COMMUNITY PROFILE: Radcliff and Hardin County

Where Diversity is Strength
Radcliff boasts a diverse, cosmopolitan, family-friendly atmosphere

When you talk with Radcliff mayor Sheila Enyart about the great strengths of her city, a broad smile appears on her face. “This is a wonderful community,” she says. “We have a very cosmopolitan population, largely because we’re next door to Fort Knox and there are a lot of military retirees here.

“We are so spoiled. If you move to Radcliff, chances are that you won’t even be unpacked yet and there will be neighbors at your doorstep with homemade cookies in hand, wanting to help.”

The mayor’s sentiments are similar to those of other community leaders.

“Why do I like living here? I think it starts with tolerance,” said Maj. Gen. R. Steven Whitcomb, commanding general of the U.S. Army Armor Center and Fort Knox. “We have a sense of community togetherness and acceptance that really makes this place exceptional. We’re finding that people hear by word-of-mouth that Radcliff is a good place to live and move here as a result.”

U.S. Congressman Ron Lewis, himself a Hardin County resident, also values the area’s population. “The area’s diverse population and its military retirees constitute a group of people with a broad range of experience. They contribute so much to our schools, the local government and to businesses.”

Radcliff’s diversity is a major and positive factor in the area’s quality of life. Probably no other Kentucky city the size of Radcliff (about 22,000 residents) has as many fine restaurants serving ethnic cuisine. The city has numerous restaurants serving Chinese, Korean, German, Mexican, Italian and Greek delicacies.

“What a great indication of our diversity,” said Radcliff Economic Development Specialist Jessie Lee. “Because of the tremendous range of people we have here, there are churches of every variety. People are valued because of the new things they and their culture bring to this community. That really sets Radcliff apart.”

Business leaders agree that the area’s diversity is a real strength to the community. “Without a doubt we have a uniqueness that has worked wonderfully,” said Radcliff-Hardin County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sheila Emory. “We enjoy a diversity that brings us closer together, instead of dividing us. If you want to enjoy what a big city has to offer in the way of culture, you’re a short drive to Louisville from here. It’s there if you want it, but you don’t have to go. What we have here is very special.”

As far as Kentucky cities go, Radcliff is young. Founded in 1956 and named for pioneering armored cavalry expert Maj. William Radcliffe, the city sprung up adjacent to the then-expanding Fort Knox.

“This is a relatively new city,” said state Rep. Michael Weaver, himself a retired U.S. Army colonel. “So when you come into this community to settle, especially for a military retiree, you are not competing with an established order that’s been here for the past 250 years. Because of our close proximity to Fort Knox, you have a lot of civil service employees and military retirees. Those groups include a lot of world travelers and a broad ethnic diversity. The result is that you have a wealth of knowledge and understanding you don’t find in other communities. I’ve traveled all over the world and back and haven’t found the compassion I’ve found here.”

“We are such a diverse community because we have the military,” said Toshie Murrell, principal broker at Network Realty in Radcliff. “That sets us apart and creates a great atmosphere. Here, you don’t have the cliques you see in other small cities. We’re close knit, because we’re accustomed to being that way. We’re down to earth and friendly.”

“The military influence has encouraged a very accepting and open-minded attitude here,” said state Sen. Elizabeth Tori, a long-time Radcliff resident. “I use the word ‘friendly,’ but it’s more than that. In Radcliff, people genuinely care for one another. If you see a car broken down by the side of the road, just watch and you’ll see that it’s just a matter of minutes before several people have stopped by and offered to help.

“The people of Radcliff won’t tolerate things like hate crimes and prejudice. They have not allowed these things to be a factor in our population.”

Since the attacks of September 11, the city has become even more close-knit.

“Many people here have family in the military or are retired military themselves,” Tori said. “There are a lot of people here who have been in harm’s way or who could be in harm’s way in a matter of days, on behalf of our country. They are genuine heroes. The love for our country is particularly intense here in Radcliff.”

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