Franklin City scores 70.0 on the CountyScore index, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by 40 percent. This strong national ranking suggests the city offers livability advantages compared to most American communities.
2 / 5
Matches Virginia's Average Performance
With a composite score of 70.0, Franklin City aligns closely with Virginia's state average of 70.3. The city ranks in the middle tier statewide, representing a typical Virginia livability profile.
3 / 5
Affordable Housing and Low Taxes
Franklin City offers a cost score of 72.4 with median home values at $227,200 and rents at $995 monthly, providing good housing accessibility. The tax score of 81.5 with an effective rate of 0.738% adds meaningful financial relief for residents.
4 / 5
Limited Local Earning Potential
The city's income score of 25.9 reflects median household earnings of just $65,125, notably below state averages. Limited high-wage employment opportunities may require residents to commute for better-paying work.
5 / 5
Fits Budget-Aware, Flexible Professionals
Franklin City works best for remote workers, retirees, and those willing to commute for employment while enjoying low-cost living. The city's affordability and tax advantages appeal to residents prioritizing financial flexibility over local job markets.
Franklin City scores 70.0 on the CountyScore index, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by 40 percent. This strong national ranking suggests the city offers livability advantages compared to most American communities.
Matches Virginia's Average Performance
With a composite score of 70.0, Franklin City aligns closely with Virginia's state average of 70.3. The city ranks in the middle tier statewide, representing a typical Virginia livability profile.
Affordable Housing and Low Taxes
Franklin City offers a cost score of 72.4 with median home values at $227,200 and rents at $995 monthly, providing good housing accessibility. The tax score of 81.5 with an effective rate of 0.738% adds meaningful financial relief for residents.
Limited Local Earning Potential
The city's income score of 25.9 reflects median household earnings of just $65,125, notably below state averages. Limited high-wage employment opportunities may require residents to commute for better-paying work.
Fits Budget-Aware, Flexible Professionals
Franklin City works best for remote workers, retirees, and those willing to commute for employment while enjoying low-cost living. The city's affordability and tax advantages appeal to residents prioritizing financial flexibility over local job markets.
Score breakdown
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🏛81.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.738%, Franklin city's effective tax rate surpasses the national median of 0.579% by 27%, placing it in the 70th percentile nationally. Though median property taxes are $1,677—below the national median of $2,690—the tax rate itself is substantial relative to national benchmarks.
Franklin city ranks second-highest in state
Franklin city's 0.738% effective rate ranks second in Virginia, trailing only Fauquier County (0.770%) and well above the state average of 0.671%. This places the city among Virginia's highest-taxing jurisdictions despite lower median home values than state averages.
Franklin city taxes exceed regional averages
Franklin city's 0.738% rate significantly surpasses neighboring Franklin County (0.533%) and beats most surrounding regions in the Piedmont. This makes Franklin city one of the most tax-heavy small cities in its geographic area.
Franklin city residents pay $1,677 yearly
With a median home value of $227,200 and a 0.738% effective rate, typical Franklin city homeowners pay approximately $1,677 in annual property taxes. Despite modest home values, the high tax rate means residents shoulder a notably heavier burden than surrounding counties.
Franklin city homeowners should appeal assessments
High effective rates combined with modest property values suggest some Franklin city assessments may be elevated—especially older properties valued before recent market shifts. Requesting a reassessment review could reveal significant overpayment opportunities.
Franklin city renters spend 18.3% of income on housing, nearly matching the Virginia average of 18.6% and just above comfortable affordability. The median household income of $65,125 falls below the national median ($74,755), making housing more challenging on lower regional wages.
Moderate Affordability Challenge
Franklin city's rent-to-income ratio of 18.3% ranks slightly better than Virginia's state average of 18.6%, though affordability pressures remain visible. The city's income levels lag state norms, intensifying the impact of housing costs on household budgets.
Similar to Regional Average
Franklin city's $995 median rent positions it between rural counties like Floyd ($826) and more expensive Northern Virginia markets. At $65,125, the median income here edges below Franklin County ($68,348) but exceeds the most rural areas.
