Elizabethtown, Kentucky sits 30 minutes south of Louisville along I-65, adjacent to Fort Knox and Radcliff. It’s one of the most affordable markets in the region — with property tax rates roughly 60% lower than comparable Illinois cities — and the school data is better than most people expect from a small Kentucky city. This guide ranks all 24 neighborhoods and communities in the Elizabethtown/Hardin County area by school rating and crime grade, with median prices so you can find the right fit at your actual budget.
Elite Tier: 9/10 School Rating
Four Elizabethtown neighborhoods earn the top school rating of 9/10 — and all four also carry an A crime grade. These are the best-performing areas in the entire Hardin County market on both school quality and safety, at prices that would be considered affordable in most major metros.
Freeman Creek Estates is the highest-priced neighborhood in the elite tier at $365,000 median — a newer development with larger lots on the eastern edge of Elizabethtown. Foxborough Estates ($340k) and Nicholas Ridge ($310k) offer similar school and crime grades with slightly more accessible prices. Pear Orchard at $295,000 is the best entry point into the 9/10 school tier.
Strong Tier: 8/10 School Rating
Eight neighborhoods earn an 8/10 school rating in Elizabethtown. All eight carry a B crime grade — a solid, family-friendly safety level. This tier covers a wide price range from $248,000 to $320,000, which makes it the most competitive segment of the market.
Freeman Lake Area ($320k) is the highest-priced neighborhood in this tier and one of the most desirable addresses in E-town, with access to Freeman Lake Park. Helmwood Heights ($248k) and Heartland ($255k) are the two most affordable 8/10 school neighborhoods in the market — strong value for buyers under $260,000.
Solid Tier: 7/10 School Rating
Four neighborhoods earn a 7/10 school rating. This is above-average for the region and represents solid value, particularly at lower price points. Crime grades in this tier range from B to C.
Best Value: Good Schools Under $260k
For buyers with a tighter budget who still want solid schools, these neighborhoods offer the best school rating per dollar in the Elizabethtown market.
Full Rankings Table — All 24 Neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | School Rating | Crime Grade | Median Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pear Orchard | 9/10 | A | $295,000 |
| Nicholas Ridge | 9/10 | A | $310,000 |
| Foxborough Estates | 9/10 | A | $340,000 |
| Freeman Creek Estates | 9/10 | A | $365,000 |
| Helmwood Heights | 8/10 | B | $248,000 |
| Heartland | 8/10 | B | $255,000 |
| The Cedars | 8/10 | B | $265,000 |
| Triple Crown | 8/10 | B | $272,000 |
| Woodland Hills | 8/10 | B | $275,000 |
| Thousand Oaks | 8/10 | B | $285,000 |
| Covington Ridge | 8/10 | B | $298,000 |
| Freeman Lake Area | 8/10 | B | $320,000 |
| Ring Road Corridor | 7/10 | C | $215,000 |
| North Elizabethtown | 7/10 | C | $225,000 |
| Hilltop Terrace | 7/10 | B | $240,000 |
| Winding Springs | 7/10 | B | $252,000 |
| West Point | 6/10 | B | $148,000 |
| South Radcliff | 6/10 | C | $152,000 |
| Vine Grove | 6/10 | B | $182,000 |
| Cecilia | 6/10 | B | $185,000 |
| Rineyville | 6/10 | B | $188,000 |
| North Radcliff | 6/10 | C | $190,000 |
| Foxwood | 6/10 | C | $200,000 |
| Downtown Elizabethtown | 6/10 | C | $224,922 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Elizabethtown KY neighborhood has the best schools?
Pear Orchard, Nicholas Ridge, Foxborough Estates, and Freeman Creek Estates all earn the top school rating of 9/10 in Elizabethtown. All four also carry an A crime grade. Prices range from $295,000 to $365,000, making them significantly more affordable than comparable-quality neighborhoods in Louisville or Nashville.
What is the safest neighborhood in Elizabethtown KY?
The four neighborhoods with A crime grades are Pear Orchard, Nicholas Ridge, Foxborough Estates, and Freeman Creek Estates — all in the 9/10 school tier. Among more affordable options, Winding Springs (7/10 schools, B crime, $252k) and Hilltop Terrace (7/10, B, $240k) offer solid safety at lower price points.
What are the best neighborhoods near Fort Knox for military families?
Military families stationed at Fort Knox typically look at neighborhoods in both Elizabethtown and Radcliff (which borders the base). For school quality and safety, north and east Elizabethtown neighborhoods like Helmwood Heights, Heartland, Pear Orchard, and Nicholas Ridge are the top picks. Radcliff is closer to the base but has lower school ratings and more C crime grades. The commute from most Elizabethtown neighborhoods to Fort Knox gates is 10–20 minutes.
What can I buy under $250,000 in Elizabethtown?
Under $250,000, the best school and safety options are Helmwood Heights (8/10, B, $248k), Hilltop Terrace (7/10, B, $240k), Winding Springs (7/10, B, $252k — just above), and Ring Road Corridor (7/10, C, $215k). North Elizabethtown (7/10, C, $225k) is also in this range.
Is Elizabethtown KY a good place to raise a family?
Yes — Elizabethtown is consistently one of the most family-friendly small cities in Kentucky. The majority of neighborhoods earn 7/10 or higher school ratings, property taxes are among the lowest in the region (0.749% effective rate vs. 1.9%+ in Illinois), and the cost of living is well below national averages. The city is 30 minutes south of Louisville on I-65.
How do Elizabethtown property taxes compare to other cities?
Elizabethtown’s effective property tax rate is approximately 0.749%, compared to the U.S. average of 0.888%. On a $300,000 home that’s about $2,247/year. Compare that to Edwardsville, IL at nearly $8,000/year on the same home, or the national average of about $2,664/year. Use the property tax comparison tool to run your specific city and home price.
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