FORT KNOX
ARMY
Fort Knox, KY
United States
FORT KNOX
ARMY
Fort Knox, KY
United States
Fort Knox
Home of Armor
Base Essentials
Home of Army Cadet Command and the Armor School in central Kentucky between Louisville and Elizabethtown — a mid-size posting with historic legacy and solid access to Kentucky's affordable lifestyle.
Base Details
Type
Army Post
Branch
ARMY
Command
TRADOC
Status
Active
Est.
1918
Acres
109,000
Active Duty
10,000
Civilian
6,000
Population
1,400,000
Economic Impact
$2.6 billion
Fort Knox History
Named AfterMajor General Henry Knox
Fort Knox in north-central Kentucky was established in 1918 as a training camp and is best known to the public as the site of the United States Bullion Depository, which stores a large portion of the nation's gold reserves. Historically the "Home of Armor," the installation lost that mission when the Armor School relocated to Fort Benning under BRAC 2005. Today Fort Knox is home to the Army Human Resources Command, the Army Cadet Command, and the Army Recruiting Command. It continues to serve as a major garrison and support installation.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
Army Human Resources Command
—
—
Army Cadet Command
—
—
Army Recruiting Command
—
—
Historic Timeline
1918
Camp Knox Established for Artillery Training
1932
Redesignated Fort Knox; Cavalry School Moves In
1937
U.S. Gold Bullion Depository Opens
1940
Armored Force Established; Home of the Armor
1941
WWII Armored Division Training Hub
—
View Key Moments
(5)
1918
Camp Knox Established for Artillery Training
Camp Knox was established in Hardin County, Kentucky, to train field artillery soldiers for World War I. Named after Maj. Gen. Henry Knox — first U.S. Secretary of War and founder of the Army's artillery tradition — the camp became a major training installation in the American heartland.
1932
Redesignated Fort Knox; Cavalry School Moves In
Camp Knox was permanently redesignated as Fort Knox, and the Cavalry School relocated to the installation, establishing the foundation for Fort Knox's identity as the home of armored and mechanized warfare. The post became the center for developing U.S. Army armor doctrine.
1937
U.S. Gold Bullion Depository Opens
The United States Bullion Depository opened at Fort Knox on January 13, 1937, receiving gold reserves transferred from the Federal Reserve banks. The fortified "Gold Vault" held the world's largest concentration of gold bullion — billions of dollars in reserves — secured by the Army garrison.
1940
Armored Force Established; Home of the Armor
The Armored Force was established at Fort Knox in July 1940, bringing together tanks, armored infantry, and self-propelled artillery under a unified command concept. Fort Knox became "The Home of the Armor" — the center for armored warfare doctrine, training, and experimentation.
1941
WWII Armored Division Training Hub
Fort Knox emerged as the central training hub for armored divisions during World War II. The Armored Force School processed thousands of tank crews and armored officers who would serve in North Africa under Patton, in Italy, and across Western Europe from Normandy to the Rhine.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for Fort Knox.
Fort Knox Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for Fort Knox.
Gate hours can change suddenly during special exercises, holidays, and operational periods. We always recommend confirming details before you travel.
Latest News
Recent articles and updates from Fort Knox.
PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to Fort Knox.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
Fort Knox Welcome/Visitors Center
Phone
(502) 624-7011Hours
Open 7 days a week, 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
In-Processing
All Soldiers arriving at Fort Knox for 30 days or more must first report to their gaining unit for the IPPS-A arrival transaction. Then, no later than one duty day after the unit completes the arrival, report to the Process Control Station (PROC CS) in Rockenbach Hall, Building 2020, 159 Black Horse Regiment Road, Room 130. After-hours arrivals sign in at the Department of Emergency Services (DES), Building 298, Gold Vault Road ((502) 624-1155) and will be directed to Newgarden Inn for billeting. Report in duty uniform.
The Process Control Station operates Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM and Friday 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM (closed 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM daily and federal holidays). At PROC CS, Soldiers verify their arrival transaction, update DD Form 93, and receive an in-processing checklist covering Personnel, Finance, Transportation, and Housing. The checklist must be completed and returned within five duty days.
Army Community Service (ACS) at Building 1477, 411 Eisenhower Avenue ((502) 624-8391, Mon–Fri 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM) offers the Lending Closet with kitchen items, irons, and household essentials for up to 30 days. Installation Newcomer Orientation is held the first Wednesday of every month and is mandatory for all newly assigned military personnel (CPT/SFC and below), spouses, and DoD civilians. First-term Soldiers must also attend a Financial Management workshop.
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Open PCS Checklist (14 Items)
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Join 200,000+ personnel for base news, PCS tips, exclusive discounts, and critical benefits info.
Always free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Housing & BAH
On-post housing, cost of living, and BAH info for Fort Knox.
On-post housing at Fort Knox is managed by Lendlease, which operates family communities across the installation in Hardin County, Kentucky, with 2- to 4-bedroom homes near the Armor training facilities and the historic Gold Vault. Lendlease maintains modern unit interiors, community amenities including playgrounds and fitness centers, and an online resident portal s…
Local Market
$1,200/mo
rent
/
$230,000
avg. home
2026 BAH Calculator
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Cost of Living Around Fort Knox
82
18% Below National Average
Housing
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near Fort Knox.