Housing Takes Significant Share
Franklin city renters spend $995 monthly while homeowners pay $1,180, claiming 18.3% of median household income for rent. This approach of housing costs leaves less income cushion for other expenses compared to more affordable Virginia regions.
Franklin Suits Income-Stable Relocators
Consider Franklin city if you're relocating with stable income that exceeds the local $65,125 median—your housing burden would drop significantly. Compare the 18.3% rent-to-income ratio here against your current market to evaluate potential savings.
Franklin city's median household income of $65,125 is 13% below the national median of $74,755. As an independent city in rural Southside Virginia, Franklin faces income challenges typical of post-industrial communities.
Franklin ranks among lower Virginia cities
Franklin's median household income of $65,125 falls 13% below Virginia's state average of $74,957, placing it among the lower-earning municipalities in the state. Per capita income of $31,838 trails the state average by 19%.
Franklin earns less than nearby counties
Franklin city households earn $3,223 less annually than Franklin County ($68,348) and $26,834 less than Frederick County ($95,603). Lower housing costs ($227,200 median home value) provide some offset to the income gap.
Housing affordability strains budgets
At 18.3%, Franklin's rent-to-income ratio approaches the affordability threshold of 30%, indicating that housing costs consume a larger share of household earnings than in higher-income areas. Rising rents could push more households into housing affordability stress.
Prioritize emergency funds first
Franklin residents earning $65,125 annually should focus on building a 3-6 month emergency fund before pursuing other investments. Securing stable employment and exploring skill-building opportunities can increase earning potential over time.
Franklin City's life expectancy of 66.7 years ranks among the lowest in the nation, trailing the U.S. average by over 12 years and signaling a severe public health emergency. With 23.1% of residents reporting poor or fair health, Franklin City faces health burdens far exceeding national norms.
Lowest life expectancy in Virginia
Franklin City's 66.7-year life expectancy falls dramatically below Virginia's state average of 75.1 years—a gap of 8.4 years that reflects acute socioeconomic and health infrastructure challenges. The city's 23.1% poor/fair health rate is among the worst statewide, indicating urgent public health intervention is needed.
Health crisis distinct from surrounding areas
Franklin City's 66.7-year life expectancy is drastically lower than Franklin County's 75.7 years and all surrounding Piedmont communities, indicating localized health disparities. Despite having 110 primary care providers per 100K residents—the highest in the region—outcomes remain severely compromised, suggesting barriers beyond provider availability.
High uninsured rate compounds health challenges
Franklin City's 7.2% uninsured rate is slightly below the state average, yet 23.1% of residents report poor health, suggesting insurance alone doesn't address deeper health crises. The city's abundance of primary care providers (110 per 100K) and mental health specialists (252 per 100K) hasn't translated into healthy outcomes, pointing to access barriers or systemic health challenges.
Secure your health insurance today
Franklin City needs every resident covered and engaged in care. Visit healthcare.gov to review options and ensure you have the coverage needed to address health challenges in your community.
Franklin city's composite risk score of 7.54 places it firmly in the very low category—only one-fifth of Virginia's state average of 33.27. The small city's urban footprint and hazard geography combine to create one of the state's safer communities.
Franklin city ranks among Virginia's safest
With a composite score of 7.54 compared to the state average of 33.27, Franklin city is one of the state's lowest-risk jurisdictions. The city's compact size and inland position provide substantial protection from multiple hazard categories.
Franklin city is slightly lower-risk than neighbors
Franklin city's 7.54 score matches Fredericksburg city (8.71) and sits below Fluvanna (13.49) and Franklin County (42.72). The two cities benefit from similar urban characteristics that reduce composite hazard exposure.
Hurricane risk dominates the threat profile
Franklin city's one notable vulnerability is hurricane risk (78.85)—among the highest in Virginia—despite its inland location, reflecting exposure to tropical moisture and remnant systems. Earthquake (36.55) and tornado (19.91) risks remain low, while flood (16.60) and wildfire (2.07) are minimal.
Hurricane preparedness takes priority here
Franklin city residents should focus hurricane preparation efforts—ensuring insurance covers wind damage and verifying policy limits before storm season. Given the city's exceptionally low flood and wildfire risks, standard homeowners coverage is generally sufficient for other hazards.