CountyScore

Franklin County

Kentucky · KY

#95 in Kentucky
67.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Franklin County, Kentucky

Above Average, Below State Peer

Franklin County scores 71.0 on the livability index, well above the national median of 50.0 but below Kentucky's average of 75.0. This reflects the mixed profile of a state capital region.

Just Below Kentucky Average

At 71.0, Franklin County falls slightly below the state average of 75.0, placing it in the middle of Kentucky's livability rankings. It's a respectable but not top-tier performer within the state.

Strong Incomes Drive Value

Franklin County's income score of 26.8 supports a median household income of $66,470, among the stronger earners in this comparison. Its tax score of 78.6 and 0.842% effective rate keep costs reasonable.

Housing Costs Moderate Affordability

The cost score of 76.4 reflects median rent at $946 and median home values of $198,700, notably higher than rural peers. Limited data on health, schools, and safety obscures the full livability picture.

Balanced for Middle-Class Families

Franklin County suits working families and professionals seeking moderate incomes with reasonable housing costs. It's best for those wanting Kentucky's capital region without paying premium urban prices.

Score breakdown

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

Tax78.6Cost76.4SafetyComing SoonHealth70.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.8Risk35.5WaterComing Soon
🏛78.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡35.5
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

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Bonneville County
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Median income: $76,646
Bell County
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Median income: $32,403
St. Mary Parish
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Median income: $51,768

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 taxes well below national average

Franklin County's 0.842% effective tax rate is roughly one-third the national property tax burden, placing it in the bottom 35% nationally. The median tax of $1,672 is still 38% below the national median of $2,690.

Above average among Kentucky counties

At 0.842%, Franklin County's rate exceeds Kentucky's 0.719% state average by more than 10%, ranking it in the upper tier of state counties. Its median tax of $1,672 is 53% higher than the state median of $1,093, reflecting higher property values in the Frankfort region.

Higher rate than surrounding counties

Franklin County's 0.842% rate significantly exceeds nearby Garrard County (0.720%) and Gallatin County (0.808%), though remains slightly below Fayette County's 0.891%. The higher rate reflects Franklin's status as Kentucky's capital, with corresponding property values and services.

Median home costs $1,672 annually

A homeowner with Franklin County's median property value of $198,700 pays roughly $1,672 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, the escrow-included payment typically reaches about $1,857 annually.

Verify your property's assessed value

Franklin County property owners should periodically verify their assessments against recent comparable sales in their neighborhood. If your assessed value appears inflated, filing an appeal with the assessor's office could reduce your annual tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Franklin County

via CostByCounty

Franklin balances income and costs

Franklin County's 17.1% rent-to-income ratio nearly matches Kentucky's state average of 17.0%, positioning it as a moderate-affordability market where housing doesn't dominate the budget. Median household income of $66,470 runs 11% below the national average, yet rents at $946/month stay reasonable for a county that includes Frankfort, Kentucky's capital.

State-average affordability in capital

Franklin County's 17.1% rent-to-income ratio practically matches Kentucky's statewide average, making it a bellwether of typical state affordability. Rents of $946/month run 23% above the state median of $771, reflecting Frankfort's status as a regional employment and government center.

Urban advantages over rural peers

Franklin's $946 rent sits between rural Fleming ($677) and Fayette County's urban premium ($1,101), offering a middle ground with better job diversity than surrounding counties. At 17.1%, Franklin's affordability ratio competes favorably with Garrard (15.2%) and Fleming (16.4%) while delivering more income opportunities than truly rural alternatives.

Capital city housing balance

Franklin households earning $66,470 annually spend $946 on rent (17.1% of income) or $982 on mortgage payments for homes valued near $198,700. This moderate burden leaves adequate income for savings and other priorities, supported by government and service-sector employment opportunities in Frankfort.

