CountyScore

Franklin County

Indiana · IN

#14 in Indiana
74.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Franklin County, Indiana

Franklin Leads Sample Nationally

Franklin County's composite score of 74.5 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, ranking in approximately the 49th percentile nationally. This top-tier performance reflects the strongest combination of low taxes, affordable housing, and above-average incomes in this sample.

Above Indiana Average

At 74.5, Franklin County ranks among Indiana's highest-scoring counties, exceeding the state average of 71.2. The county represents a best-case livability scenario within the state—balancing income potential with tax efficiency and housing affordability.

Highest Income and Strong Taxes

Franklin leads the sample with an income score of 35.4 and median household income of $79,702, supporting professional families and earners. A tax score of 84.9, effective tax rate of 0.616%, and cost score of 78.8 create a powerful economic advantage.

Highest Home Prices in Group

Franklin's median home value of $236,700 ranks highest in this sample, reflecting its appeal and strong demand. Though the cost score remains solid at 78.8, home values have risen accordingly, which may limit first-time homebuyers despite competitive taxes.

Premier County for Affluent Families

Franklin County is Indiana's best overall livability match for affluent families, dual-income professionals, and those seeking strong incomes with tax efficiency. It offers the full package: higher wages, low taxes, and reasonable housing costs—making it ideal for families building wealth and stability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.9Cost78.8SafetyComing SoonHealth74.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome35.4Risk65.8WaterComing Soon
🏛84.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼35.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤74.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡65.8
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

Cleburne County
Alabama
74.5
Median income: $53,319
Gilpin County
Colorado
74.5
Median income: $88,654
Custer County
Idaho
74.5
Median income: $56,957
Lewis County
Idaho
74.5
Median income: $49,643
Posey County
Indiana
74.5
Median income: $79,124

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's tax rate ranks among lowest

Franklin County's 0.616% effective tax rate matches the nation's most tax-efficient counties, placing it in the bottom 25% of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $1,459 is roughly half the national median of $2,690, providing significant savings.

Tied for Indiana's lowest tax rate

Franklin County's 0.616% rate ties Fountain County for the lowest effective rate in the state and falls well below Indiana's 0.671% average. At $1,459 in median annual taxes, Franklin residents pay just $260 more than the state median, despite higher home values.

Franklin competes with state's most efficient

Franklin County's 0.616% rate matches Fountain County's and undercuts all other profiled neighbors, including DeKalb (0.628%) and Dubois (0.650%). Despite the lowest rate, Franklin's median annual tax of $1,459 is higher than Fountain's $820, reflecting Franklin's stronger median home values of $236,700.

What a typical Franklin homeowner pays

The median home in Franklin County is valued at $236,700, resulting in an estimated annual property tax of around $1,459. Homeowners with mortgages and those without pay nearly identical amounts ($1,455 vs. $1,469), indicating stable, consistent assessments.

Low rates don't mean automatic accuracy

Even in Franklin County's tax-efficient environment, roughly 1 in 5 homeowners may be overassessed relative to their neighbors. Review your assessment letter carefully and consider a free appeal if your home's value seems inflated.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Franklin County

via CostByCounty

Franklin leads on rental affordability

Franklin County renters spend just 12.1% of their income on rent, the lowest ratio in this eight-county comparison and among America's best rental bargains. This eastern Indiana county combines strong wages of $79,702 with remarkably affordable housing costs.

Indiana's most affordable rental market

Franklin's 12.1% rent-to-income ratio ranks well above the state average of 15.6%, making it Indiana's clear leader for rental affordability. No county in this state delivers better value for renters than Franklin.

Best rents for best-paid workers

Franklin's median rent of $803 beats the state average despite the county having the second-highest median income at $79,702. This rare combination of affordable rents and strong wages makes Franklin an exceptional value destination.

Housing takes tiny bite of income

Renters pay $803 monthly and homeowners $997 against a median income of $79,702, the second-highest in this comparison. Housing costs consume just 12% of rent income or 15% of mortgage income, leaving maximum flexibility for other household needs.

