CountyScore

Franklin County

Florida · FL

#15 in Florida
68.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Franklin County, Florida

Franklin ranks in top 48 percent nationally

Franklin County's composite score of 74.0 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 88th percentile nationwide. This 48% outperformance demonstrates strong overall livability and positions Franklin among the nation's better-ranked counties.

Franklin leads Florida's county rankings

With a score of 74.0, Franklin County surpasses Florida's state average of 69.4 and ranks in the upper tier of the state's 67 counties. This strong state standing reflects consistently above-average performance across available dimensions.

Exceptional affordability and low taxes shine

Franklin County excels in both tax efficiency (84.9 score, 0.618% effective tax rate) and housing affordability (78.2 cost score, $1,044 median rent, $254,300 median home value). These dual strengths make Franklin one of Florida's most economically accessible counties.

Income levels present a tradeoff

Franklin's income score of 24.3 reflects a median household income of $62,734, the county's most significant weakness relative to its other strengths. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data are not yet available, preventing fuller assessment.

Ideal for budget-conscious families seeking value

Franklin County appeals to families and individuals prioritizing low housing costs and tax burden over high local wages, particularly those with alternative income sources. Its combination of affordability and livability makes it attractive to retirees, remote workers, and value-focused homebuyers.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax84.9Cost78.2SafetyComing SoonHealth57.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.3Risk53.5WaterComing Soon
🏛84.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤57.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡53.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Franklin County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Calhoun County
Alabama
68.1
Median income: $55,826
Dallas County
Alabama
68.1
Median income: $36,810
Houston County
Alabama
68.1
Median income: $57,531
Pope County
Arkansas
68.1
Median income: $54,606
Summit County
Colorado
68.1
Median income: $106,255

Deep Dives

Franklin County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Franklin County

via TaxByCounty

Franklin's tax rate is well below average

Franklin County's effective tax rate of 0.618% sits 15% below Florida's state average of 0.731% and significantly below the national median. The median property tax of $1,572 is substantially lower than the national median of $2,690, giving Franklin residents a real tax advantage.

Among Florida's lowest-tax counties

Franklin ranks in the bottom quarter of Florida counties for property tax burden at just 0.618% effective rate. Its median tax of $1,572 is 17% below the state average of $1,885, making it one of the most affordable counties in Florida.

Cheaper taxes than Flagler and Gulf

Franklin County's 0.618% rate beats both Flagler (0.788%) and Gulf County (0.566%) slightly, but Franklin pays less total tax due to lower home values. A median-valued home here costs $254,300—lower than Flagler's $333,400—resulting in one of the region's most affordable tax bills.

Median home: just $1,572 in annual taxes

A homeowner in Franklin County with a median-valued $254,300 home pays roughly $1,572 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, the bill is $1,619; without one, it drops to $1,535—among the lowest in the state.

Appeal your assessment if values shifted

Even in low-tax Franklin County, properties can be overassessed relative to current market conditions. If your home's assessed value hasn't moved in several years while neighborhood sales dropped, a Value Adjustment Board appeal could free up hundreds annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Franklin County

via CostByCounty

Franklin keeps housing affordable

Franklin County residents spend just 20% of income on rent, well below the national affordability threshold and lower than most U.S. counties. With a median household income of $62,734 and rent at $1,044 monthly, Franklin offers one of Florida's most balanced housing markets.

Franklin leads Florida affordability

At 20% rent-to-income, Franklin ranks among Florida's most affordable counties, beating the state average of 22.5% by a meaningful margin. The county's $1,044 median rent falls $189 below the state median, marking Franklin as a rare affordability bright spot in Florida's housing landscape.

Franklin's rental advantage

Franklin County's $1,044 rent is the lowest among its comparable peers, undershooting Gadsden ($792 in a poorer county), Gulf ($1,161), and Flagler ($1,687) significantly. This combination of low rent and reasonable income makes Franklin especially attractive for budget-conscious renters seeking coastal access.

Franklin's balanced budget

Renters spend $1,044 monthly from a $62,734 median household income, leaving 80% of earnings for taxes, food, utilities, and savings. Homeowners encounter median monthly costs of $737 (14.1% of income), with a median home value of $254,300 that rewards both investors and families.

