CountyScore

Franklin County

North Carolina · NC

#37 in North Carolina
68.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Franklin County, North Carolina

Franklin ranks well above national median

Franklin County scores 71.5 on the composite index, significantly exceeding the national median of 50.0 and placing it in the 72nd percentile nationally. This strong showing reflects a well-balanced profile across multiple livability dimensions. Franklin is positioned above most American counties and slightly below North Carolina's state average of 72.7.

Slightly below state average, strong performer

At 71.5, Franklin ranks just 1.2 points below North Carolina's state average of 72.7, securing a position in the upper tier of NC counties. The county's near-parity with the state average signals consistent strength across measured categories. Franklin competes favorably with more developed counties while maintaining affordability advantages.

Lowest taxes, solid income, good value

Franklin excels with the lowest effective tax rate among these eight counties at 0.719%, earning a Tax Score of 82.0, and boasts a median household income of $71,386 with an Income Score of 30.0. The Cost Score of 73.9 reflects reasonable housing costs ($988/month rent, $240,900 median home value) for a county this economically sound. This balanced combination makes Franklin attractive to middle-to-upper-income households.

Safety, schools, health data unavailable

Franklin lacks data on safety, health, schools, and environmental risk—critical factors for families making relocation decisions. These gaps prevent a complete assessment of true livability beyond finances. Prospective residents must research schools and neighborhood safety independently before committing.

Best for earners valuing tax efficiency

Franklin County is ideal for higher-income families and professionals seeking tax efficiency and strong household earnings without excessive housing costs. The county's combination of lowest-in-group tax rates and above-average incomes appeals to those maximizing take-home pay. Remote workers and business owners will particularly value Franklin's favorable tax environment and moderate housing prices.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82Cost73.9SafetyComing SoonHealth67.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome30Risk48.3WaterComing Soon
🏛82
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠73.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡48.3
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

DeKalb County
Alabama
68.5
Median income: $51,149
Russell County
Alabama
68.5
Median income: $50,046
Talladega County
Alabama
68.5
Median income: $56,249
Dodge County
Georgia
68.5
Median income: $50,152
Rice County
Kansas
68.5
Median income: $63,947

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 modestly by national standards

At 0.719%, Franklin's effective tax rate is below the national median of 0.86%, placing it roughly in the 40th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $1,732 reflects Franklin's median home value of $240,900, approaching the national median of $281,900.

Franklin near state average

Franklin's effective rate of 0.719% is virtually identical to North Carolina's average of 0.701%, making it a typical North Carolina county by tax burden. The median property tax of $1,732 is notably higher than the state average of $1,433, driven by above-average home values.

Franklin among lowest-taxed in region

Franklin's 0.719% rate ties Granville County and sits below neighbors like Greene (0.868%) and Forsyth (0.849%). Only Graham County's 0.540% is significantly lower, making Franklin one of the more tax-friendly counties in the central Piedmont.

Typical Franklin homeowner pays $1,732

With a median home value of $240,900 and an effective rate of 0.719%, the typical Franklin homeowner pays $1,732 annually in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,928, while those without mortgages pay $1,312.

Verify your assessment isn't too high

Even in a moderate-tax county, many Franklin homeowners are assessed above fair market value and don't realize they can challenge it. A reassessment appeal costs nothing and could put hundreds back in your pocket annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Franklin County

via CostByCounty

Franklin leads North Carolina affordability

Franklin residents spend just 16.6% of their $71,386 median income on rent—well below the national and state averages. At $988 monthly, rents here remain accessible to families earning near the state median, making Franklin one of the state's most affordable urban counties.

Best-in-class affordability statewide

Franklin's rent-to-income ratio of 16.6% ranks among the lowest in North Carolina, beating the state average of 18.6% by two percentage points. The county combines above-average incomes with below-average rents, a rare combination in today's market.

Sweet spot between rural and urban

Franklin's $988 rent and 16.6% ratio outperform Forsyth (19.1%), Granville (17.0%), and Edgecombe (20.3%) in pure affordability. The county balances Raleigh-area job access with rural North Carolina pricing, attracting remote workers seeking lower costs.

Housing takes reasonable share of income

Renters spend $988 monthly while homeowners pay $1,089 on incomes averaging $71,386, with renters enjoying better affordability than owners. Housing costs total roughly $11,900 annually for renters, leaving substantial room for savings and other expenses.

Top pick for budget-conscious relocators

Franklin County delivers the rare combination of above-average incomes, below-average rents, and proximity to the Raleigh-Durham job market. If you can work remotely or land a job in nearby Wake County, Franklin offers 30% better affordability than most comparable North Carolina markets.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Franklin County

via IncomeByCounty

Franklin leads state income rankings

Franklin County's median household income of $71,386 ranks among North Carolina's highest and approaches the national median of $74,755, falling just 5% behind. The county outperforms 93% of North Carolina counties in household earnings.

