Franklin County
PA · Pop. 156,626 · Mixed County
Franklin County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Pennsylvania, spanning 772 square miles with 156,626 residents at a density of 202.9 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, corn, haylage. A median home price of $236,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.11% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 182-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.8°F and average winter lows of 24.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 41.7 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. The Chambersburg Hospital is 4.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 97% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- The Chambersburg Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 4.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, corn, haylage means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.8% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 7.8% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- At 202.9 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Franklin County, PA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 44/100
- Median home price
- $236k
- Property tax
- 1.11%
- Growing season
- 182 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 41.7"
- Broadband
- 97%
- Nearest hospital
- The Chambersburg Hospital, 4.2 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 7a with a 182-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.8°F, and average winter lows of 24.5°F. The established crops are hay, corn, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $236,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.11%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- The Chambersburg Hospital is 4.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.
Explore Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
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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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