CountyScore

Franklin County

Kansas · KS

#78 in Kansas
65.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Franklin County, Kansas

Franklin County Beats National Odds

Franklin County's composite score of 63.2 outperforms the national median of 50.0 by 26%, placing it solidly in the upper half of American counties. This reflects meaningful advantages in economic and housing factors.

Below Kansas Average

At 63.2, Franklin County's score falls below Kansas's 66.0 average, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of the state's counties. It represents a viable but less competitive option within this peer group.

Good Incomes, Moderate Taxes

Franklin County posts an income score of 30.5 with median household income of $72,142 and a tax score of 61.2 with an effective rate of 1.460%. These fundamentals support middle-class stability.

Cost Pressures, Incomplete Picture

The cost score of 72.9 is the lowest among these eight counties, with rents at $949/month and home values at $187,400 straining affordability. Missing data on health, safety, and schools prevents full livability assessment.

Steady Option for Middle-Income Workers

Franklin County appeals to middle-income families and workers seeking stable employment and reasonable—if not exceptional—living costs. It's a practical if unspectacular Kansas choice.

Score breakdown

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

Tax61.2Cost72.9SafetyComing SoonHealth73.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.5Risk56.3WaterComing Soon
🏛61.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠72.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡56.3
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

Garfield County
Colorado
65.2
Median income: $86,172
Effingham County
Georgia
65.2
Median income: $85,465
Kauai County
Hawaii
65.2
Median income: $93,612
Alexander County
Illinois
65.2
Median income: $43,523
Christian County
Illinois
65.2
Median income: $59,253

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 rate undercuts national median

Franklin County's 1.460% effective tax rate falls well below the national median of 2.690%, placing it in the bottom 40% of U.S. counties. The $2,737 median property tax nearly matches the national median of $2,690, despite lower home values, reflecting competitive tax structuring.

Just below Kansas state average

At 1.460%, Franklin County sits just below the Kansas state average of 1.549%, making it one of the more tax-friendly counties statewide. The $2,737 median tax exceeds the state median of $1,943, driven by Franklin County's above-average home values.

Competitive with regional counties

Franklin County's 1.460% rate compares favorably to Ford County (1.650%) and Elk County (1.988%), though it trails Ellis County's 1.223%. For a county with above-average property values, Franklin County delivers reasonable tax efficiency.

Median tax reaches $2,737 annually

On Franklin County's median home value of $187,400, homeowners pay an estimated $2,737 per year in property tax, rising to $2,901 with mortgage interest deductions. This is among the higher absolute tax amounts in the region, proportional to the county's property values.

Assessment appeals available to all homeowners

Franklin County residents facing unexpected tax increases should know that roughly 1 in 5 properties statewide carry inflated assessments and qualify for formal appeals. The county assessor can explain the appeal process if you believe your valuation exceeds current market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Franklin County

via CostByCounty

Franklin County housing moderately affordable

At 15.8%, Franklin County's rent-to-income ratio sits above the Kansas state average of 14.7% but remains reasonable in national context. Renters pay $949 monthly while earning a $72,142 median household income—slightly above regional peers and providing a modest affordability cushion.

Franklin County slightly above state average

Franklin County's 15.8% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the Kansas average of 14.7%, placing it among the state's moderately priced rental markets. At $949/month, rents run $162 above the Kansas median, though local incomes of $72,142 help offset the pressure.

Franklin County rents middle of pack

Franklin County's $949 rent ranks midway among regional peers—below Finney ($991) and Ford ($960) but above Ellis ($899) and Ellsworth ($705). Home values of $187,400 align with Finney County ($191,100), signaling comparable real estate markets in the region.

Homeowner costs stretch budgets tighter

Renters allocate 15.8% of income to housing, but homeowners face $1,206 monthly payments—the highest among regional peers. On a $72,142 income, Franklin County homebuyers commit significant resources to mortgages, leaving less flexibility for discretionary spending.

