# Fulton, Kentucky

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**Fulton** is a [home rule-class city](/source/List_of_cities_in_Kentucky) in [Fulton County](/source/Fulton_County,_Kentucky), [Kentucky](/source/Kentucky), United States. The population was 2,357 at the [2020 census](/source/2020_United_States_census),[1] down from 2,445 at the [2010 census](/source/2010_United_States_census). It was once known as the "Banana Capital of the World", because 70% of imported bananas to the U.S. used to be shipped through the city.[2] Fulton is part of the [Union City](/source/Union_City,_Tennessee)-[Hickman](/source/Hickman,_Kentucky), [TN](/source/Tennessee)–[KY](/source/Kentucky) [Micropolitan Statistical Area](/source/Union_City_micropolitan_area).

## History

A post office was established in the community, then known as "Pontotoc", in 1847. The post office was renamed "Fulton" in 1861.[3] It was formally incorporated by the [state assembly](/source/Kentucky_Assembly) in 1872.[4] Fulton Station was located on the Paducah and Gulf Railroad, which stimulated growth in the county.[5]

In the late 19th century, [Ben M. Bogard](/source/Ben_M._Bogard), later the founder of the [American Baptist Association](/source/American_Baptist_Association) in [Texarkana, Texas](/source/Texarkana,_Texas), and long-time pastor of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in [Little Rock, Arkansas](/source/Little_Rock,_Arkansas), served as a pastor in Fulton, where he was part of the [Landmark Baptist movement](/source/Landmarkism).[6] In the first decade of the 20th century, the [Southern Baptist](/source/Southern_Baptist) clergyman [Monroe E. Dodd](/source/Monroe_E._Dodd) began his long ministry at a church in Fulton. For many years afterward, he was the pastor of First Baptist Church of [Shreveport, Louisiana](/source/Shreveport,_Louisiana).

### Banana Capital of the World

The United Fruit Co., now [Chiquita](/source/Chiquita), began shipping [bananas](/source/Banana) from South America by steamship to [New Orleans](/source/New_Orleans). The bananas were loaded onto railcars on top of 162-pound (73-kilogram) blocks of ice for the trip north. Fulton had the only [ice house](/source/Ice_house_(building)) on the route north to [Chicago](/source/Chicago). The bananas were re-iced with blocks from the Fulton Ice Plant, now closed. Empty railcars were pulled up to the side of the ice house, and the large blocks of ice were loaded end up, covering the entire box car. The bananas were laid on top of the ice to continue their journey. At one point, more than 70% of the bananas that were consumed in the US passed through Fulton. [7]

From 1962 through 1992, Fulton held the annual International Banana Festival. The largest [banana pudding](/source/Banana_pudding) in the world at 2,000 pounds (910 kg) was part of the banana parade. Since the early 21st century, the festival has been revived, including a contest for the largest banana pudding.

## Geography

Fulton is located in the southeast corner of Fulton County at [36°30′33″N 88°52′44″W](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?params=36_30_33_N_88_52_44_W) (36.509156, -88.878768).[8] Its southern border is the state line, across which is the city of [South Fulton, Tennessee](/source/South_Fulton,_Tennessee). According to the [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau), Fulton has a total area of 2.9 sq mi (7.6 square kilometres), of which 2.9 sq mi (7.4 square kilometres) is land and 0.1 sq mi (0.2 square kilometres), or 2.95%, is water.[9]

## Demographics

### 2020 census

As of the [2020 census](/source/2020_United_States_census), Fulton had a population of 2,357. The median age was 42.7 years. 23.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 81.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 77.1 males age 18 and over.[10][11]

99.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 1.0% lived in rural areas.[12]

There were 1,076 households in Fulton, of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 28.2% were married-couple households, 22.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 43.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 39.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The census also counted 646 families.[10]

There were 1,259 housing units, of which 14.5% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.0%.[10]

Racial composition as of the 2020 census[11] Race Number Percent White 1,486 63.0% Black or African American 643 27.3% American Indian and Alaska Native 8 0.3% Asian 18 0.8% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 3 0.1% Some other race 35 1.5% Two or more races 164 7.0% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 44 1.9%

### 2000 census

As of the [census](/source/Census)[13] of 2000, there were 2,775 people, 1,225 households, and 753 families residing in the city. The population density was 983.0 inhabitants per square mile (379.5 /km2). There were 1,388 housing units at an average density of 491.7 inhabitants per square mile (189.8 /km2). The racial makeup of the city was 67.35% [White](/source/White_(U.S._Census)), 29.41% [African American](/source/African_American_(U.S._Census)), 0.25% [Native American](/source/Native_American_(U.S._Census)), 0.68% [Asian](/source/Asian_(U.S._Census)), 0.86% from [other races](/source/Race_(United_States_Census)), and 1.44% from two or more races. [Hispanic](/source/Hispanic_(U.S._Census)) or [Latino](/source/Latino_(U.S._Census)) of any race were 1.44% of the population.

