Obion County, Tennessee

Obion County sits in the far northwestern corner of Tennessee, right along the Kentucky border. It has that classic friendly small-town atmosphere, where people still wave to each other as they pass by.

Reelfoot Lake reaches into the northwestern part of the county and is one of the area’s most unusual natural features. The lake was created by a series of earthquakes in the early 1800s. Obion County also has some fun local traditions, including the famous World’s Biggest Fish Fry in nearby Reelfoot Lake country. It’s certainly an event you won’t forget.

Union City serves as the county seat and is home to Discovery Park of America, where visitors can explore exhibits covering everything from dinosaurs to earthquakes. Agriculture is another major part of local life, with corn, soybeans, and wheat among the leading crops.

CategoryDetails
County NameObion County
County SeatUnion City
PopulationApproximately 30,000
Cities, Towns, and CommunitiesUnion City, South Fulton, Troy, Obion, Hornbeak
Interstates and HighwaysU.S. Highway 51, State Highway 21
FIPS Code47-131
Total Area (Land and Water)556 square miles (545 sq mi land, 11 sq mi water)
Adjacent Counties (and Direction)Fulton County, Kentucky (North), Hickman County, Kentucky (Northeast), Weakley County (East), Gibson County (Southeast), Dyer County (Southwest), Lake County (West)
Time ZoneCentral Time Zone (CST)
StateTennessee
Coordinates36°22’N, 89°11’W
EtymologyNamed after the Obion River, which flows through the county
Major LandmarksDiscovery Park of America, Reelfoot Lake, Obion County Courthouse
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