Franklin County for renters over buyers

Franklin County offers reasonable rental affordability, but homeowner costs are among the region's highest at $1,206 monthly. If considering a move here, weighing renting versus buying is critical—compare Franklin's homeownership burden to Ford County's more affordable $836 monthly alternative.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Franklin County

via IncomeByCounty

Franklin County income approaches nation

Franklin County's median household income of $72,142 trails the national median of $74,755 by $2,613. This 3.5% gap is negligible, placing Franklin among the strongest-earning rural counties in the nation.

Top earner in Kansas counties

At $72,142, Franklin County ranks among Kansas's highest median household incomes, exceeding the state average of $64,428 by $7,714. The county's 12% advantage reflects economic resilience and opportunity.

Co-leader among regional peers

Franklin County ($72,142) essentially ties Finney County ($72,437), trailing by just $295, and leads Ford County ($70,495) and all other neighbors. Franklin's performance places it at the top of this eight-county cluster.

Rising housing costs challenge budgets

Franklin County's 15.8% rent-to-income ratio shows moderate housing affordability, but median home values of $187,400 demand serious commitment. Residents balance strong incomes against elevated property costs typical of more developed areas.

Elite position enables wealth building

Franklin County's near-national income places residents in an ideal position for aggressive wealth strategies. Establish comprehensive financial plans including homeownership, retirement maximization, and investment diversification to secure generational prosperity.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Franklin County

via HealthByCounty

Franklin County approaches national health norms

Franklin County's 75.0-year life expectancy is about 5 years below the U.S. average of 80, though its 13.9% poor/fair health rate is notably better than many U.S. counties. This mixed profile suggests decent baseline health with room to close the longevity gap.

Franklin County holds steady near state average

Franklin County's 75.0-year life expectancy is just 0.4 years below the Kansas average of 75.4, placing it squarely in the state's middle range. Its 13.9% poor/fair health rate is better than most Kansas counties, indicating stronger-than-average wellness.

Franklin County outperforms regional peers

Franklin County's 75.0-year life expectancy and 13.9% poor/fair health rate both beat Elk County's (74.2, 20.4%) and are comparable to Ellsworth County's strong performance. Its 249 mental health providers per 100,000—highest in the region—suggest excellent behavioral health resources.

Low uninsured rate reflects strong coverage

At 8.8%, Franklin County's uninsured rate is the lowest among all counties analyzed and 2.7 points below the state average, indicating robust coverage infrastructure. With 42 primary care providers and 249 mental health providers per 100,000, residents have good access to both general and behavioral care.

Sustain Franklin County's coverage success

Franklin County's strong uninsured rate reflects smart health planning—continue this momentum by reviewing your coverage annually at Healthcare.gov. Strong coverage unlocks the preventive services that help Franklin County maintain its health advantage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Franklin County

via RiskByCounty

Franklin County faces moderate disaster risk

Franklin County's composite risk score of 43.73 and Relatively Low rating indicate considerably higher hazard exposure than the typical U.S. county. Residents experience roughly 50% more combined disaster risk than the national average.

Moderately above Kansas state average

At 43.73, Franklin County exceeds Kansas's state average of 29.89, placing it in the middle-to-upper range of the state's risk profile. Several adjacent counties face similar or greater exposure.

Comparable to nearby counties

Franklin County's risk aligns closely with neighboring Morris and Chase counties, reflecting shared exposure to tornado and flooding threats in east-central Kansas. Earthquake risk is somewhat elevated compared to immediate neighbors.

Tornadoes and flooding are primary concerns

Tornado risk scores 66.60 and flood risk reaches 48.00, making these Franklin County's most significant natural hazards. Wildfire at 50.22 and earthquake at 35.81 round out the county's multi-faceted risk profile.

Prioritize flood and tornado protection

Franklin County residents should secure comprehensive homeowners insurance with strong tornado coverage and a designated safe space or shelter. Flood insurance is highly recommended given the county's elevated flood risk and proximity to streams and rivers.

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.