There were 1,225 households, out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.1% were [married couples](/source/Marriage) living together, 21.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were non-families. 36.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.2% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 22.4% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 22.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 75.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 68.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,345, and the median income for a family was $27,625. Males had a median income of $26,029 versus $21,696 for females. The [per capita income](/source/Per_capita_income) for the city was $16,260. About 22.4% of families and 24.6% of the population were below the [poverty line](/source/Poverty_line), including 37.2% of those under age 18 and 17.3% of those age 65 or over.

## Government

The city of Fulton uses the Commission Plan form of government, which is composed of a mayor elected to a four-year term and four commissioners elected to two-year terms. The executive and legislative authority of the city are exercised by the city commission, and administrative responsibilities are the province of the city manager.

## Transportation

### Rail

See also: [Fulton (Amtrak station)](/source/Fulton_(Amtrak_station))

[Amtrak](/source/Amtrak), the national passenger rail system, provides service to Fulton. Fulton is one of only four cities in [Kentucky](/source/Kentucky) with passenger rail service by Amtrak. The station is unmonitored and served by the *[City of New Orleans](/source/City_of_New_Orleans_(train))* route running between New Orleans and Chicago.

## Sports and recreation

Fulton was longtime home [minor league baseball](/source/Minor_league_baseball). The [Fulton Railroaders](/source/Fulton_Railroaders), played as members of the [Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League](/source/Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee_League), between 1911 and 1955. In 2005, the "Fulton Railroaders" nickname returned, as today Fulton hosts the [summer collegiate baseball](/source/Summer_collegiate_baseball) team, currently playing as members of the Ohio Valley League. The current Railroaders play their home games at Lohaus Field.[14][15]

## Education

Fulton has a [public library](/source/Public_library), a branch of the Fulton County Public Library.[16]

## References

1. ["Explore Census Data"](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2129566). *data.census.gov*. Retrieved 2021-12-18.

1. ["Piece " Banana pudding in Fulton, Kentucky"](http://www.prx.org/pieces/16882). PRX. December 1, 2007. Retrieved April 16, 2013.

1. Rennick, Robert M. (1987). [*Kentucky Place Names*](https://books.google.com/books?id=3Lac2FUSj_oC&pg=PA111). University Press of Kentucky. p. 111. ISBN 0-8131-2631-2. Retrieved 28 April 2013.

1. Commonwealth of Kentucky. Office of the Secretary of State. Land Office. "Fulton, Kentucky". Accessed 26 July 2013.

1. Collins, Lewis (1877). [*History of Kentucky*](https://books.google.com/books?id=F5FQAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA281). Library Reprints, Incorporated. p. 281. ISBN 978-0-7222-4920-8.

1. ["Benjamin Marcus Bogard (1868–1951)"](http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=1593). encyclopediaofarkansas.net. Retrieved August 4, 2013.

1. ["Why Bananas in Kentucky and Tennessee?"](https://thebananafestival.com/history/). thebananafestival.com. Retrieved June 20, 2023.

1. ["US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990"](https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html). [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau). 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.

1. ["Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001), Fulton city, Kentucky"](https://archive.today/20200213052040/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US2129566). *American FactFinder*. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from [the original](http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US2129566) on February 13, 2020. Retrieved May 24, 2016.

1. ["2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)"](https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0133P,DP1_0137P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=place%3A29566&in=state%3A21). *United States Census Bureau*. 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2026.

1. ["2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)"](https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=place%3A29566&in=state%3A21). *United States Census Bureau*. 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2026.

1. ["2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)"](https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=place%3A29566&in=state%3A21). *United States Census Bureau*. 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2026.

1. ["U.S. Census website"](https://www.census.gov). [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau). Retrieved 2008-01-31.

1. ["Fulton, Kentucky Encyclopedia"](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi). *Baseball-Reference.com*

1. ["Fulton Railroaders Baseball"](http://fultonrailroadersbaseball.club/). *fultonrailroadersbaseball.club*

1. ["Kentucky Public Library Directory"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190111202017/https://kdla.ky.gov/librarians/pages/librarydirectory.aspx). Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Archived from [the original](https://kdla.ky.gov/librarians/pages/librarydirectory.aspx) on 11 January 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2019.

## External links

- [City of Fulton official website](http://www.fulton-ky.com/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Fulton, Kentucky](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulton%2C_Kentucky) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulton%2C_Kentucky?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.