Franklin County
VA · Pop. 54,958 · Suburban County
Franklin County is a suburban county in Virginia, spanning 691 square miles with 54,958 residents at a density of 79.5 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $223,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.53%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 177-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.9°F and average winter lows of 26.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital is 0.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 81.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.53% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 0.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.5% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 11.5% 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 a glance
Franklin County, VA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 69/100
- Median home price
- $223k
- Property tax
- 0.53%
- Growing season
- 177 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 47.1"
- Broadband
- 81.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital, 0.5 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 7b with a 177-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.9°F, and average winter lows of 26.2°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $223,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.53%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 81.6% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital is 0.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Virginia 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 Virginia
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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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