Living in Elizabethtown, KY — Your Complete Area Guide

Elizabethtown — "E-town" to the locals — is a city of roughly 33,000 residents nestled in Hardin County, Kentucky, about 35 miles south of Louisville along the I-65 corridor. It's the kind of place that surprises people: affordable enough to buy a home on a modest income, close enough to Louisville for big-city access, and community-oriented in a way that larger cities can't replicate.

Why People Move to Elizabethtown

The reasons people land in E-town vary, but a few themes come up again and again. Military families arrive because of Fort Knox, located about 15 miles north. Louisville commuters come for the dramatically lower housing costs — you can buy a spacious family home here for what a cramped condo costs in the Highlands. Retirees appreciate the slow pace, low cost of living, and access to quality healthcare. And first-time homebuyers discover that E-town is one of the rare places where homeownership is genuinely attainable on a single income.

The median home price in Elizabethtown hovers around $250,000 — roughly 35% below the national median. With Fort Knox BAH rates that often cover a full mortgage payment and property taxes that are among the lowest in the state, the math works for a wide range of buyers.

The Community

E-town has a distinctly welcoming, tight-knit feel. Neighbors wave, local businesses remember your name, and community events draw people out throughout the year. The city has invested in its downtown revitalization, bringing new restaurants, shops, and energy to the Main Street area. Freeman Lake Park serves as the city's outdoor gathering place, and seasonal events from the county fair to the Christmas parade bring the community together.

The military presence from Fort Knox gives E-town a uniquely diverse and transient population. On any given day, you'll meet families from every corner of the country — and many of them choose to stay after their service, which says something about the quality of life here.

Economy & Employment

Fort Knox is the region's largest employer, home to the U.S. Army Human Resources Command and the U.S. Army Cadet Command. Beyond the military, Hardin Memorial Health (Baptist Health Hardin) is a major employer, along with the Hardin County school system, local government, and a growing retail and service sector along the I-65 corridor. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) provides workforce training and associate degree programs.

For those willing to commute, Louisville's diverse economy — healthcare, logistics (UPS Worldport), manufacturing, bourbon industry, and corporate headquarters — is accessible within 45-60 minutes.

Explore Elizabethtown