CountyScore

Franklin County

Maine · ME

#1 in Maine
70.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Franklin County, Maine

Top-tier livability, 41% above national median

Franklin's composite score of 70.5 ranks it among Maine's best and well ahead of the national median of 50.0. This strong performance demonstrates that rural Western Maine offers livability advantages comparable to much wealthier regions.

Maine's second-highest livability ranking

At 70.5, Franklin exceeds Maine's state average of 66.9, placing it second in the state only to Lincoln County. The achievement reflects a rare blend of low costs, reasonable taxes, and manageable economic risks in a rural setting.

Tax efficiency and housing affordability excel

Franklin boasts Maine's lowest effective tax rate at 1.074% and a cost score of 82.5, with median home values of just $176,700 and rents at $759/month. Health outcomes score 73.8, meeting state averages for medical access and outcomes.

Incomes lag, but risks are managed

The income score of 21.6 reflects median household income of $58,522, about 37% below wealthy coastal counties. A risk score of 56.4 is Franklin's moderate concern, suggesting some exposure to economic or environmental volatility that residents should monitor.

Ideal for budget-first remote workers and retirees

Franklin is Maine's sweet spot for those seeking maximum affordability without sacrificing livability: low taxes, cheap housing, and steady health services make it perfect for remote earners or pensioners. The county delivers rural charm with manageable modern amenities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax72.1Cost82.5SafetyComing SoonHealth73.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.6Risk56.4WaterComing Soon
🏛72.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡56.4
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

Franklin County
Alabama
70.5
Median income: $51,493
Lauderdale County
Alabama
70.5
Median income: $59,082
Holmes County
Florida
70.5
Median income: $48,236
Fayette County
Indiana
70.5
Median income: $56,659
Smith County
Kansas
70.5
Median income: $57,024

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 standard

Franklin County's 1.074% effective tax rate falls modestly below the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the 45th percentile nationally. Residents pay $1,897 annually on a median home value of $176,700, well below the national median property tax of $2,690. Franklin offers one of Maine's more tax-friendly property tax environments.

Lowest tax rate in Maine

Franklin's 1.074% effective rate ranks lowest among all 16 Maine counties, undercutting the state average of 1.107% by 0.033 percentage points. The median property tax of $1,897 falls $701 below Maine's state median of $2,598. Franklin County provides Maine's most affordable tax burden relative to home values.

Most tax-friendly county in western Maine

Franklin's 1.074% rate substantially undercuts neighboring Androscoggin (1.256%) and Aroostook (1.223%) to the north and east. On a median $176,700 home, Franklin residents pay approximately $180 less annually than Androscoggin residents on similar properties. Franklin consistently delivers the region's most favorable tax rates.

Affordably taxed in Maine's heartland

A median Franklin home valued at $176,700 carries an estimated annual property tax of $1,897, among Maine's lowest. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,962, while those without mortgages pay approximately $1,818 annually. Over 30 years, that totals roughly $57,000 in property taxes—significantly below most Maine counties.

Even low-tax counties merit assessment checks

Franklin's competitive tax rates don't guarantee accurate individual assessments—errors occur in every county. Homeowners should verify their assessed value against recent comparable sales in their town or neighborhood. Filing an appeal costs nothing and can reduce your annual tax obligation for years to come.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Franklin County

via CostByCounty

Franklin offers Maine's tightest rent-to-income ratio

Franklin County renters spend just 15.6% of income on rent—the lowest ratio among all Maine counties and below both the state average (17.4%) and national average. This western county achieves remarkable affordability through low rents ($759) matched with reasonable median household income of $58,522.

Second-most affordable county in Maine

Franklin ranks second statewide for housing affordability, trailing only Aroostook with the second-lowest rent-to-income ratio and second-lowest median rent. The county offers genuine breathing room in housing budgets across Maine's affordability spectrum.

Mountain county beats coastal and rural rivals

Franklin's $759 rent edges slightly below Aroostook ($736) and sits notably below Hancock ($1,000), Kennebec ($952), and all coastal counties. Home values at $176,700 position Franklin between Aroostook's bargains and the pricier coastal markets.

Housing costs leave room for other priorities

Renters invest $759 monthly while homeowners pay $811, with a median income of $58,522 supporting both paths comfortably. At just 15.6% of income to rent, Franklin households retain the strongest discretionary purchasing power of any Maine county.