School Liaison Officer
School Liaison Services
3
Elementary Schools
View schools
1
Middle Schools
View schools
3
High Schools
View schools
3
Colleges & Universities
View colleges
1
Combined Schools
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Education Resources
Notes, tuition & more
Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
Fort Knox anchors Hardin County in north-central Kentucky, midway between Louisville (45 miles north) and Elizabethtown (15 miles south). The post is the home of the Army's Armor School and draws a large permanent-party population. Radcliff and Elizabethtown are the primary off-post communities, with Louisville serving as the major metro option for families who can handle the longer commute.
Elizabethtown
Small Town
Elizabethtown (E-town) is the most popular destination for Fort Knox families and has grown significantly in recent years with new retail, restaurants, and housing developments. It offers a genuine small-city quality of life with excellent amenities, good schools in Hardin County, and a commute to post that most families find very manageable. It's the clear favorite among Knox families who want more than just proximity.
Commute: 15–25 min
Gate: Wilson Gate / Main Gate
Schools: Hardin County Schools
Families with kids
Retirees
Dual military
Single service members
Freeman Lake Park offers great outdoor recreation. Growing restaurant scene on Ring Road. Lincoln Trail Motorsports Park nearby for car enthusiasts. E-town is one of the more genuinely livable small cities in the Army world.
Radcliff
Small Town
Radcliff sits directly outside Fort Knox's main gate and has the most convenient access to post. It's a smaller, more affordable city than E-town with a very military-dense population and all the basic services a family needs. Housing prices are extremely low, making it attractive for junior enlisted families looking to maximize their housing allowance.
Commute: 5–10 min
Gate: Wilson Gate (US-31W)
Schools: Hardin County Schools
Budget-friendly
Single service members
Families with kids
Maximum gate convenience for minimum cost. Closer to Saber and other Knox ranges. The same Hardin County school system as E-town. Housing costs are genuinely some of the lowest near any active Army post in the country.
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at Fort Knox.
State Income Tax
Has state income tax
Military Pay
Partially exempt
Retirement Pay
Fully exempt
Vehicle Tax Exempt
Yes
Military Pay Details
Kentucky taxes active duty military pay for Kentucky legal residents, with an exemption for pay received while serving i…
Spouse Income Tax
Under MSRRA, military spouses may maintain their legal domicile outside Kentucky for Kentucky income tax purposes. A qua…
Vehicle Registration
Kentucky charges a 6% usage tax on vehicle purchases. Military members who are not Kentucky legal residents may maintain…
Property Tax
Kentucky has low property tax rates. Hardin County (Fort Knox), Christian County (Fort Campbell, KY side) have typical K…
Pet Policies at Fort Knox
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at Fort Knox.
Emergency Vet
Coming soon
On-Base Vet Clinic
Fort Knox Veterinary Readiness Activity
Phone
(502) 624-5819Hours
Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Restricted Breeds
8
Prohibited Animals
4
Dog Parks
—
Boarding & Kennels
—
Pet Guidance
2
Max Pets
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at Fort Knox.
Commissary
1
Fort Knox Commissary
Exchange
PX
Mon–Sat 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Sun 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Medical
1
Ireland Army Health Clinic — Health Clinic
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
MWR & Recreation
1
Fitness Center
Employment & Education
Coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fort Knox.
01
What are the visitor gate hours?
Chaffee Gate is the main visitor access gate and is open 24 hours a day. Other gates are restricted to military and DoD ID holders — see the Gates section for full schedules.
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02
Is there temporary lodging on base?
Yes, Fort Knox has on-post temporary lodging available for incoming PCS personnel and TDY visitors. Reserve early — spaces fill fast during peak PCS season (May through August).
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03
What school district serves the base?
Hardin County Schools (rated B (Niche)) serves most military families at Fort Knox. Visit hardin.kyschools.us for enrollment info and the school finder tool.
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04
How do visitor passes work?
Visitors must be sponsored by someone with base access and should contact the installation's Visitor Control Center in advance with their government-issued ID and vehicle info. Day passes are issued at the gate; extended access may require additional coordination.
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05
What is BAH and how is it calculated?
BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is a monthly stipend based on your pay grade, dependency status, and the duty station ZIP code — it is not counted as taxable income. Rates are updated each January; use the BAH Calculator in the Finance section to see current figures for Fort Knox.
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06
What should I do first after receiving PCS orders?
Contact the gaining installation's housing office and military transportation office (TMO/PPSO) immediately after orders are issued. Apply for on-base housing right away — waitlists at many installations run 6–18 months.
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07
Does TRICARE cover local providers?
TRICARE covers both the on-base military treatment facility and authorized civilian providers in the surrounding community. Use the provider finder at tricare.mil to confirm in-network options near Fort Knox.
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Question
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Data & Methodology
How we source this −
Information is compiled from DoD publications, official installation websites, and reviewed by military personnel. Independent publication — not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense.