Franklin Parish scores 73.1, substantially above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 73rd percentile nationally. The score reflects consistent strength in affordability and tax positioning.
2 / 5
Above Louisiana's state average
The parish ranks above the state average of 70.4, placing it in the upper third of Louisiana counties. This positioning reflects balanced livability across measured dimensions.
3 / 5
Unbeatable tax and housing affordability
Franklin Parish delivers a tax score of 93.2 (effective rate 0.323%) and cost score of 87.3, with median home value just $117,200 and rent at $719/month. These numbers make it one of the most affordable parishes statewide.
4 / 5
Limited income opportunities and health gaps
The income score of 12.2 reflects median household income of $44,103, constraining household financial capacity. Health outcomes (57.4) are moderate, and the risk score of 64.1 suggests economic vulnerabilities worth investigating.
5 / 5
For budget-conscious retirees and remote workers
Franklin Parish appeals to retirees, remote workers, and others with stable non-local income seeking maximum affordability. The parish requires clear plans for healthcare access and income stability before relocation.
Franklin Parish scores 73.1, substantially above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 73rd percentile nationally. The score reflects consistent strength in affordability and tax positioning.
Above Louisiana's state average
The parish ranks above the state average of 70.4, placing it in the upper third of Louisiana counties. This positioning reflects balanced livability across measured dimensions.
Unbeatable tax and housing affordability
Franklin Parish delivers a tax score of 93.2 (effective rate 0.323%) and cost score of 87.3, with median home value just $117,200 and rent at $719/month. These numbers make it one of the most affordable parishes statewide.
Limited income opportunities and health gaps
The income score of 12.2 reflects median household income of $44,103, constraining household financial capacity. Health outcomes (57.4) are moderate, and the risk score of 64.1 suggests economic vulnerabilities worth investigating.
For budget-conscious retirees and remote workers
Franklin Parish appeals to retirees, remote workers, and others with stable non-local income seeking maximum affordability. The parish requires clear plans for healthcare access and income stability before relocation.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛93.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.323%, Franklin Parish's effective property tax rate ranks below the national median of 0.420%, placing it in the nation's bottom 40%. The median annual tax of $378 is just 14% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting modest home values at $117,200.
Below Louisiana's state average
Franklin Parish's 0.323% effective rate falls short of Louisiana's state average of 0.421%, making it a relatively affordable option statewide. The median tax bill of $378 undercuts the state median of $732 by nearly half.
Competitive among regional parishes
Franklin Parish's 0.323% rate slightly exceeds nearby East Carroll Parish (0.287%) but undercuts Evangeline Parish (0.273%). Residents benefit from a middle-ground tax burden in the northeast Louisiana region.
Modest tax bill for homeowners
On the median home value of $117,200, Franklin residents pay approximately $378 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, this figure climbs to $492 when other assessments apply.
Challenge your assessment if needed
Franklin Parish homeowners should verify their property assessments are accurate. Filing an appeal with the parish assessor can correct overvalued properties and reduce your annual tax burden.
Franklin Parish renters spend 19.6% of income on rent, just above the national affordability benchmark of 18%, with a median household income of $44,103 sitting 41% below the U.S. average. This parish hovers near the tipping point where housing costs become genuinely stressful.
Slightly above state affordability average
Franklin's 19.6% rent-to-income ratio edges above Louisiana's state average of 19.5%, essentially tracking the state norm. The median rent of $719 runs 18% below the state average of $873, helping offset the parish's below-average income.
Competitive rents among rural peers
Franklin's $719 monthly rent sits between Evangeline ($663) and Grant Parish ($806), with income of $44,103 slightly above Evangeline ($42,273) but well below Grant ($61,112). The parish occupies the middle ground for rural affordability.
Renters and owners split fairly
Renters paying $719 monthly dedicate 19.6% of the $44,103 income to housing, while owners paying $541 (14.7%) enjoy more breathing room. Both housing types remain manageable relative to local earning power.
Balanced affordability for rural seekers
Franklin Parish offers reasonable rents ($719) and home prices ($117,200) for those seeking rural life, though median income of $44,103 suggests you should verify local job prospects. This parish works best for remote workers or those with secured outside income.
