Radcliff, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
Radcliff is a city in Hardin County
, Kentucky
, United States
. The population was 21,961 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
Its economy is largely dominated by the county seat of Hardin County, Elizabethtown
, as well as Fort Knox
, as it sits by the entrance to the base. Prior to the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) reorganization, Radcliff’s population reflected the transient nature of military officers who worked on the base. Since BRAC, and the relocation of the Human Resources Command
(HRC) to Fort Knox, which is expected to have a net gain of about 5,000 full-time civilian and permanent military personnel assigned to the base, creating a more stable population, and providing an economic boost to Radcliff and the surrounding areas.
In 1988, a youth group from the First Assembly of God in Radcliff was involved in the worst drunk-driving accident in U.S. history, a bus accident in which a drunk driver going the wrong way on Interstate 71
hit the group's vehicle, killing 27 people in the crash and the resulting fire.
Despite being in a dry county
(Hardin
), sales by the drink in restaurants seating at least 100 diners are allowed.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 11.5 square miles (29.8 km²), of which 11.5 square miles (29.8 km²) is land and 0.09% is water.
The next significant step in Radcliff's history took place during the 1930s when Fort Knox
expanded and dislocated the towns of Stithton and New Stithton, causing various residents and businesses of those communities to move to Radcliff. During World War II
, thousands of soldiers trained at Fort Knox and spent their leisure hours at the USO in Radcliff.
Hardin Water District No. 1 was formed in 1953, and became a reality in 1955 with the sale of bonds to finance the project. Today, the Water District is the principal source of fresh water to all Hardin County. Radcliff's Fire Department was established in 1955, with Joseph B. Hutcherson named the first fire chief. The Radcliff Civic Club was also organized that year, with the city incorporated in March 1956 as a 6th class city. Radcliff Police Department was formed with officers paid on a fee basis. The population was estimated at 800. The population growth of Radcliff over the last 50 years is due to the transient military population, and trends are showing a plateau and decline. At one time, Radcliff was larger than Elizabethtown, but that was short-lived after the 2000 Census and more so after the BRAC transformation in the latter part of the twenty-first century. Starting with 800 in 1956, the Census Bureau reported populations of 3,381 in 1960, 8,281 in 1970, 14,519 in 1980, and 21,961 in 2000.
of 2000, there were 21,961 people, 8,487 households, and 5,856 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,914.1 people per square mile (739.2/km²). There were 9,487 housing units at an average density of 826.9 per square mile (319.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 62.76% White, 25.65% African American, 0.61% Native American, 3.52% Asian, 0.41% Pacific Islander, 2.60% from other races
, and 4.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.66% of the population.
There were 8,487 households out of which 38.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples
living together, 16.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.09.
The age distribution is 29.1% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,763, and the median income for a family was $41,260. Males had a median income of $30,518 versus $20,982 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,436. About 11.3% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.0% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.
, with some zoned to attend John Hardin High School
(which is in a portion of the city served by the Elizabethtown post office). There are also: North Park Elementary, Woodland Elementary, Meadowview Elementary, North Middle School, Radcliff Elementary and the all-grades North Hardin Christian School private school
run by Radcliff's Fellowship Independent Baptist Church.
Hardin County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 94,174 people, 34,497 households, and 25,355 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 37,673 housing units at an average density of...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 21,961 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Elizabethtown is a city in and the county seat of Hardin County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 28,531 at the 2010 census, making it the eleventh-largest city in the state...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Elizabethtown metropolitan area
The Elizabethtown Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in Kentucky, anchored by the city of Elizabethtown...
.
Its economy is largely dominated by the county seat of Hardin County, Elizabethtown
Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Elizabethtown is a city in and the county seat of Hardin County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 28,531 at the 2010 census, making it the eleventh-largest city in the state...
, as well as Fort Knox
Fort Knox
Fort Knox is a United States Army post in Kentucky south of Louisville and north of Elizabethtown. The base covers parts of Bullitt, Hardin, and Meade counties. It currently holds the Army Human Resources Center of Excellence to include the Army Human Resources Command, United States Army Cadet...
, as it sits by the entrance to the base. Prior to the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) reorganization, Radcliff’s population reflected the transient nature of military officers who worked on the base. Since BRAC, and the relocation of the Human Resources Command
United States Army Human Resources Command
The United States Army Human Resources Command is a command of the United States Army command established in 2003 from the merger of the United States Total Army Personnel Command in Alexandria, Virginia, and the United States Army Reserve Personnel Command in St. Louis, Missouri...
(HRC) to Fort Knox, which is expected to have a net gain of about 5,000 full-time civilian and permanent military personnel assigned to the base, creating a more stable population, and providing an economic boost to Radcliff and the surrounding areas.
