Franklin County
NY · Pop. 47,066 · Suburban County
Franklin County, New York covers 1,629 square miles with a population of 47,066 and a density of 28.9 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $129,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.88%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 100-day growing season, average summer highs of 74°F and average winter lows of 4.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 37.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. The University of Vermont Health Network - Alice Hyde Medical Center is 18.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 80.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $129,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- A median household income of $63,747 anchors the local economy.
- The University of Vermont Health Network - Alice Hyde Medical Center provides the area's nearest hospital care, 18.2 miles away.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 100-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.88% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 4.2°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Franklin County, NY is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 47/100
- Median home price
- $129k
- Property tax
- 1.88%
- Growing season
- 100 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 37.5"
- Broadband
- 80.9%
- Nearest hospital
- The University of Vermont Health Network - Alice Hyde Medical Center, 18.2 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 4a with a 100-day growing season, average summer highs of 74°F, and average winter lows of 4.2°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $129,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.88%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 80.9% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- The University of Vermont Health Network - Alice Hyde Medical Center is 18.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
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More counties in New York
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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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