First incorporated in 1956, Radcliff, Kentucky, largely owes its existence to Fort Knox and its expansion during the 1930s. “It’s close to Louisville, with affordable, economic options,” says David Earls, associate broker with Schuler Bauer Real Estate Services. “It’s sort of a bedroom community to the Fort Knox military base.” The growth of the famous military base shifted residents and businesses of the former towns of Stithton and New Stithton, forcing them into the city of Radcliff. Though census data shows the city’s population was 800 at the time of its incorporation, that number grew to 3,381 by 1960. The latest census data shows the city had a population of 22,981 in 2022, and Fort Knox remains the area’s largest employer today.
Radcliff is a vibrant community with close knit bonds.
Radcliff has a quaint but popular downtown area.
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Housing options for military families
Much of the housing in Radcliff sits in small developments and planned communities. In 2024, the median home price increased 4% to $232,995. The median home price in the U.S. was $420,400 that same year. Ranch-style homes needing serious rehabilitation with around 1,000 square feet can sell as low as $40,000, while modern homes with over 3,000 square feet can sell as high as $595,000. Lot sizes are typically around half an acre, but larger homes can sit on wooded lots that cover more than an acre. Radcliff homes tend to sit on the market for an average of 34 days.
Radcliff is a beautiful but small town.
The homes in Radcliff come in a variety of options and prices.
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Hardin County Schools
Most Radcliff students are part of the Hardin County Schools district, which earns an overall B on Niche. The district has just under 14,700 students across 15 elementary schools, seven middle schools and three high schools. The average graduation rate in the district is 89%, and the district maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20:1. North Hardin Christian School is a private school within the city, educating kindergarten through grade 12 students.
North Hardin High School is a great place to enroll your children.
Radcliff Elementary serves students all across the county.
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Saunders Spring Nature Preserve and other park options
The city has three parks and a large nature preserve, offering baseball fields, soccer fields, playgrounds, a skate park and a disc golf course. The amphitheater at Radcliff City Park is a popular space for local theater performances, and the Colvin Community Center holds indoor meeting rooms and an outdoor community pool that’s open in the summer. Within the 103-acre Saunders Springs Nature Preserve, a handicap-accessible trail wanders through the trees and past a picturesque waterfall.
Radcliff City Park has a skate park that is beloved by the locals.
Saunders Springs Nature Preserve is a sprawling green space beloved by Radcliff residents.
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Shopping and dining around West Lincoln Trail
Much of Radcliff’s shopping and dining sits around the intersection of West Lincoln Trail Boulevard and State Route 31W. Retail options include chains like Bomgaars department store and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, along with Walmart and ALDI for groceries and home goods. There are a few local shops like T7 Specialties, a custom engraver and gift store, and Pangaea Gaming, a tabletop game store. Local dining options include seafood spots and international flavors at Chinese, Jamaican and Mexican restaurants. Military families have the added benefit of shopping on base. “If someone’s affiliated with the military, they have access to Fort Knox as well,” Earls says.
The local Aldis is a popular grocery spot for Radcliff residents.
Eat at the Spot is a popular Jamaican eatery in Radcliff.
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A Taste of Radcliff
Annual events highlight the small city’s community vibe. Taste of Radcliff showcases local culinary talents with dishes from community members and local restaurants. Proceeds from the event fund community service projects and scholarships organized by the Radcliff Women’s Club. The city also hosts events for holidays like July 4th and Halloween, and residents are just 44 miles from larger events in downtown Louisville.
Upcoming Hardin County bus services
Radcliff's current public transportation option is the Transit Authority of Central Kentucky, which offers on-demand ride-sharing services for medical appointments and other needs. But Earls says the city will soon be part of a Hardin County bus system that will serve Radcliff, Vine Grove and Elizabethtown. “The county is working on a transit system with small, mini-buses,” he says. “There are actually going to be three dedicated routes.” Many of the city’s residential streets and larger commercial thoroughfares have sidewalks, though more rural roads go without. State Route 31W provides a direct path into downtown Louisville 44 miles north and to Elizabethtown 10 miles south. The latter is the location of the nearest 24-hour emergency care facility at Baptist Health – Hardin. Interstate 65 lies roughly 9 miles east, connecting drivers to the national network of highways. For long-distance travel, residents must head north to the Louisville International Airport.
Warm, humid summers
According to crime data from the FBI, violent and property crime rates in Radcliff have remained relatively consistent over the past ten years. Rates are primarily below state and national averages, though occasional spikes push Radcliff rates over those averages intermittently. Environmental data from the risk assessment site First Street indicates a moderate risk of impact from wildfires over the next 30 years. Data also suggests that Radcliff’s air quality is better than 55% of other cities in the state. Radcliff summers tend to have average highs in the 80s, while winter highs average in the 40s. The climate is generally wet, making summers relatively humid.
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