The largest U.S. bullion depository is in what state?

Kentucky.

The largest U.S. bullion depository is located in the state of Kentucky. This depository is the United States Bullion Depository, more commonly known as Fort Knox. Fort Knox is located near the town of Elizabethtown and adjacent to the U.S. Army post of the same name, in north-central Kentucky. Established in 1937, Fort Knox is renowned for being one of the most secure facilities in the world, holding a significant portion of the United States‘ official gold reserves.

The depository was constructed to store gold during a time when the U.S. had accumulated a large stockpile of bullion, particularly during the Great Depression and after the gold confiscation order in 1933 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The facility is designed to be highly secure, with its building made of granite and reinforced steel. The vault door itself weighs over 20 tons, and the security measures in place make unauthorized access virtually impossible. In fact, Fort Knox has become a symbol of security and impenetrability in popular culture.

At its peak, Fort Knox held over 650 million ounces of gold. While this amount has varied over time due to shifts in U.S. monetary policy and international gold trading, it still contains a large reserve, accounting for a substantial percentage of the nation’s gold holdings. It is important to note that the gold stored at Fort Knox does not actively circulate; rather, it serves as a reserve asset. The U.S. Treasury Department oversees the depository, and the gold is part of the financial security of the United States, backing the country’s currency and financial commitments.

Fort Knox is not open to the public, and its contents are rarely seen by anyone outside of official inspections. The last time it was opened to civilians was in 1974 when a congressional delegation and select members of the press were allowed a brief tour to confirm its contents.