Army

Fort Knox

Fort Knox, KY

Fort Knox is the home of the Army Armor School and the 1st Theater Sustainment Command, and is famously home to the United States Bullion Depository. Located 35 miles south of Louisville in north-central Kentucky, the base provides access to the Derby City's bourbon distilleries, horse racing at Churchill Downs, and a growing culinary scene. Kentucky's military-friendly tax environment and affordable housing make Fort Knox a popular assignment for armor and sustainment professionals.

Get VA Loan Help Official Website

Local neighborhood · Fort Knox, KY

Neighborhoods Near Fort Knox

Popular communities where military families stationed at Fort Knox choose to live.

Radcliff

5 min to main gate

City immediately outside Fort Knox's main gate, purpose-built around the installation with a high density of military families and supporting businesses.

Military communityAffordableSuburban

Elizabethtown

15–20 min to main gate

Larger city 10 miles from base with better retail options, restaurants, and a growing suburban community popular with families wanting more amenities.

SuburbanFamily-friendlyAffordable

Vine Grove

10–15 min to main gate

Small community between Radcliff and Elizabethtown with newer home developments and a quieter neighborhood feel.

SuburbanNew constructionFamily-friendly

Schools & Education

Hardin County Schools

Hardin County Schools serves the Fort Knox area and is well-versed in supporting military families, with Purple Star designations at several campuses.

North Hardin High School (Radcliff) has a strong JROTC program and is the main military family campus
Central Hardin High School (Elizabethtown) has higher academic rankings
District maintains a Military Family Support Liaison

Things to Do Near Fort Knox

Local favorites for dining, outdoor adventures, and entertainment in the Fort Knox area.

Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor

Attraction

World-class military museum on post dedicated to Gen. George S. Patton with an extraordinary collection of historic tanks and artifacts.

Mammoth Cave National Park

Outdoors

The world's longest known cave system, about 45 minutes from Fort Knox — a must-do natural wonder for every family stationed here.

Lincoln Jamboree

Entertainment

Long-running weekly country music show in Hodgenville (near Lincoln's birthplace) — a unique Kentucky entertainment tradition.

Elizabethtown Square

Dining

Historic downtown Elizabethtown with local restaurants, coffee shops, and the occasional farmers market.

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College

Attraction

Key resource for continuing education and spouse employment programs in the area.

Leitchfield Lake (Rough River Lake)

Outdoors

Corps of Engineers lake about an hour west with boating, fishing, and camping — a popular Fort Knox family weekend destination.

Housing & Cost of Living

Median Home Price

$170,000–$280,000

Typical Rent

$900–$1,400/mo

The Fort Knox market is very affordable, with Radcliff being the lowest-cost option and Elizabethtown offering more amenities at a slightly higher price. Louisville (40 min) is accessible for those wanting a larger city.

Popular neighborhoods to consider:

RadcliffVine GroveElizabethtown

PCS Tips for Fort Knox

Contact the installation housing office early — wait lists can be long.
Check BAH rates at the official DoD BAH calculator before setting your home budget.
Get VA pre-approved before your PCS orders — it helps you move fast in competitive markets.
Military-friendly real estate markets near bases can move quickly — be ready to act.

Other Army Installations

Fort Belvoir

Fairfax County, VA·Army

Fort Belvoir is a major Army installation in the National Capital Region hosting dozens of major commands, agencies, and tenant organizations including the Defense Intelligence Agency and the Army's acquisition community. Located in Fairfax County along the Potomac River, the base provides convenient access to Washington D.C., the Pentagon, and all of Northern Virginia's world-class amenities. The downside is Northern Virginia's high cost of living, but BAH rates are among the highest in the military, and career opportunities in the NCR are unmatched.

Fort Benning

Columbus, GA·Army

Fort Benning is the Army's Maneuver Center of Excellence and home to Infantry and Armor training, Ranger School, the Airborne School, and the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation. Located on the Georgia-Alabama border adjacent to Columbus, Georgia, the base is about 100 miles southwest of Atlanta and 90 miles north of the Alabama coast. Columbus has a revitalized Uptown district with excellent restaurants, craft breweries along the Chattahoochee River, and an active military community.

Fort Bliss

El Paso, TX·Army

Fort Bliss is one of the largest military installations in the world and home to the 1st Armored Division, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, and the Air Defense Artillery School. Located in El Paso on the Texas-New Mexico border adjacent to Juárez, Mexico, the base benefits from a warm desert climate, affordable housing, and the unique binational culture of the Paso del Norte region. White Sands National Park, the Organ Mountains, and numerous ski resorts in the Sacramento Mountains are all within reach.