countyscore

Franklin County, Pennsylvania — County Report Card

PA

#52 in Pennsylvania
46.8
County Score
Income & Jobs 76.9Schools 61.9Health 61.4

County Report Card

About Franklin County, Pennsylvania

Near the National Livability Median

Franklin County scores a 46.9, trailing the national median of 50.0 by only a small margin. It represents a fairly standard profile for a mid-sized American county.

Chasing the Pennsylvania State Average

The county sits slightly below the Pennsylvania state average of 51.8. While it struggles in certain areas, it maintains high performance in the income and education pillars.

Economic Vitality and Strong Schools

Economic health is a standout, with an income score of 77.2 and a healthy median household income of $74,946. Schools and health both score above 61, indicating robust social infrastructure.

Navigating Higher Housing Costs

Housing affordability is the main drawback, as the cost score of 21.1 reflects rising prices like the $236,300 median home value. Environmental risk also remains a concern with a score of 23.6.

Best for Higher-Income Professional Families

Franklin is ideal for professional families who earn above-average incomes and value high-quality schools. The trade-off is a tighter housing market and higher entry costs than neighboring counties.

2040608010029.121.659.261.461.976.923.640.261.3Tax29.1Cost21.6Safety59.2Health61.4Schools61.9Income76.9Risk23.6Water40.2Weather61.346.8/100
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 (76.9/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (21.6/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
29.1-22.9
Cost
21.6-26.4
Safety
59.2
Health
61.4+11.399999999999999
Schools
61.9
Income
76.9+25.900000000000006
Risk
23.6-23.4
Water
40.2-17.799999999999997
Weather
61.3
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Compare mortgage rates in Franklin County

Whether buying or refinancing in Franklin County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$249,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,093/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$249,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$43,720/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $77,003/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

17.2

per 100K

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

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 matches national norms but with lower values

Franklin's effective tax rate of 1.115% sits just below the national median of 1.317%, positioning it near the national 45th percentile. The median tax bill of $2,634 closely mirrors the national median of $2,690, despite Franklin homes being worth roughly $45,600 less.

Franklin ranks in the middle of Pennsylvania

Franklin's 1.115% effective rate falls slightly below the state average of 1.317%, making it a moderate-tax county by Pennsylvania standards. The median tax of $2,634 is about $23 below the state median, reflecting a good balance of home values and tax rates.

Franklin taxes are competitive with the region

Franklin's 1.115% rate is lower than Erie (1.625%), Greene (1.295%), and Fayette (1.195%), placing it squarely in the middle-to-lower range regionally. Franklin homeowners enjoy comparable tax burdens to neighboring Fulton County while financing homes worth roughly $30,000 more.

Median Franklin home costs about $2,634 yearly

A typical Franklin home worth $236,300 carries an annual property tax bill of $2,634. With a mortgage, that bill rises to $2,732; without one, it drops to $2,445.

Franklin homeowners should verify their assessment values

With median home values near $236,000, an inflated assessment can cost hundreds per year in property taxes. Filing an appeal with your township or county assessor is free and could significantly reduce your annual bill.

Income & Jobs in Franklin County

via IncomeByCounty

Franklin matches the national standard

Franklin County's median household income of $74,946 essentially matches the national median of $74,755, placing it squarely in the American middle class. This alignment signals a healthy, stable economy relative to national benchmarks.

Above average for Pennsylvania

Franklin's $74,946 income exceeds Pennsylvania's state average of $69,614 by $5,332, positioning it in the upper half of the state's 67 counties. The county ranks among Pennsylvania's more prosperous regions.

Franklin leads this regional cluster

Franklin County's $74,946 substantially outpaces all seven comparison counties, with the nearest competitor (Erie at $61,476) trailing by $13,470. This income premium reflects Franklin's stronger job market and economic diversity.

Housing affordable despite higher values

Franklin's rent-to-income ratio of 17.1% remains at the comfort threshold, and median home values of $236,300 remain achievable for middle-income households. The county balances higher property values with corresponding higher incomes.

Leverage income advantage strategically

Franklin County households earning $74,946 can accelerate wealth building through diversified investments, homeownership, and retirement account maximization. With income tracking national norms, focus on investment discipline and long-term compounding to build generational wealth.

Safety in Franklin County

via CrimeByCounty

Franklin County is Safer than National Average

Franklin County boasts an impressive safety score of 98.5. Its total crime rate of 941.1 per 100K is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Franklin County Aligns with Pennsylvania Standards

The county's crime rate of 941.1 per 100K is almost exactly the same as the state average of 932.4. Its 98.5 safety score also mirrors the statewide average score.

