Franklin County
AR · Pop. 17,220 · Suburban County
Franklin County is a suburban county in Arkansas, spanning 609 square miles with 17,220 residents at a density of 28.3 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, wheat, soybeans. The median home price is $119,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.5%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 215-day growing season, average summer highs of 90°F and average winter lows of 29.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 50.5 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Mercy Hospital Ozark is 3.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 88.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 215-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.5% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $119,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Mercy Hospital Ozark, with an emergency room, is just 3.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- A poverty rate of 18.9% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Franklin County, AR is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 91/100
- Median home price
- $119k
- Property tax
- 0.5%
- Growing season
- 215 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 50.5"
- Broadband
- 88.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Mercy Hospital Ozark, 3.4 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 7b with a 215-day growing season, average summer highs of 90°F, and average winter lows of 29.4°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $119,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.5%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 88.5% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Mercy Hospital Ozark is 3.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Arkansas 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 Arkansas
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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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