Arlington, KY

Tucked into far western Kentucky's Carlisle County, Arlington is a quiet rural town with a population of around 260. Founded in the 1870s as a railroad stop, the community sits right at the crossroads of U.S. Route 51 and Kentucky Route 80. It offers a slow, peaceful pace of life surrounded by farmland, while keeping residents within easy reach of the Mississippi River six miles to the west and regional hubs like Paducah for shopping, dining, and healthcare.

ATTRBrian Stansberry / CC BY 4.0

Agriculture remains the backbone of the local economy, though the town has recently attracted significant economic interest. A major renewable energy project announced in 2026 plans to convert regional farm waste into clean fuel, bringing new jobs and the county's largest private investment to date. For anyone looking for wide-open spaces, low-key living, and a tight-knit community, Arlington provides an affordable slice of classic rural Kentucky.