CountyScore

Franklin County

Pennsylvania · PA

#42 in Pennsylvania
64
County Score

County Report Card

About Franklin County, Pennsylvania

Franklin Matches Pennsylvania Average

Franklin County's composite score of 66.2 ranks well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper third of U.S. counties. This solid performance reflects a balanced mix of moderate costs and the highest incomes in this cohort.

Right at Pennsylvania's Baseline

Franklin's score of 66.2 nearly matches Pennsylvania's state average of 66.0, making it a representative mid-tier county. It neither leads nor lags the state's livability profile.

Franklin's Income Advantage Stands Out

Franklin shines with an income score of 32.3 and median household income of $74,946, the highest in this dataset—40% above Forest County's median. Tax burden is also reasonable at 1.115% effective rate, supporting middle-class stability.

Housing Costs Rise Noticeably Here

Franklin's cost score of 71.1 reveals higher housing expenses, with median home values at $236,300 and rent at $1,071 monthly—substantially above other counties reviewed. Data on safety, health, schools, and water quality remain unavailable.

Best for Established Professionals

Franklin suits working families and professionals earning above-average incomes who can absorb higher housing costs. The strong income profile and moderate taxes create stable conditions for established households willing to pay for suburban living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax70.9Cost71.1SafetyComing SoonHealth71.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome32.3Risk23.6WaterComing Soon
🏛70.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠71.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼32.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡23.6
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

Apache County
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Median income: $40,338
Yuma County
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Median income: $60,417
Larimer County
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Median income: $91,364
Brooks County
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Median income: $47,656
Crisp County
Georgia
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Median income: $42,745

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 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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Franklin County

via CostByCounty

Franklin County Mirrors National Housing Costs

Franklin County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.1% slightly exceeds the national average of 15.8%, reflecting higher housing costs paired with above-average local incomes of $74,946—nearly identical to the national median of $74,755. This county represents a market where national-level affordability pressures are taking hold.

Franklin Ranks Among PA's Pricier Markets

At 17.1%, Franklin County's rent-to-income ratio sits above Pennsylvania's state average of 16.5%, and its median rent of $1,071 is the highest among these eight counties and 12% above the state median. Franklin represents the region's premium housing market.

Franklin Leads the Region in Housing Costs

Franklin County's $1,071 monthly rent significantly outpaces every peer here, with median home values of $236,300 representing the region's steepest entry price for ownership. Franklin's higher income base ($74,946) supports these costs, but renters still face above-average burden.

Premium Rents and Mortgages for Higher Earners

Franklin County residents earning $74,946 medially pay $1,071 for rent or $1,169 for mortgage—the region's highest housing costs—consuming 17.1% and 18.8% of income respectively. The county's strong income base absorbs these costs more comfortably than lower-income peers, but affordability remains compressed.

Franklin Suits Higher Earners and Families

Franklin County's premium pricing—$1,071 rent, $236,300 median home values—makes sense if your income approaches or exceeds the county median of $74,946. Budget accordingly and compare against more affordable options like Fayette ($771 rent) or Greene ($754 rent) to ensure Franklin's higher costs align with your financial plan.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Franklin County

via HealthByCounty

Franklin leads Pennsylvania in life expectancy

Franklin County residents live 77.2 years on average—1.1 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.1 years—placing the county among America's healthier communities. Just 18.3% report poor or fair health, below the 17.9% national average, reflecting strong preventive care and chronic disease management.

Franklin ranks among state's healthiest

At 77.2 years, Franklin's life expectancy tops Pennsylvania's 76.4-year average by 0.8 years, ranking it among the state's health leaders. This advantage suggests effective primary care, engaged residents, and lower poverty rates that support better health outcomes across the lifespan.

Franklin outpaces all comparison counties

Franklin County's 77.2-year life expectancy is the highest among all eight counties in this analysis, topping the next-best peer (Huntingdon at 77.0 years) by two months. With 61 primary care providers per 100K and 138 mental health providers per 100K, Franklin offers solid healthcare infrastructure that supports its superior health profile.

Good coverage, but higher uninsured rate

Franklin's 8.5% uninsured rate is the highest among the eight counties and exceeds Pennsylvania's 7.0% average, despite the county's overall health strength. With 61 primary care providers per 100K, the county has decent—though not exceptional—routine care capacity, suggesting some residents may face access challenges.

Franklin residents: close that coverage gap

Even in a healthy county, uninsured residents miss preventive care and face bankruptcy from medical bills; Franklin's 8.5% uninsured rate (roughly 14,000 people) deserves attention. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore Medicaid, Marketplace, and employer options—your covered status could mean better health tomorrow.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Franklin County

via RiskByCounty

Franklin faces above-average disaster exposure

Franklin County's composite risk score of 76.40 exceeds the national median, rating as "Relatively Low" but still elevated. Hurricane risk (85.57) and earthquake risk (75.38) are particularly pronounced, reflecting the county's geographic position in south-central Pennsylvania.

Fifth-riskiest county in Pennsylvania

At 76.40, Franklin ranks in the upper half of Pennsylvania's at-risk counties, above the state average of 67.45. Only four counties statewide carry demonstrably higher composite risk.

Higher exposure than Adams and Cumberland

Franklin's 76.40 score exceeds neighboring Adams County and Cumberland County to the southeast. This position places Franklin as a relative risk concentration zone in the Appalachian foothills region.

Hurricanes, earthquakes, and flooding converge

Franklin's three largest hazards are hurricane risk (85.57), earthquake risk (75.38), and flood risk (84.32), creating a tripled vulnerability profile. The county sits near active seismic zones and remains within the reach of Atlantic hurricane systems.

Secure earthquake and flood coverage

Franklin County homeowners should add earthquake insurance to their policies, as standard homeowner's plans exclude seismic damage. Flood insurance is equally critical given the 84.32 flood risk; review coverage annually before hurricane season.

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.