Franklin offers capital-city stability

Franklin County delivers state-average affordability paired with Frankfort's stable government employment market, making it an appealing option for those seeking moderate housing costs with reliable income prospects. At 17.1% rent-to-income, you're paying modestly for the advantage of a capital city's job diversity and community services.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Franklin County

via IncomeByCounty

Franklin approaches national income average

Franklin County's median household income of $66,470 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by just $8,285, placing it within 11% of national parity. Franklin ranks solidly above the median for American counties.

Second-highest in Kentucky

Franklin's income of $66,470 ranks second statewide behind Fayette County, exceeding Kentucky's average of $55,909 by nearly $10,561. Its per capita income of $40,031 substantially outpaces the state average of $29,616.

Strong earner, just behind Fayette

Franklin ($66,470) trails only Fayette ($67,631) among the eight counties profiled, and outearns all others including Gallatin ($62,247) and Garrard ($62,572). Franklin benefits from its role as Kentucky's capital and government center.

Income supports homeownership well

Franklin's rent-to-income ratio of 17.1% sits comfortably below concerning thresholds, leaving households room for savings. Median home values of $198,700 remain achievable for dual-earner households at the median income.

Franklin's income enables serious investing

With $66,470 median household income, Franklin residents can prioritize retirement savings, education funds, and investment diversification. Maximizing employer retirement matches and exploring tax-advantaged accounts accelerates long-term wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Franklin County

via HealthByCounty

Franklin's health trends slightly below average

At 73.0 years, Franklin County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.1 years by 3.1 years. With 18.1% reporting poor or fair health—just above the national average of 18%—the county shows more moderate health challenges than rural peers.

Above Kentucky's average by slim margin

Franklin's 73.0-year life expectancy edges ahead of Kentucky's 72.2-year state average by 0.8 years. Its 18.1% poor/fair health rate ranks among the better outcomes in this county cohort, suggesting more stable healthcare access as the state capital's home.

A healthier hub serving the region

Franklin's 73.0-year life expectancy outpaces most rural neighbors including Estill (69.5), Fleming (72.6), and Gallatin (71.6). Its 18.1% poor/fair health rate reflects the stabilizing effect of Frankfort's urban infrastructure and government employment base.

Moderate provider access, lowest uninsured

Franklin has 37 primary care providers and 211 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—modest but functional. At 6.5% uninsured, Franklin boasts the lowest uninsured rate among these counties, meaning more residents can access routine and preventive care.

Stay covered and protect your health

Even in Franklin County's relatively strong market, 6.5% remain uninsured—visit kynect.ky.gov to ensure continuous coverage. Health insurance protects both your wellbeing and finances, keeping routine care accessible year-round.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Franklin County

via RiskByCounty

Franklin moderately elevated above national average

Franklin County's composite risk score of 64.47 sits notably above the national average, indicating elevated natural disaster exposure across multiple hazard types. While not among the nation's highest-risk counties, Franklin faces meaningful multi-hazard threats that warrant preparation.

Above-average risk within Kentucky

Franklin's score of 64.47 exceeds Kentucky's state average of 44.21 by roughly 46%, placing it in the state's upper-middle risk tier. The county faces more exposure than most Kentucky counties but less than the state's highest-risk areas.

Higher risk than surrounding central counties

Franklin's risk profile (64.47) significantly exceeds neighboring Gallatin County (17.27) and Garrard County (30.25), though it sits well below Fayette County (92.05) immediately to the north. The county occupies a transitional risk zone in central Kentucky.

Tornadoes and flooding drive risk profile

Franklin faces extreme tornado risk with a score of 84.92—among Kentucky's highest—driven by its central location in a tornado-prone corridor. Flood risk (70.96) follows closely, threatening properties near waterways and in low-lying areas across the county.

Tornado and flood protection essential

Franklin County residents should ensure homeowner policies include comprehensive tornado, wind, and hail coverage given the county's elevated exposure. Flood insurance is strongly recommended for any properties in or near mapped flood zones.

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.