countyscore

Franklin County, North Carolina — County Report Card

NC

#71 in North Carolina

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
38.5
County Score
Income & Jobs 71.7Property Tax 66.8Weather & Climate 63.6

County Report Card

About Franklin County, North Carolina

Closing the National Score Gap

Franklin County scores a 38.2, which is higher than some neighbors but still below the national median of 50.0. The county continues to develop as part of the broader regional economy.

Lagging the North Carolina Average

The county's 38.2 score sits roughly six points below the North Carolina state average of 44.7. Growth in the Triangle area hasn't yet lifted its total score to state-leading levels.

High Incomes and Favorable Taxes

Income is a standout at 69.8, fueled by a healthy $71,386 median household income. Residents also enjoy a Tax Score of 61.0, benefiting from an effective tax rate of 0.719%.

School and Safety Limitations

School quality scores only 22.4, while the Safety Score remains low at 21.5. These social infrastructure metrics prevent the county from reaching its full potential.

Ideal for Tax-Savvy Commuters

Franklin is a great fit for high-earning professionals who work in nearby hubs but want lower property taxes. Families may need to look closer at private or alternative education options to balance the low school scores.

2040608010066.823.821.549.222.471.748.342.163.6Tax66.8Cost23.8Safety21.5Health49.2Schools22.4Income71.7Risk48.3Water42.1Weather63.638.5/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Franklin County DNA

Foverall

How Franklin County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Franklin County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (71.7/100) but notably weak in Safety (21.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
66.8+14.799999999999997
Cost
23.8-24.2
Safety
21.5-33.5
Health
49.2
Schools
22.4-31.6
Income
71.7+20.700000000000003
Risk
48.3
Water
42.1-15.899999999999999
Weather
63.6
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$284,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,083/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$284,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$43,320/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $74,240/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

9.7

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

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Compare Franklin County with Butte County →Share on X

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Nearby counties

Vance County
North Carolina
34.6
Granville County
North Carolina
40.4
Nash County
North Carolina
47.8
Warren County
North Carolina
38.4
Wake County
North Carolina
53.4
Durham County
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34.3
Mecklenburg County
Virginia
51.9
Wilson County
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29.5

Deep Dives

Franklin County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Franklin County

via CrimeByCounty

A Safer Profile Than National Trends

Franklin County is safer than the national average, reporting 2,026.4 crimes per 100K compared to 2,385.5 nationally. This translates to a strong safety score of 96.8.

Matching the State Average Safety

The county's safety score of 96.8 perfectly aligns with the North Carolina state average. Its total crime rate of 2,026.4 per 100K also mirrors the state average of 2,050.0.

Significant Safety Advantage Over Edgecombe

Franklin is much safer than its neighbor Edgecombe County, where the crime rate is more than double. It provides a more secure environment for residents within the regional landscape.

Low Violent Crime Rates Prevail

The violent crime rate is 307.1 per 100K, which is lower than the national average of 369.8. Property crime accounts for most incidents, totaling 1,719.3 per 100K residents.

Maintaining a Secure Local Community

While crime is lower than average, basic security habits like installing smart doorbells help maintain Franklin's safety. Neighbors looking out for one another continues to keep incident rates low.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Franklin County

via WeatherByCounty

Warm Inland Humid Subtropical Climate

Franklin's 59.1°F average temperature almost perfectly matches the state and stays well above the national median. It is a classic example of a warm, humid inland environment.

Tracking Closely With State Averages

Franklin sits just 0.2 degrees below the North Carolina state average of 59.3°F. It is consistently warm, particularly during the peak summer months.

Extreme Heat Days Lead Neighbors

Franklin faces 51 days of extreme heat, far more than Forsyth’s 33 days. Its 48.3 inches of rain is very similar to Edgecombe's 48.1 inches of annual precipitation.

Hot Summers and Light Winter Snow

July temperatures average 79.2°F, contributing to the 51 days of extreme heat. January stays around 39.5°F, and the county sees a light annual snowfall of 1.7 inches.

Budget for High Cooling Costs

Cooling costs will be a major budget item given the 51 days of extreme heat per year. Winter gear can stay light, as snowfall rarely exceeds two inches annually.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Franklin County

via SoilByCounty

Franklin's acidic Piedmont profile

Franklin County's soil pH of 5.57 is among the higher readings in the state, exceeding the North Carolina average of 5.14. It still trends significantly more acidic than the national median of 6.5.

A silty and sandy mix

The soil composition is 55.2% sand, 28.4% silt, and 15.1% clay. This blend provides a good balance of drainage and workability, making it suitable for a variety of agricultural uses.

Improving fertility in Franklin

Organic matter is relatively low at 1.25%, falling short of the 5.12% state average. However, the available water capacity of 0.133 in/in matches the state average, providing reliable moisture for thirsty plants.

Predictable drainage for local builders

Specific drainage classification data is missing, but the 28.4% silt content indicates soil that holds moisture well without being overly heavy. This makes it generally favorable for both small-scale farming and home construction.

Long summers in Zone 8a

As part of zone 8a, Franklin County enjoys a long growing season perfect for tomatoes, peppers, and squash. Grab a shovel and start planting to make the most of this warm climate.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Franklin County

via LawnByCounty

Franklin County's Middle-Ground Lawn Care

Franklin County sits in Zone 8a with a lawn difficulty score of 47.2. This score is stronger than the state average of 40.8 but remains slightly below the national median of 50.0. Homeowners here face a moderate challenge that requires consistent attention to climate and soil health.

Intense Heat Days Impact Turf

Franklin experiences 51 extreme heat days per year, well above the state average of 38 days. Annual precipitation of 48.3 inches provides adequate water, but the 4,534 growing degree days indicate high energy for plant growth. You must balance generous watering with frequent mowing to keep up with the summer surge.

Sandy Soils Require Balancing

The local soil is 55.2% sand and 15.1% clay, offering a relatively porous environment for lawn roots. The average pH of 5.57 is below the ideal 6.0-7.0 range, meaning nutrient availability is limited without treatment. Adding lime and phosphorus can help bridge the gap for a more resilient turf system.

Adapting to 100% Severe Drought

The county is currently under 100% severe drought coverage, having endured 23 weeks of drought over the last year. During these periods, avoid over-fertilizing, which can stress thirsty grass. Focus on water-saving techniques like using mulch in garden beds to keep the surrounding lawn environment cooler.

Seeding for Success in 8a

Warm-season grasses thrive best in this climate, particularly with the 8a hardiness designation. Wait until the risk of frost passes after April 11 to begin your spring seeding or sodding projects. Establishing your lawn early allows it to withstand the long summer before the October 29 fall frost arrives.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Franklin County's county score?
Franklin County, North Carolina has a composite county score of 38.5 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Franklin County rank among counties in North Carolina?
Franklin County ranks #71 among all counties in North Carolina on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Franklin County, North Carolina?
The median annual property tax in Franklin County is $1,834, with an effective tax rate of 0.65%. This earns Franklin County a tax score of 66.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Franklin County?
The median household income in Franklin County, North Carolina is $74,240 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Franklin County earns an income score of 71.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Franklin County, North Carolina a good place to live?
Franklin County scores 38.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #71 in North Carolina. The best way to evaluate Franklin County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Franklin County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.