CountyScore

Franklin County

Texas · TX

#28 in Texas
69.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Franklin County, Texas

Franklin County Ranks Above National Median

Franklin County's composite score of 70.6 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0. The county ranks in the upper-middle range nationally for overall livability.

Strong Performer Among Texas Counties

Franklin County scores 70.6, clearly above the Texas state average of 66.8, placing it in the upper tier statewide. Among the eight counties profiled, Franklin ranks third-highest nationally.

Excellent Tax Rates and Balanced Costs

Franklin County leads with a tax score of 76.6 and the lowest effective tax rate of all eight counties at 0.912%. The cost score of 76.9 and median household income of $66,800 deliver solid financial balance without extremes.

Income Growth Potential Moderate

Franklin County's income score of 27.0 reflects median earnings of $66,800, competitive but not exceptional among the counties profiled. Scores for schools, health, safety, and environmental factors remain unavailable for a complete livability assessment.

Ideal for Tax-Conscious Balanced Families

Franklin County suits middle-income families and professionals seeking low taxes, reasonable housing costs, and financial stability without premium pricing. It appeals most to those valuing tax efficiency and moderate cost of living over urban amenities or high earning potential.

Score breakdown

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

Tax76.6Cost76.9SafetyComing SoonHealth66.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome27Risk75.2WaterComing Soon
🏛76.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡75.2
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

Clay County
Arkansas
69.8
Median income: $48,500
Liberty County
Florida
69.8
Median income: $53,824
McDuffie County
Georgia
69.8
Median income: $54,058
Webster County
Kentucky
69.8
Median income: $58,786
Evangeline Parish
Louisiana
69.8
Median income: $42,273

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 County taxes: Among America's lowest

Franklin County's effective tax rate of 0.912% is notably below the national median of 1.026%, making it one of the most tax-friendly counties in the United States. The median property tax of $1,944 is less than 73% of the national median of $2,690, offering exceptional affordability for homeowners.

Texas's most tax-efficient county

Franklin County's 0.912% effective rate is the lowest among all counties examined and well below Texas's state average of 1.276%, placing it at the very bottom of the state's tax burden rankings. The median property tax of $1,944 is below the state average of $2,193, reflecting both favorable tax policy and moderate home values.

Franklin County leads in tax affordability

Franklin County's 0.912% rate is lower than every peer examined, including Fayette County (1.008%), Floyd County (1.079%), and Foard County (1.182%). It offers the region's best tax-to-value ratio for homeowners seeking maximum affordability.

Annual tax on typical home: $1,944

A homeowner with the median home value of $213,200 in Franklin County pays approximately $1,944 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, taxes rise to around $2,488; without one, they drop to about $1,643.

Low rate doesn't mean no appeal opportunity

Franklin County's exceptional effective rate shouldn't prevent homeowners from reviewing their assessments. If comparable sales suggest overvaluation, a free appeal to the county appraisal district could yield additional savings on an already favorable tax situation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Franklin County

via CostByCounty

Franklin County near national housing norms

Franklin County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.0% sits marginally above the national average, with renters dedicating roughly one-sixth of their income to housing costs. The $948 median rent runs 27% below Texas's state average of $963, offering moderate relief in a tightening rental market.

Slightly below Texas affordability average

Franklin County's 17.0% rent-to-income ratio edges below Texas's state average of 18.1%, placing it in the better-than-average tier for Texas housing affordability. This modest advantage combines moderate rents with reasonable household incomes of $66,800.

Mid-range costs among rural counties

Franklin County's $948 median rent sits between Fayette County ($909) and Fannin County ($994), pricing it as a moderate option among comparables. Home values of $213,200 fall between Fannin County ($213,500) and Fayette County ($271,100), marking Franklin as a balanced community.

Balanced housing costs and incomes

Franklin County renters pay $948 monthly from a median household income of $66,800, consuming 17.0% of earnings, while homeowners spend $943 on homes valued at $213,200. This alignment between rent, ownership costs, and income creates relatively stable housing economics.