Franklin and Fulton County Comparison

Franklin County's crime rate of 941.1 is lower than neighboring Fulton County's 1327.0. This suggests Franklin is one of the more secure hubs in its immediate regional vicinity.

The Local Balance of Property and Violence

Violent crime in Franklin is low at 137.7 per 100K, beating the state average of 142.2. Property crime sits at 803.4 per 100K, which is the primary driver of police activity across the 14 agencies.

Staying Safe in Franklin County

Residents can help keep property crime low by ensuring their homes are well-lit at night. Active monitoring and community watch programs further strengthen the county's already high safety profile.

Weather & Climate in Franklin County

via WeatherByCounty

Approaching National Medians

With an annual average of 51.5°F, Franklin County sits closer to the national median than many of its northern neighbors. This reflects a transition toward the warmer humid subtropical influences of the south.

One of the State's Warmest

Franklin is one of Pennsylvania's warmer counties, exceeding the state average of 49.9°F by 1.6 degrees. Its 46.0 inches of precipitation remains very close to the state-wide norms.

Regional Heat Leader

Franklin shares its 51.5°F average with Greene County, making them some of the warmest spots in the region. It stays much milder than Jefferson, which is nearly 4 degrees colder on average.

Warm Summers and Light Snow

Summers are notably warm with 11 days exceeding 90°F and a July average of 72.9°F. Winters are relatively light, seeing only 31.9 inches of snow compared to the state's northern averages.

Cooling for Humid Summers

Prioritize energy-efficient air conditioning to manage the double-digit extreme heat days. Standard winter kits suffice for the moderate snowfall, but residents should prepare for high summer humidity.

Soil Quality in Franklin County

via SoilByCounty

Slightly Sweeter Soils in Franklin

Franklin County's average pH of 5.36 is one of the higher readings in the state, exceeding the Pennsylvania average of 5.22. However, it still remains more acidic than the national median of 6.5.

A Balanced Silt and Sand Blend

The soil contains 43.1% silt and 30.8% sand, which provides a versatile texture for agriculture. A clay content of 16.6% adds enough body to retain nutrients without causing severe drainage issues.

Productive Ground with High Water Storage

With an available water capacity of 0.154 in/in, Franklin's soil holds more moisture than the state average. The organic matter content of 6.75% is triple the national average, fueling healthy plant growth.

Stable Moisture for Local Farms

The soil score of 48.8 indicates above-average quality for the state. This stability is driven by a texture that balances drainage and retention, making it ideal for both gardening and building.

Extended Growing in Zone 7a

As one of the warmer spots in the state, Zone 7a allows Franklin residents to grow long-season crops like peppers and tomatoes. Use this extra warmth to experiment with varieties that might struggle in cooler northern counties.

Lawn Care in Franklin County

via LawnByCounty

Franklin County's Lawn Care Challenges

Franklin County has a difficulty score of 55.8, making it one of the more challenging spots in the state for lawn care. This Zone 7a rating reflects a warmer, more volatile environment than the Pennsylvania average of 59.2.

High Heat Days Drive Watering Needs

With 11 extreme heat days and 3053 growing degree days, lawns here grow rapidly but face significant stress. The 46.0 inches of precipitation is ample, but the heat often evaporates surface moisture before it reaches deep roots.

Balancing Clay and Sand for Better Roots

A soil pH of 5.36 indicates an acidic foundation that needs regular attention to support nutrient uptake. The mix of 16.6% clay and 30.8% sand requires aeration to prevent compaction and improve water infiltration.

Severe Drought Conditions Limit Water Use

The county has spent 35 weeks in drought over the past year, with 58.6% of the area currently in severe drought. Water conservation is critical here, and dormant-seeding may be more effective than high-summer watering.

Zone 7a Grasses for Warmer Climates

The late spring frost on April 27th marks the start of the primary growing season. Tall Fescue is a great choice for Franklin's heat, especially since the first fall frost doesn't arrive until October 25th.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Franklin County's county score?
Franklin County, Pennsylvania has a composite county score of 46.8 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 Pennsylvania?
Franklin County ranks #52 among all counties in Pennsylvania 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, Pennsylvania?
The median annual property tax in Franklin County is $2,740, with an effective tax rate of 1.10%. This earns Franklin County a tax score of 29.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Franklin County?
The median household income in Franklin County, Pennsylvania is $77,003 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Franklin County earns an income score of 76.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Franklin County, Pennsylvania a good place to live?
Franklin County scores 46.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #52 in Pennsylvania. 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

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