peak engagement evenings (7–10 pm CT) and weekends; weather events and school sports nights cause surges. Older users engage more with posts that include phone numbers and plain-language directions.
• Content styles that travel: photos of known places/people, school/team highlights, church/community calendars, severe-weather updates, and practical how‑to videos. Giveaways and fundraisers see high share rates if tied to local causes.

Key takeaways

• For reach, prioritize Facebook and YouTube; add Instagram for 18–39 reach and TikTok for teens/20s.
• Use Facebook Groups/Pages plus Messenger CTAs for community response; use YouTube for durable utility content and event streams.
• Lean into local faces and places, clear CTAs (call/message), and evening/weekend posting to match real usage.

Sources

• Pew Research Center, Social Media Use in 2024 (platform adoption by age/region; smartphone ownership)
• U.S. Census Bureau/ACS (population structure; rural broadband context)