Population 1,333,048 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Franklin County: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Franklin County
Household size in Franklin County
| Period | Franklin County | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.49 | 2.56 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.53 | 2.59 | 2.51 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.52 | 2.60 | 2.47 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.47 | 2.56 | 2.46 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.02 | +0.00 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
The average household in Franklin County has 2.47 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Households are largest in the southwest and smallest in the center.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Franklin County
| Period | Franklin County | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.0 | 36.2 | 39.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 35.6 | 37.0 | 40.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 36.0 | 37.6 | 40.7 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 36.2 | 37.9 | 40.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.2 | +1.7 | +1.8 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Franklin County is 36.2 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 35.0 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only one other Ohio county is younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Franklin County
| Period | Franklin County | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.3% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 13.5% | 12.1% | 11.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 13.6% | 12.3% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 14.5% | 12.7% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.2 pts | +0.7 pts | −0.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are more common in Franklin County than nationally: 14.5%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share is up 1.2 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Only one other Ohio county has a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Franklin County
Renters in Franklin County
| Period | Franklin County | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.7% | 35.4% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 45.6% | 37.9% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 46.6% | 38.5% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 47.2% | 38.7% | 32.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +4.5 pts | +3.3 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in Franklin County than nationally: 47.2% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. About a third of owners (32.7%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 4.5 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Franklin County has the highest share of renters of any Ohio county.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Franklin County
| Period | Franklin County | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.8% | 10.9% | 10.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.3% | 10.0% | 10.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.1% | 8.8% | 10.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.9% | 7.9% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.9 pts | −2.9 pts | −2.2 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in Franklin County as nationally: 8.9%, against 9.6%. Vacancy is down 3.9 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Franklin County
| Period | Franklin County | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1974 | 1976 | 1968 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1975 | 1977 | 1969 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1976 | 1979 | 1970 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1979 | 1982 | 1972 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +6 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Franklin County are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1979, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1974 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the south has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Franklin County
| Period | Franklin County | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $846 | $852 | $765 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $919 | $924 | $814 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,056 | $1,051 | $901 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,393 | $1,378 | $1,142 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$546 | +$526 | +$377 | +$606 |
The median renter in Franklin County pays $1,393 a month for rent and utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $546 a month from 2006–10, a 65% jump, roughly in step with the nation. Rent takes 29.8% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the center; the highest are in the northwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Franklin County
Bachelor's degrees in Franklin County
| Period | Franklin County | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.0% | 33.3% | 25.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 37.2% | 34.4% | 26.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 40.4% | 37.6% | 28.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 41.6% | 40.2% | 31.9% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.6 pts | +6.9 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are a bit more common in Franklin County than nationally: 41.6% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 5.6 points, mirroring the country. Few Ohio counties have a higher share of college graduates: only four of 88.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Franklin County
| Period | Franklin County | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 89.1% | 89.6% | 87.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 89.6% | 90.2% | 88.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.1% | 91.6% | 90.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 91.0% | 92.2% | 91.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.9 pts | +2.6 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
About nine in ten adults in Franklin County have finished high school (91.0%), a bit above the national rate of 89.3%. The Columbus area as a whole looks much the same. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 1.9 points, as it has nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Franklin County
| Period | Franklin County | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.3% | 7.6% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.6% | 7.8% | 9.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.1% | 4.6% | 5.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.8% | 4.3% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.6 pts | −3.4 pts | −3.8 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 4.8%, unemployment in Franklin County is close to the national rate of 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 3.6 points, mirroring the country. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Franklin County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin County | 2.47 | 36.2 | 14.5% | 47.2% | 8.9% | 1979 | $1,393 | 41.6% | 91.0% | 4.8% |
| Madison County | 2.64 | 41.7 | 10.1% | 22.5% | 7.3% | 1974 | $999 | 25.3% | 89.8% | 4.6% |
| Licking County | 2.67 | 40.4 | 10.2% | 26.3% | 7.1% | 1980 | $1,197 | 29.9% | 93.4% | 3.3% |
| Champaign County | 2.49 | 43.2 | 9.8% | 23.2% | 8.6% | 1967 | $952 | 19.2% | 91.3% | 4.7% |
| Clark County | 2.42 | 42.3 | 13.6% | 30.6% | 9.3% | 1963 | $954 | 20.1% | 88.9% | 6.8% |
| Muskingum County | 2.49 | 40.6 | 14.4% | 31.8% | 11.1% | 1972 | $870 | 21.4% | 90.5% | 4.5% |
| Miami County | 2.50 | 42.1 | 9.5% | 26.6% | 5.9% | 1973 | $1,041 | 27.7% | 92.5% | 3.0% |
| Guernsey County | 2.38 | 42.1 | 11.6% | 27.9% | 13.5% | 1971 | $942 | 15.1% | 86.9% | 5.0% |
| Darke County | 2.46 | 42.1 | 10.0% | 27.6% | 6.5% | 1961 | $819 | 16.7% | 90.9% | 2.8% |
| Randolph County | 2.34 | 42.1 | 13.0% | 22.7% | 9.7% | 1956 | $779 | 14.6% | 91.1% | 4.2% |
| Belmont County | 2.35 | 45.0 | 11.7% | 26.4% | 13.7% | 1968 | $839 | 19.2% | 92.3% | 5.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: San Bernardino County, CA · Clark County, NV · King County, WA · Honolulu County, HI · Collin County, TX · Middlesex County, MA · New York County, NY · Salt Lake County, UT · Sacramento County, CA · Nassau County, NY
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Franklin County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.