Top earners in North Carolina

At $71,386, Franklin's median household income ranks it in the top tier of North Carolina counties, exceeding the state average of $61,072 by 17%. Per capita income of $33,957 nearly matches the state average, reflecting strong wage distribution.

Franklin outearns most peers

Franklin's $71,386 leads neighboring Granville County ($70,975) and significantly outpaces Edgecombe ($48,480) and Greene ($50,904) to the east. The county's economic strength reflects a competitive advantage in the regional market.

Best affordability in the region

Franklin's rent-to-income ratio of 16.6% ranks among the lowest in the data, well below the 20% affordability threshold, indicating strong rental purchasing power. A median home value of $240,900 remains accessible to median-income households.

Capitalize on strong earnings

With $71,386 median income, Franklin households can comfortably save 20%+ annually ($14,277) while maintaining quality of life. High-yield savings accounts, index fund investing, and mortgage acceleration strategies position Franklin families to build generational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Franklin County

via HealthByCounty

Franklin edges out national life expectancy benchmarks

Franklin County residents live an average of 76.3 years, slightly longer than the U.S. average of 76.1 years, placing the county among America's healthier regions. However, 17.9% report poor or fair health, slightly above national norms. The county demonstrates solid health outcomes despite facing some chronic disease challenges.

Above-average health performance for North Carolina

At 76.3 years, Franklin's life expectancy exceeds North Carolina's state average of 74.4 years by nearly 2 years, positioning it in the upper tier of county health rankings. The poor/fair health rate of 17.9% is moderately better than many state peers. Franklin consistently performs above the statewide benchmark.

Health outcomes competitive with local peers

Franklin's 76.3-year life expectancy outperforms neighboring Nash County (72.5 years) and matches well against Vance County (76.1 years), though all three remain below state leader Forsyth. Franklin's 17.9% poor/fair health rate sits between Vance (18.8%) and Nash (19.2%), suggesting more consistent health management. The county ranks solidly among its neighbors.

Limited primary care, strong mental health access

Franklin's critical gap is primary care: only 13 providers per 100K residents—among the lowest in the state—while mental health services at 140 per 100K provide better coverage. The uninsured rate of 12.7% slightly exceeds the state average, limiting access for a meaningful portion of the population. Residents must often travel outside the county for routine primary care.

Coverage options available during enrollment periods

Franklin's 12.7% uninsured rate means nearly 1 in 8 residents lack health insurance coverage, missing out on preventive care and financial protection. Healthcare.gov and the NC Health Insurance Marketplace are available during open enrollment windows, with subsidies available for qualifying households. Getting covered ensures access to the healthcare services Franklin residents deserve.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Franklin County

via RiskByCounty

Franklin County enjoys below-average disaster risk

Franklin County's composite risk score of 51.72 ranks well below the North Carolina state average of 66.72 and significantly below the national average, earning a "Relatively Low" rating. This favorable positioning reflects the county's distance from major coastal and seismic zones, though residents still face meaningful tornado and hurricane exposure. Franklin benefits from geography that reduces natural disaster pressure.

Franklin ranks among North Carolina's safest

With a composite score of 51.72, Franklin County sits in the lower half of North Carolina's risk ranking—substantially safer than the state average of 66.72. The county's inland Piedmont location and moderate elevation protect it from most hazards, though tornadoes (70.83) and hurricanes (74.64) remain elevated due to North Carolina's exposure patterns. Franklin represents one of the state's more resilient communities.

Franklin benefits from favorable geography

Franklin County's score of 51.72 substantially undercuts higher-risk neighbors like Edgecombe County (76.37) and Granville County (59.35), positioning it as the safest in the immediate region. Only its flood risk (56.01) approaches concerning levels; most other hazards register well below regional norms. This relative safety makes Franklin an attractive area for residents seeking lower-risk locations.

Tornadoes and hurricanes require attention

Franklin County's primary natural disaster threats come from tornadoes (70.83) and hurricanes (74.64), reflecting North Carolina's broad exposure to these phenomena regardless of inland location. Flooding (56.01) and earthquakes (54.23) present lower but still meaningful risks in certain areas and neighborhoods. These three hazards should guide your insurance and preparedness decisions.

Reasonable coverage protects your investment

Franklin County's moderate risk profile means a solid homeowners policy with tornado and wind coverage forms your foundation, supplemented by flood insurance if you're in a mapped flood zone. Given the county's relatively low overall exposure compared to North Carolina peers, a standard policy with these additions typically provides adequate protection. Review your coverage annually and adjust as your home's value changes.

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.