Moving to Elizabethtown, Kentucky: A Comprehensive Relocation Guide

Considering moving to Elizabethtown, Kentucky? This growing Central Kentucky city offers military community presence, affordable living, and convenient location. With approximately 31,000 residents in 2025 (metro 154,000+), Elizabethtown combines Fort Knox proximity with family atmosphere and the Bluegrass State’s welcoming destination.

Demographic Profile to Consider If Moving to Elizabethtown:

Elizabethtown’s 2025 population is approximately 31,000 residents in this Hardin County seat, with the metro exceeding 154,000 including Fort Knox military population. The median age is around 36 years, with military families, working families, and diverse residents. The population is approximately 73% White, 16% Black or African American, 6% Hispanic, 4% Asian. Elizabethtown features downtown historic district, extensive commercial development along Dixie Highway, proximity to Fort Knox (10 minutes), and serves as Central Kentucky’s military-friendly community. The city attracts military families (Fort Knox assignment), working families, and those seeking affordable Kentucky living between Louisville and Nashville. Elizabethtown appeals to those prioritizing military community support, affordability, and convenient location. The community values military families (welcoming atmosphere), small-city character, and maintaining family-friendly environment.

Cost of Living to Consider If Moving to Elizabethtown:

Elizabethtown offers exceptional affordability. Median home values range from $180,000 to $260,000 in 2025, providing tremendous value with military community stability and convenient location. The median household income is approximately $56,000. Rental properties average $900 to $1,300 monthly. Kentucky has no state income tax on Social Security; individual income tax is flat 4.0%. Property taxes are very low. Overall cost of living is very competitive, making Elizabethtown highly attractive for military families (BAH helpful), working families, and those seeking Central Kentucky affordability. The city provides exceptional value with Fort Knox employment stability. Housing costs create accessibility while military presence ensures community stability.

Economy and Job Market:

Elizabethtown’s economy is heavily influenced by Fort Knox (massive military installation 10 minutes away employing military personnel and civilians), manufacturing, healthcare, and retail. Major employers include Akebono Brake Corporation, Metalsa Structural Products, Kruger Inc., Hardin Memorial Hospital, and extensive retail along Dixie Highway. Many residents work at Fort Knox or throughout the region. The broader area offers opportunities. Typical commute times to Fort Knox are minimal. The military presence provides economic stability. Many residents work in military support, manufacturing, healthcare, and services.

Education:

Elizabethtown Independent Schools and Hardin County Schools serve area students with schools including Elizabethtown High School and others. School quality is competitive with programs supporting military-connected students understanding deployment impacts. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College provides higher education and vocational programs. The educational infrastructure serves the military-influenced community.

Recreation and Lifestyle:

Elizabethtown offers historic downtown along Main Street with local businesses, Freeman Lake Park providing recreation and walking trails, and the Elizabethtown Sports Park. The city features Swope’s Cars of Yesteryear Museum and community events. Residents enjoy convenient location between Louisville (45 minutes north) and Nashville (2 hours south) via I-65, Mammoth Cave National Park (45 minutes), and Fort Knox providing recreation facilities for military families. The lifestyle emphasizes affordable family living, military community support, convenient location, and Southern hospitality. The four-season mild Kentucky climate enables year-round activities. The community values military families (businesses offer military discounts, welcoming atmosphere), affordability, family atmosphere, and convenient I-65 corridor location. Living in Elizabethtown means embracing military community character, accepting commercial sprawl along highways, and prioritizing Fort Knox proximity and affordability while enjoying military-friendly atmosphere creating welcoming environment for service members, convenient location between Louisville and Nashville, and exceptional Kentucky affordability with Fort Knox stability defining Central Kentucky’s military-friendly destination.

Healthcare and Services:

Elizabethtown residents access comprehensive healthcare through Hardin Memorial Hospital, Baptist Health Hardin, and Fort Knox medical facilities for military families. The healthcare infrastructure serves the military-influenced community and region.

Transportation:

Elizabethtown is accessed via Interstate 65, U.S. Route 31W, Western Kentucky Parkway, and various corridors at strategic location. Most residents use personal vehicles. Typical travel times to Louisville are 45 minutes, to Fort Knox 10 minutes, to Nashville 2 hours.

Conclusion:

Moving to Elizabethtown in 2025 offers affordable Central Kentucky living with Fort Knox proximity, military-friendly community, and convenient location. The city’s combination of exceptionally low housing costs, military community support, and I-65 corridor access makes it ideal for military families, working residents, and those seeking Kentucky affordability where Fort Knox meets Southern hospitality and convenient location defines the Bluegrass State’s welcoming military community.