Franklin Parish households earn $44,103 annually, trailing the national median of $74,755 by 41%. The parish ranks among lower-income regions nationwide, reflecting limited job diversity and wage growth in this northeast Louisiana community.
Slightly below state average
Franklin's $44,103 falls 20% short of Louisiana's state average of $55,250, placing it in the lower third of parishes. The parish remains dependent on agriculture, forestry, and declining manufacturing sectors.
Moderate earner in region
Franklin's $44,103 edges ahead of East Carroll Parish ($28,321) but trails Grant Parish ($61,112) to the west. The variance reflects Franklin's geographic isolation from major economic hubs like Shreveport and Jackson.
Rent demands significant share
At 19.6%, Franklin's rent-to-income ratio remains below the 30% affordability threshold but demands nearly one-fifth of household income. The median home value of $117,200 offers homeowners an affordable alternative to renting.
Prioritize emergency savings first
With moderate household income, Franklin residents should focus on building a three-to-six-month emergency fund before aggressive investing. Once stabilized, explore low-cost index funds and employer retirement plans to build lasting wealth.
Life expectancy and insurance gaps highest in state
Franklin residents live to just 71.0 years, the lowest life expectancy among these Louisiana parishes and nearly 8 years below the national average. At 9.4% uninsured, Franklin has the highest uninsured rate among these eight counties, directly impacting health outcomes.
Parish faces dual crisis of coverage and health
Franklin ranks among Louisiana's most challenged parishes on life expectancy, uninsured rate, and reported health status. The 27.4% poor/fair health rate signals widespread chronic disease and limited capacity for disease management.
Moderate primary care offset by mental health void
Franklin has 56 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—adequate for managing basic acute care—but only 187 mental health providers per 100,000, a critical gap. This imbalance leaves residents unable to address the psychological dimensions of chronic disease.
Uninsured rate creates daily barriers to treatment
One in eleven Franklin residents lacks insurance, making routine checkups unaffordable and pushing residents toward emergency department care for preventable conditions. Combined with limited mental health support, uninsured residents face cascading health consequences.
Coverage is your path to sustainable health
Franklin's 9.4% uninsured rate is the highest among these parishes—if you're uninsured, enrolling in Louisiana Medicaid or marketplace coverage through healthcare.gov can eliminate cost barriers to care. Mental health support is limited locally, but insurance ensures you can access care wherever available.
With a composite risk score of 35.91 and very-low rating, Franklin Parish sits well below the national average, placing it in the safest tier of American counties. Low flood risk (30.63) and minimal wildfire exposure (21.18) define the parish's protective profile, though tornado (64.85) and hurricane (73.59) risks remain moderate. For most natural disasters, Franklin residents enjoy substantially lower exposure than typical Americans.
Franklin Parish is among Louisiana's safest
At 35.91, Franklin Parish scores 26.5 points below Louisiana's state average of 62.37, making it one of the state's lowest-risk regions. This significant advantage reflects the parish's distance from coastal hurricane paths and relative geographic stability. Franklin ranks firmly in Louisiana's safest tier alongside only a handful of comparable parishes.
Safest in its region, rivaled only by Grant
Franklin Parish (35.91) competes with Grant Parish (29.61) as the region's two safest communities, with Grant holding a slight edge. Both are substantially safer than East Carroll (21.60) and far safer than Evangeline (75.92) and East Feliciana (56.42). Franklin's protective geography creates a clear safety advantage within its region.
Tornado risk exceeds all other hazards
Tornadoes rank as Franklin Parish's primary threat at 64.85, though even this score falls below many Louisiana parishes. Hurricanes (73.59) present a secondary concern, while earthquake risk (54.10) rounds out the notable hazards. Flooding and wildfire pose minimal threat compared to these three hazards.
Standard homeowners policy provides solid foundation
A quality homeowners insurance policy with tornado and windstorm coverage provides adequate protection for Franklin Parish's moderate threat profile. Flood insurance is recommended only if your home sits in a designated floodplain, and hurricane coverage, while sensible, is less critical than in coastal parishes. Review your tornado preparedness annually and maintain a basic emergency kit.