Franklin rewards those seeking real value

If you're relocating to Maine and want genuine affordability with access to hiking, lakes, and small-town charm, Franklin delivers. The county's western mountain setting and low housing costs make it worth serious consideration against coastal alternatives.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Franklin County

via IncomeByCounty

Franklin County trails national income average

Franklin County's median household income of $58,522 falls $16,233 short of the national median of $74,755. The county reflects rural Maine's economic constraints and limited access to higher-wage industries.

Second-lowest income among Maine counties

Franklin County ranks 15th out of 16 Maine counties with a median household income of $58,522, just $8,350 above last-place Aroostook. The county struggles with limited economic diversification and employment opportunities.

Income below county benchmark averages

Franklin's $58,522 ranks below regional peer Kennebec County ($65,062) and significantly trails Hancock County ($69,630) to the northeast. The county faces headwinds in competing for higher-wage jobs.

Housing costs remain manageable and affordable

Franklin County has the lowest rent-to-income ratio in Maine at 15.6%, providing households substantial financial cushion despite lower incomes. With median home values at $176,700, homeownership remains attainable for median earners.

Build wealth through consistent, disciplined saving

Franklin County residents earning $58,522 can leverage their housing affordability advantage to free up dollars for savings and investing. Automated contributions to retirement accounts ensure wealth building even on moderate incomes.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Franklin County

via HealthByCounty

Franklin runs slightly ahead nationally

Franklin's 76.2-year life expectancy slightly exceeds the U.S. average of 76.4 years, placing it squarely in America's middle tier for longevity. The county's 14.5% poor/fair health rate tracks near national averages, suggesting typical health outcomes for a rural New England county. These figures reflect a baseline health status comparable to much of America.

Slight underperformance in Maine

Franklin's 76.2-year life expectancy falls just below Maine's state average of 76.7 years, placing it in the middle third of Maine counties. An 8.9% uninsured rate sits between the state average of 9.4%, suggesting moderate coverage gaps. With 104 primary care providers per 100K, Franklin offers reasonable but not exceptional access to frontline care.

Middle of the pack regionally

Franklin's 76.2-year life expectancy sits between lower-performing Androscoggin (75.0 years) and healthier Cumberland (79.5 years), marking it as a regional middler. Its 14.5% poor/fair health rate exceeds Hancock County's 12.8% but trails Aroostook's 16.7%, reflecting typical rural Maine challenges. Provider access at 104 primary care doctors per 100K is consistent with similar counties.

Moderate barriers to consistent care

Franklin's 8.9% uninsured rate means roughly 1 in 11 residents lacks health coverage, challenging access to preventive and emergency services. The county supports 104 primary care providers per 100K and 324 mental health providers per 100K—adequate but not abundant for a dispersed rural population. Many residents must travel considerable distances or delay care due to availability constraints.

Close the coverage gap this year

Nearly 9% of Franklin residents go uninsured, but marketplace plans and Medicaid options can make coverage affordable. Visit maine.gov/dhhs or healthcare.gov during open enrollment to find plans within your budget. Coverage is the foundation of better health—take action today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Franklin County

via RiskByCounty

Franklin County is Maine's safest

Franklin County's composite risk score of 43.64 sits notably below the national average, earning it a relatively low risk rating. This inland, mountainous county benefits from distance to the coast, resulting in modest tornado, wildfire, and earthquake risks.

Lowest risk among Maine counties

At 43.64, Franklin ranks as Maine's least risky county—23% below the state average of 56.75. The county's position in Maine's interior and higher elevation provides natural protection against many hazard types.

Significantly safer than coastal peers

Franklin's 43.64 score is roughly half that of coastal neighbors like Cumberland (77.00) and Aroostook (80.41). This dramatic difference reflects the protective effect of inland geography and distance from Atlantic hurricane pathways.

Hurricane risk still needs attention

Even inland Franklin faces hurricane risk at 80.85, your highest threat despite the county's relatively low overall score. Flood risk (52.99) ranks second, while tornado (12.37), wildfire (16.00), and earthquake (45.83) risks remain well below state averages.

Focus on hurricane and flood coverage

Prioritize windstorm and hurricane coverage in your policy, as the 80.85 hurricane risk still poses significant exposure despite Franklin's overall safety. Standard homeowners insurance often includes flood protection, but verify your policy details—your relatively low risk profile may mean lower premiums for solid coverage.

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.