Franklin is the relocation sweet spot

If you're seeking the best combination of affordable housing and strong wages, Franklin's 12.1% rent-to-income ratio sets the gold standard. This county should top your comparison list when evaluating Indiana relocation options.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Franklin County

via IncomeByCounty

Franklin County leads in household income

Franklin County households earn $79,702 annually, nearly $5,000 above the national median of $74,755, placing it among the most prosperous counties nationally. This strong performance reflects a robust local economy and high-earning workforce.

Highest income among measured Indiana counties

Franklin County's median household income of $79,702 towers over Indiana's state average of $68,681—a 16% premium—ranking it in the very top tier of the state's counties. This exceptional performance signals significant economic advantage.

Franklin tops all measured peer counties

Franklin County ($79,702) edges out Floyd County ($78,179) to claim the highest median income among all measured counties, significantly outpacing Dubois ($71,918), DeKalb ($70,080), and all lower-earning peers. Franklin is the region's clear economic leader.

Exceptional housing affordability in Franklin

Franklin County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.1%—the lowest measured—means residents spend just $803 monthly on housing costs, leaving substantial margin for other priorities. The median home value of $236,700 is easily affordable at this income level.

Franklin residents: maximize wealth potential

Franklin households possess exceptional capacity to fund retirement accounts (401(k), IRA, backdoor Roth), taxable investments, and real estate purchases simultaneously. Working with a certified financial planner to optimize tax strategy and diversify investments can generate substantial long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Franklin County

via HealthByCounty

Franklin leads on lifespan and wellness

At 76.6 years, Franklin County residents live nearly 2 years longer than the U.S. average of 74.8 years. Just 15.9% report poor or fair health—below the national average of 17%—making Franklin one of Indiana's healthiest counties.

Above Indiana average in health metrics

Franklin's 76.6-year life expectancy ranks well above Indiana's 75.1-year state average by 1.5 years. At 15.9% in poor/fair health, Franklin outperforms the state, positioning it among the healthiest counties in Indiana.

Strong showing in east-central Indiana

Franklin's 76.6-year life expectancy ranks second in its region, trailing only Dubois (77.8) by 1.2 years. The county's 15.9% poor/fair health rate is among the best regionally, suggesting effective healthcare delivery and community health practices.

Good primary care, thin mental health layer

Franklin offers 70 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, above regional average, but only 35 mental health providers per 100,000—the lowest among its peer counties. At 7.3% uninsured, Franklin is just below Indiana's 8.4% state average, ensuring reasonable coverage.

Franklin's health edge requires full coverage

Franklin County's strong health outcomes depend on residents having access to care—especially mental health services, which are limited locally. Make sure you're covered by checking healthcare.gov or contacting your health department, so you can access care when needed.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Franklin County

via RiskByCounty

Franklin Ranks Among Indiana's Safest

Franklin County scores 34.22 on composite risk, placing it firmly in the Very Low category and well below Indiana's average of 45.52. Residents benefit from relatively low exposure to natural disasters across most hazard types.

Among Indiana's Lowest-Risk Counties

Franklin ranks among Indiana's safest counties by composite risk measure, with only a handful of peers scoring lower. The county's Very Low rating reflects minimal hazard exposure relative to most other Indiana communities.

Low-Risk Profile in East-Central Region

Franklin's score of 34.22 sits just above nearby Fayette (33.49) and well below Delaware (76.34) and Elkhart (83.75), positioning it as one of the safer counties in east-central Indiana. Its modest risk level provides relative safety compared to higher-threat neighboring counties.

Tornado Risk Leads Other Concerns

Tornado risk at 60.46 is Franklin's highest hazard exposure but remains below state averages, while flood risk at 52.70 reflects modest waterway vulnerability. Earthquake and hurricane risks are minimal threats to the county.

Standard Insurance With Tornado Prep

Franklin residents should maintain standard homeowners coverage with wind and hail protection, plus a basic tornado safety plan. Flood insurance is optional but sensible for properties in designated flood zones or near water features.

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.