Franklin: Florida's hidden affordability

If you're relocating to Florida without coastal luxury demands, Franklin County delivers genuine affordability rarely found in the state. The county's below-average housing burden leaves more room in your budget for building wealth and enjoying the Gulf Coast lifestyle.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Franklin County

via IncomeByCounty

Franklin's income lags national benchmark

Franklin County's median household income of $62,734 trails the national median of $74,755 by about $12,000, placing it below the U.S. average. The county's per capita income of $33,893 also falls short of national figures, reflecting a more modest earning structure.

Moderate earner within Florida

Franklin's median household income of $62,734 sits about 4.2% below Florida's state average of $65,468, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of Florida counties. The county's per capita income of $33,893 exceeds the state average of $35,698, suggesting more balanced earnings distribution despite lower overall incomes.

Franklin competes with Gulf Coast counties

Franklin's $62,734 median household income aligns closely with other small Gulf Coast counties like Gilchrist ($61,070) but trails Gulf County ($67,361). The county's earnings reflect its rural, coastal economy where income growth has been steady but modest compared to faster-developing regions.

Excellent housing affordability advantage

Franklin's rent-to-income ratio of 20.0% is among the lowest in Florida, well below the 30% affordability threshold, making housing costs highly manageable. A median home value of $254,300 paired with lower household incomes creates genuine affordability for residents who can access stable employment.

Maximize savings with low housing costs

Franklin's low housing burden leaves households more money for savings, investing, and building wealth compared to higher-cost counties. Focus on stabilizing income through skill development and exploring side income opportunities to accelerate financial progress.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Franklin County

via HealthByCounty

Franklin's health lags U.S. benchmarks

At 75.1 years, Franklin County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.1 years by a full year. One in five residents (20.5%) report poor or fair health, exceeding the national average of 17.8%.

Challenges persist below state average

Franklin's 75.1-year life expectancy falls short of Florida's state average of 75.8 years, and its uninsured rate of 19.7% is significantly higher than the state's 14.4%. These gaps point to structural healthcare access challenges in the county.

Struggling compared to regional peers

Franklin's 75.1-year life expectancy ranks below Gulf County (74.3 years) and Gilchrist County (74.9 years), and its 19.7% uninsured rate is the highest among these eight counties. Mental health providers are relatively abundant at 103 per 100,000, but primary care access remains limited at 32 per 100,000.

Primary care access thinly stretched

Franklin has just 32 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—among the lowest in this group—making routine care harder to access. With nearly one in five residents uninsured, affordability compounds the challenge of connecting people to the limited provider base.

Getting covered improves your options

Franklin's nearly 20% uninsured rate means thousands lack access to preventive care and routine check-ups that catch problems early. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to find an affordable plan—it's the first step toward better health outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Franklin County

via RiskByCounty

Franklin County enjoys relatively low risk

Franklin County's composite risk score of 46.53 places it well below the national average, earning a relatively low risk rating. Despite coastal exposure, the county's risk profile remains manageable compared to most U.S. counties.

Among Florida's safest counties

Franklin County's score of 46.53 sits significantly below Florida's state average of 75.74, making it one of the safer counties in the state. This favorable standing reflects lower tornado and earthquake exposure than most peers.

Lower risk than Gulf Coast neighbors

Franklin County's 46.53 score beats Gulf County (59.54) and Wakulla County, positioning it as a relative refuge on Florida's northwestern coast. However, hurricane risk of 90.49 remains substantial and demands respect.

Hurricanes and flood dominate exposure

Hurricane risk of 90.49 is Franklin's primary concern, paired with flood risk of 77.40 that reflects the county's coastal and low-lying geography. Wildfire risk of 77.64 rounds out a trio of moderate-to-high hazards.

Secure hurricane and flood insurance

Despite lower overall risk, Franklin residents should maintain windstorm/hurricane coverage given the 90.49 risk score. Flood insurance is essential, particularly for properties in coastal zones or near water bodies vulnerable to storm surge.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.