Franklin County for stability and value

If you earn near $67,000 and seek balance between rural charm and accessible housing, Franklin County's 17.0% rent-to-income ratio benchmarks favorably against the Texas state average. Compare your current housing burden to Franklin's 17.0% to gauge whether this Northeast Texas county offers meaningful financial improvement.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Franklin County

via IncomeByCounty

Franklin County holds steady near national median

Franklin County's median household income of $66,800 sits roughly 11% below the national median of $74,755, placing the county slightly below the U.S. middle. Residents earn more than approximately 45% of American households, reflecting a solid middle-income position.

Above Texas average by modest margin

At $66,800, Franklin County's median household income exceeds the Texas state average of $64,737 by $2,063 per household. The per capita income of $39,633 also surpasses the state average of $33,197 by 19%, indicating balanced above-average prosperity.

Upper-middle tier of F-county rankings

Franklin County's $66,800 income places it above Falls ($55,372), Floyd ($55,461), Fisher ($64,700), and Foard ($42,212), but below Fannin ($68,377) and Fayette ($76,541). Franklin ranks solidly in the county's upper-middle tier economically.

Housing costs rise with market value

Franklin County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.0% indicates manageable housing costs, though the median home value of $213,200 requires 3.2 years of median income. The county shows characteristics of a growing, moderately affluent market with rising property values.

Balance real estate and investment growth

With above-average income and manageable housing costs, Franklin County residents should build diversified portfolios beyond homeownership: maximize 401(k)s, invest in index funds, and consider tax-advantaged accounts like HSAs. The county's economic trajectory supports long-term wealth accumulation across multiple asset classes.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Franklin County

via HealthByCounty

Franklin County matches national health

At 74.5 years, Franklin County's life expectancy is just below the U.S. average of 79 years. Its 15.4% poor or fair health rate beats the national average of 19%, suggesting a relatively healthy population.

Franklin slightly above Texas average

Franklin County's 74.5-year life expectancy is slightly above the Texas average of 74.3 years, placing it in the middle tier of state counties. This stability suggests steady health management.

Moderate provider access regionally

Franklin County has 29 primary care providers and 37 mental health providers per 100K residents—solid but not exceptional compared to peers like Fort Bend County's 85 and 119. The moderate supply meets baseline needs across most of the population.

Low uninsured rate, stable access

Franklin County's 14.6% uninsured rate is well below the state average of 19.8%, with moderate provider supply supporting routine care. This combination creates a relatively stable, if not exceptional, healthcare environment.

Keep your coverage in place

Franklin County's solid health outcomes depend on keeping the uninsured rate low; if you lack coverage, visit Healthcare.gov to find options. Your county's moderate provider network serves best when residents are insured and connected to care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Franklin County

via RiskByCounty

Franklin County carries low national risk

Franklin County's composite risk score of 24.81 falls well below the national average, placing it in the very low risk category. Residents experience significantly less natural disaster threat than typical Americans across most hazard types.

Below-average risk for Texas

At 24.81, Franklin County's composite score substantially underperforms Texas's state average of 49.00, ranking it among the state's safer jurisdictions. This favorable standing reflects geographic advantages that shield residents from the extreme weather affecting many Texas areas.

Safer than Fannin, similar to Falls

Franklin County's risk score of 24.81 closely matches Falls County (26.24) and dramatically underperforms Fannin County (68.13) to the north. The county's tornado (72.30) and hurricane (55.53) risks remain elevated compared to wildfire and flood concerns.

Tornadoes rank as primary hazard

Tornado risk (72.30) represents Franklin County's most serious threat, followed by hurricane risk (55.53) and wildfire risk (58.84). Flood risk (17.05) and earthquake risk (31.93) pose secondary concerns for residents.

Prioritize wind and tornado coverage

Franklin County residents should ensure comprehensive wind and hail protection in homeowners policies given the 72.30 tornado score. Consider a safe room or interior shelter investment, and maintain an updated emergency preparedness plan that includes severe storm procedures.

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.