Franklin County
AL · Pop. 31,978 · Suburban County
Franklin County, Alabama covers 634 square miles with a population of 31,978 and a density of 50.4 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, soybeans, corn. A median home price of $128,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.34% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 211-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.6°F and average winter lows of 30.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 56.6 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Russellville Hospital is 8.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 211-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.34% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $128,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 95.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Russellville Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 8.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is high, so low-lying parcels deserve careful evaluation before purchase.
At a glance
Franklin County, AL is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 90/100
- Median home price
- $128k
- Property tax
- 0.34%
- Growing season
- 211 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 56.6"
- Broadband
- 95.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Russellville Hospital, 8.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Franklin County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Franklin County?
- Franklin County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 211-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.6°F, and average winter lows of 30.2°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $128,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.34%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 95.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Russellville Hospital is 8.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Alabama Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Alabama
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The closest counties to Franklin County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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