Fort Knox

Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Fort Knox, Kentucky
Installation Type: Fort
Status: Active

Overview

Fort Knox is located in north-central Kentucky, approximately 35 miles south of Louisville, spanning portions of Hardin, Meade, and Bullitt counties. Established in 1918 as Camp Knox and named for Major General Henry Knox, the nation’s first Secretary of War, the installation became famous as the home of the U.S. Bullion Depository (the nation’s gold vault) and as the former home of the Armor School. Following the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) decisions, Fort Knox transitioned to become the home of Human Resources Command (HRC) and the Army Recruiting Command (USAREC), while retaining significant operational and support units.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Host U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC) and U.S. Army Recruiting Command (USAREC), managing personnel and recruiting for the total Army.
Major Units: U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC); U.S. Army Recruiting Command (USAREC); 3rd Brigade, 100th Division (ITD — Initial Training Division); 4th Brigade, 81st Readiness Division
Tenant Units: U.S. Army Cadet Command; Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP/Transition Assistance); 1st Theater Sustainment Command (forward elements); Gold Vault — U.S. Bullion Depository (Fort Knox Gold Vault, operated by Department of Treasury)

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Louisville, KY — approximately 35 miles north; Elizabethtown, KY — approximately 12 miles south
Nearest Commercial Airport: Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) — approximately 40 miles north
Gate Access: Multiple access control points with 24-hour operations. Valid CAC, military ID, or visitor pass required. All visitors must be sponsored and obtain a visitor pass at the Visitor Control Center. Several gates serve different areas of the installation. Vehicle inspections may apply.

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 12,000-16,000
Family Members: Approximately 15,000-20,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 8,000-10,000
Total Installation Population: Approximately 40,000+

Key Facilities

Medical: Ireland Army Community Hospital — a full Army community hospital providing comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care, emergency services, obstetrics, surgery, behavioral health, dental, and pharmacy services
Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary on post
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — large Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) main exchange with food court and multiple retail outlets; one of the better-stocked exchanges in the region
Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers; indoor and outdoor pools; golf course (Lindsey Golf Course); bowling alley; movie theater; youth sports; outdoor recreation; skeet range; auto skills center
Schools: DoDEA schools on post — Kingsolver Elementary, Keyes Elementary, Marsh Middle School; Hardin County Schools system serves military children at the high school level (John Hardin High School and North Hardin High School); Elizabethtown Independent Schools also available
Childcare: Multiple Child Development Centers on post; School Age Services available; waitlists are common and early enrollment upon receipt of orders is strongly advised
Veterinary Services: Fort Knox Veterinary Treatment Facility — provides preventive care, vaccinations, wellness exams, dental care, and x-rays for privately owned pets of eligible beneficiaries; appointments required
Legal Assistance / JAG: Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Fort Knox — legal assistance by appointment; walk-in powers of attorney typically available; VITA tax preparation available seasonally; located near the HRC area

Housing

On-Post Housing: Managed by Lendlease; multiple neighborhoods with a mix of single-family homes and townhomes; generally good condition with ongoing renovation work
Average Wait Time: Varies by rank and bedroom requirement; typically several weeks to 2-3 months; some grades may have shorter waits
Off-Post Housing: Elizabethtown (“E-town”), Radcliff, Vine Grove, and Rineyville offer the most convenient off-post options. Average rent ranges from approximately $1,000-$1,700/month for 2-3 bedroom homes or apartments. Louisville metro offers more options at greater distance.
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining unit or directorate S1 upon receipt of orders for sponsor assignment; HRC and USAREC have well-organized sponsorship processes given the high PCS turnover.
In-Processing: Report to the Soldier Support Center (SSC) or designated in-processing location on first available duty day; in-processing typically takes 3-5 duty days covering finance, medical, housing, and reporting.
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Army Community Service EFMP office on post; Ireland ACH provides comprehensive on-post medical support; Elizabethtown and Louisville area providers supplement for specialized needs; contact ACS before PCS for resource coordination.

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Humid subtropical/continental climate. Summers are warm to hot and humid (highs in the upper 80s-90s°F); winters are mild to cold with occasional snow and ice events; spring and fall are pleasant.
Cost of Living: Low to moderate — the Elizabethtown and Radcliff area is very affordable by national standards; housing, food, and services cost well below national averages. Louisville access adds consumer options without significantly increasing living costs.
Nearby Attractions: Louisville, KY — Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs (approximately 35 miles north), Louisville Slugger Museum, bourbon country and distillery tours; Mammoth Cave National Park — approximately 80 miles south; Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest (nearby); My Old Kentucky Home State Park in Bardstown.
Spouse Employment: Moderate employment in the Elizabethtown/Radcliff area (healthcare, manufacturing, retail, education); Louisville metro offers significantly broader opportunities for military spouses in a variety of professional fields. Fort Knox itself also provides on-post employment options.

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://home.army.mil/knox/
Main Installation Phone: (502) 624-1101
MWR Website: https://fortknox.armymwr.com/
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Army Community Service (ACS), Fort Knox — (502) 624-2827; located in the Family and MWR complex on post

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: U.S. Army Installation Management Command (home.army.mil/knox), Human Resources Command Public Affairs, Army Community Service Fort Knox, Ireland Army Community Hospital