In 1988, a youth group from the First Assembly of God in Radcliff was involved in the worst drunk-driving accident in U.S. history, a bus accident in which a drunk driver going the wrong way on Interstate 71
Interstate 71
Interstate 71 is an Interstate Highway in the Great Lakes/Midwestern and Southeastern region of the United States. Its southern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 64 and Interstate 65 in Louisville, Kentucky. Its northern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 90 in Cleveland,...
hit the group's vehicle, killing 27 people in the crash and the resulting fire.
Despite being in a dry county
Dry county
A dry county is a county in the United States whose government forbids the sale of alcoholic beverages. Some prohibit off-premises sale, some prohibit on-premises sale, and some prohibit both. Hundreds of dry counties exist across the United States, almost all of them in the South...
(Hardin
Hardin County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 94,174 people, 34,497 households, and 25,355 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 37,673 housing units at an average density of...
), sales by the drink in restaurants seating at least 100 diners are allowed.
Geography
Radcliff is located at 37°49′48"N 85°56′44"W (37.829918, -85.945541).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 11.5 square miles (29.8 km²), of which 11.5 square miles (29.8 km²) is land and 0.09% is water.
History
The City of Radcliff has a population of approximately 22,000 citizens. Incorporated in 1956, Radcliff was actually established in 1919, when Horace McCullum subdivided lots along Wilson Avenue and sold them at auction to the highest bidder. McCullum named the new community after Major William Radcliffe, head of the Quartermaster Corps at the newly established Camp Henry Knox. After selling the general store which he had opened in the new town, McCullum no longer played a role in the development of the town.The next significant step in Radcliff's history took place during the 1930s when Fort Knox
Fort Knox
Fort Knox is a United States Army post in Kentucky south of Louisville and north of Elizabethtown. The base covers parts of Bullitt, Hardin, and Meade counties. It currently holds the Army Human Resources Center of Excellence to include the Army Human Resources Command, United States Army Cadet...
expanded and dislocated the towns of Stithton and New Stithton, causing various residents and businesses of those communities to move to Radcliff. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, thousands of soldiers trained at Fort Knox and spent their leisure hours at the USO in Radcliff.
Hardin Water District No. 1 was formed in 1953, and became a reality in 1955 with the sale of bonds to finance the project. Today, the Water District is the principal source of fresh water to all Hardin County. Radcliff's Fire Department was established in 1955, with Joseph B. Hutcherson named the first fire chief. The Radcliff Civic Club was also organized that year, with the city incorporated in March 1956 as a 6th class city. Radcliff Police Department was formed with officers paid on a fee basis. The population was estimated at 800. The population growth of Radcliff over the last 50 years is due to the transient military population, and trends are showing a plateau and decline. At one time, Radcliff was larger than Elizabethtown, but that was short-lived after the 2000 Census and more so after the BRAC transformation in the latter part of the twenty-first century. Starting with 800 in 1956, the Census Bureau reported populations of 3,381 in 1960, 8,281 in 1970, 14,519 in 1980, and 21,961 in 2000.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 21,961 people, 8,487 households, and 5,856 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,914.1 people per square mile (739.2/km²). There were 9,487 housing units at an average density of 826.9 per square mile (319.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 62.76% White, 25.65% African American, 0.61% Native American, 3.52% Asian, 0.41% Pacific Islander, 2.60% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 4.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.66% of the population.
There were 8,487 households out of which 38.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 16.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.09.
The age distribution is 29.1% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,763, and the median income for a family was $41,260. Males had a median income of $30,518 versus $20,982 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $16,436. About 11.3% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.0% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.
Schools
Radcliff has two public secondary schools within its city limits. Most high-schoolers in the city attend North Hardin High SchoolNorth Hardin High School
North Hardin High School, located in Radcliff, Kentucky, has a student population of approximately 1,500. The school was founded in 1962. The athletics teams are known as the Trojans...
, with some zoned to attend John Hardin High School
John Hardin High School
John Hardin High School is a school located in Radcliff, Kentucky but served by the post office of neighboring Elizabethtown. Established in 2001, the school is named after the Revolutionary War officer and Indian fighter, John Hardin.-Education system:...
(which is in a portion of the city served by the Elizabethtown post office). There are also: North Park Elementary, Woodland Elementary, Meadowview Elementary, North Middle School, Radcliff Elementary and the all-grades North Hardin Christian School private school
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
run by Radcliff's Fellowship Independent Baptist Church.
External links
- City of Radcliff -- website
- Ky-313 extension is well under way -- The News-Enterprise July 24, 2011