Franklin County
FL · Pop. 12,418 · Rural County
Franklin County is a rural county in Florida, spanning 545 square miles with 12,418 residents at a density of 22.8 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on greens. A median home price of $254,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.62% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9b with a 295-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.8°F and average winter lows of 43.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 57.7 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. George E Weems Memorial Hospital is 11.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.1% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 295-day growing season in USDA zone 9b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.62% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 93.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- George E Weems Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 11.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- At 22.8 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Franklin County, FL is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 100/100
- Median home price
- $254k
- Property tax
- 0.62%
- Growing season
- 295 days (zone 9b)
- Annual rainfall
- 57.7"
- Broadband
- 93.1%
- Nearest hospital
- George E Weems Memorial Hospital, 11.1 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 9b with a 295-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.8°F, and average winter lows of 43.7°F. The established crops are greens.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $254,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.62%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- George E Weems Memorial Hospital is 11.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Florida Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Florida
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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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