CountyScore

Franklin County

Georgia · GA

#38 in Georgia
69.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Franklin County, Georgia

Strong national livability position

Franklin County scores 75.2, significantly outperforming the national median of 50.0 by 50%. This top-tier composite score reflects excellent performance in tax and cost dimensions that resonate across the country.

Best performer among peer counties

Franklin County ranks above Georgia's state average of 70.9 with a score of 75.2, placing it among the most livable in the state. The county stands out for balanced strength across multiple measured categories.

Housing affordability and low taxes

Franklin County's cost score of 85.5 is the highest in this group, with median home values at just $160,600 and rent at $778 monthly. The tax score of 80.7 and effective rate of 0.766% further enhance affordability.

Lower incomes limit earning potential

The income score of 17.5 reflects a median household income of $52,264, the lowest among these eight counties. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unavailable.

Perfect for cost-conscious rural settlers

Franklin County excels for families and retirees seeking maximum affordability with minimal tax burden. This county rewards those willing to trade higher incomes for genuinely cheap housing and living costs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.7Cost85.5SafetyComing SoonHealth55.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.5Risk66.9WaterComing Soon
🏛80.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤55.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡66.9
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

Lake and Peninsula Borough
Alaska
69.7
Median income: $64,000
Chicot County
Arkansas
69.7
Median income: $39,683
Elbert County
Colorado
69.7
Median income: $129,477
Park County
Colorado
69.7
Median income: $95,450
Gilmer County
Georgia
69.7
Median income: $72,542

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 County offers modest tax burden

Franklin County's effective tax rate of 0.766% runs below Georgia's state average of 0.898%, placing it in the more affordable tier of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $1,231 is less than half the national median of $2,690, reflecting both a low rate and modest home values.

Below-average taxes across Georgia

Franklin County ranks well below Georgia's state average effective rate of 0.898%, with its own rate of 0.766% putting homeowners in a favorable position statewide. The median tax of $1,231 is also below the state median of $1,529, making Franklin one of Georgia's more budget-friendly counties.

Among the cheapest in North Georgia

Franklin County's 0.766% rate beats Fulton County (0.892%) and Floyd County (0.804%), though it trails Gilmer County's exceptionally low 0.384%. For Northeast Georgia, Franklin offers solid tax value alongside smaller home values than neighboring Forsyth County.

Modest homes, minimal taxes

A typical Franklin County home valued at $160,600 generates $1,231 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that cost rises to roughly $1,406; without one, homeowners pay approximately $1,061.

Every dollar of savings counts

Even in lower-tax counties like Franklin, properties can be overassessed by the county appraiser, and homeowners who appeal may recover hundreds in annual savings. Georgia allows yearly assessment challenges—a quick review could determine if your property qualifies.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Franklin County

via CostByCounty

Franklin offers rare affordability advantage

Franklin County's 17.9% rent-to-income ratio beats the national standard, and at just $778 monthly rent, it's the cheapest rental market in this analysis. On a median income of $52,264—30% below the national median—Franklin residents enjoy genuine housing affordability.

Georgia's affordability champion

Franklin County's 17.9% rent-to-income ratio outperforms the state average of 18.6%, making it one of Georgia's most affordable counties. Renters here stretch their dollars further than most neighbors.

Franklin undercuts every regional peer

Franklin's $778 rent is $149 below state average and $194 cheaper than Gilmer County, the second-lowest in this group. This rural mountain county offers Georgia's most accessible entry point for budget-conscious renters.

Modest income supports minimal housing costs

Franklin renters allocate $778 monthly and homeowners just $587, totaling roughly 24% of the $52,264 median income toward housing. This leaves meaningful flexibility for other needs compared to higher-burden counties.

Franklin County suits downsize-and-save strategies

If you're leaving an expensive city and prioritize rock-bottom housing costs, Franklin County delivers Georgia's lowest rents without requiring high income to achieve affordability. Trade urban amenities for genuine financial breathing room.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Franklin County

via IncomeByCounty

Franklin County trails U.S. income average

At $52,264, Franklin County's median household income falls $22,491 below the national median of $74,755—a 30% gap. This places Franklin among lower-income counties nationally, suggesting economic challenges that require targeted workforce development.

Below Georgia average income

Franklin County's $52,264 income ranks below Georgia's state median of $60,488, placing it in the lower tier among the state's 159 counties. The $8,224 shortfall signals an economy with fewer high-wage employers than the state average.

Poorest among regional counties

At $52,264, Franklin County earns significantly less than nearby Gilmer ($72,542), Gordon ($61,997), and Glascock ($55,250) counties. This gap suggests structural economic disadvantages requiring local investment in job training and business recruitment.

Housing costs strain limited budgets

Franklin County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.9% remains below the 30% affordability threshold, yet the median home value of $160,600 still represents substantial commitment for households earning $52,264. Lower-income families here face tight monthly cash flow after housing expenses.

Prioritize emergency savings first

Franklin County households earning $52,264 should focus on building three-month emergency reserves before investing aggressively. Free or low-cost resources—employer 401(k) matches, high-yield savings accounts, and financial literacy programs—offer practical pathways to wealth accumulation even at modest income levels.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Franklin County

via HealthByCounty

Franklin County faces significant health gaps

At 72.1 years, Franklin County residents live more than 6 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. The county's 21.8% poor or fair health rate substantially exceeds the national average of 18%, indicating widespread health challenges.

Among Georgia's lowest life expectancies

Franklin County's 72.1-year life expectancy falls 1.2 years short of Georgia's 73.3-year average, placing it among the state's most vulnerable counties. The health disparity signals systemic challenges in access, prevention, and care quality.

Struggling worse than surrounding counties

Franklin County's 72.1-year life expectancy ranks below Floyd County (72.6 years) and Gordon County (73.1 years). With just 34 primary care providers per 100K—the lowest among neighboring counties—residents face significant barriers to preventive healthcare.

Uninsured and undersupported

Franklin County has the highest uninsured rate among these eight counties at 17.4%, nearly 2.4 percentage points above Georgia's average. The scarcity of primary care (34 per 100K) and mental health providers (73 per 100K) compounds access challenges for vulnerable residents.

Health coverage is within reach

With 17.4% uninsured, Franklin County needs urgent action—visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to find affordable coverage. Many residents qualify for Medicaid or marketplace subsidies that reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Franklin County

via RiskByCounty

Franklin County enjoys very low risk

Franklin County's composite risk score of 33.08 places it well below the national average and earns a "Very Low" risk rating. This favorable position doesn't mean zero disaster risk, but residents face significantly fewer hazard exposures than most American counties.

Safer than most Georgia counties

Franklin County's score of 33.08 sits slightly below Georgia's state average of 39.49, positioning it among the state's safer communities. This modest risk profile reflects the county's relative geographic isolation from major disaster corridors.

Clearly the safest county nearby

Franklin County's 33.08 score vastly outperforms surrounding counties like Forsyth (86.13) and Floyd (81.97), making it a notably safer location in north-central Georgia. This disparity underscores how localized disaster risk truly is across the state.

Hurricane risk the main concern

Franklin County's highest individual hazard risk is hurricane exposure at 68.59, still a meaningful concern despite the county's overall low composite score. Tornado risk trails at 53.75, while flood and earthquake risks remain comparatively modest at 43.10 and 63.14 respectively.

Basic insurance suffices for most

Franklin County's low-risk profile means standard homeowners insurance provides adequate protection for most residents, though those near rivers or streams should verify flood coverage. Review your policy annually and maintain 80% replacement-cost coverage to ensure you're adequately protected.

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.