Moving to Radcliff, Kentucky: A Comprehensive Relocation Guide

Considering moving to Radcliff, Kentucky? This military community city offers Fort Knox proximity, affordable living, and family atmosphere. With approximately 24,000 residents in 2025, Radcliff combines military support services with small-city character and Central Kentucky’s Fort Knox gateway.

Demographic Profile to Consider If Moving to Radcliff:

Radcliff’s 2025 population is approximately 24,000 residents in this Hardin County city immediately adjacent to Fort Knox main gate. The median age is around 34 years, with military families, veterans, young families, and working-age residents. The population is approximately 70% White, 18% Black or African American, 7% Hispanic, 4% Asian. Radcliff features extensive commercial development along Dixie Highway serving Fort Knox, primarily residential neighborhoods, and serves as the Fort Knox community’s civilian gateway. The city attracts military families (Fort Knox assignment), veterans settling permanently, and those seeking military-friendly affordable community. Radcliff appeals entirely to the military community and those supporting Fort Knox. The community revolves around Fort Knox with all aspects supporting military families.

Cost of Living to Consider If Moving to Radcliff:

Radcliff offers exceptional affordability for military families. Median home values range from $160,000 to $230,000 in 2025, providing tremendous value with immediate Fort Knox access and military community stability. The median household income is approximately $52,000. Rental properties average $900 to $1,300 monthly. BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) rates for Fort Knox assist military families. 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 Radcliff highly attractive for military families (BAH covers housing comfortably), veterans, and those seeking Fort Knox area affordability. The city provides exceptional value with immediate post access. Housing costs create accessibility while military presence ensures community stability and understanding.

Economy and Job Market:

Radcliff’s economy revolves entirely around Fort Knox. The city exists to serve the military installation with retail, restaurants, services, and businesses catering to military families. Major employers include retail centers along Dixie Highway, restaurants, Lincoln Trail Behavioral Health System, and service businesses. Many residents work at Fort Knox (immediately adjacent) or in businesses supporting military families. The economy depends completely on Fort Knox. Military spouses work in Radcliff retail/services or on-post. The military presence provides exceptional economic stability for the community.

Education:

Hardin County Schools serves Radcliff students with North Hardin High School and Central Hardin High School. Schools serve large military-connected student populations understanding deployment impacts and frequent moves. School quality is competitive with military family support programs. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College nearby provides higher education. The educational infrastructure serves military families with schools experienced with military lifestyle.

Recreation and Lifestyle:

Radcliff offers Lincoln Homestead State Park preserving Lincoln heritage, Saunders Springs Nature Preserve, and parks. The city provides military family services, numerous restaurants and retail along Dixie Highway, and immediate Fort Knox access for on-post facilities. Residents enjoy Louisville access (45 minutes north), Elizabethtown proximity (10 minutes), and Kentucky Lake recreation (1 hour south). The lifestyle revolves entirely around Fort Knox military community, deployment cycles, and Army family support. The four-season mild Kentucky climate enables year-round activities. The community values military service, Army family support, understanding military lifestyle (businesses offer military discounts, community welcoming), and serving Fort Knox families. Living in Radcliff means embracing military community character entirely, accepting that the city exists to serve Fort Knox, deployment cycle impacts, and primarily military lifestyle while enjoying strong military community support creating networks, immediate Fort Knox gate access, exceptional affordability with BAH, and military-friendly atmosphere creating welcoming environment where everything revolves around supporting Army families and Fort Knox mission defines the community completely.

Healthcare and Services:

Radcliff residents access healthcare through Hardin Memorial Hospital (Elizabethtown), Fort Knox Ireland Army Community Hospital for military families, and facilities throughout the area. The healthcare infrastructure serves the military community and region.

Transportation:

Radcliff is accessed via U.S. Route 31W (Dixie Highway), Western Kentucky Parkway, and immediate Fort Knox gates. Most residents use personal vehicles. Typical travel times to Fort Knox are minimal (main gate immediately adjacent), to Elizabethtown 10 minutes, to Louisville 45 minutes.

Conclusion:

Moving to Radcliff in 2025 offers military community living with Fort Knox gate proximity, Army family support, and affordable character. The city’s combination of exceptionally low housing costs, immediate post access, and military-friendly community makes it ideal for Fort Knox military families, veterans, and those seeking the installation’s civilian gateway where military community support meets Kentucky affordability and Army family atmosphere defines living outside the Fort Knox gate serving the gold vault installation.