Population 55,130 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Franklin County
Household size in Franklin County
| Period | Franklin County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.29 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.38 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.38 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.38 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.08 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Franklin County is a place of small households, averaging 2.38 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.29, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the west and smallest in the southeast.
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 | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.0 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 44.5 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.8 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 47.6 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.6 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
Franklin County skews older: half of its residents are older than 47.6, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 44.0, as it has nationally.
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 | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.2% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.5% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.1% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.5% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.7 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in ten households in Franklin County (9.5%), below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 0.7 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.5% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.3% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 18.3% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 21.5% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.0 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Franklin County is largely a place of homeowners: only 21.5% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 46.8% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the center and least common in the northeast.
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 | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.3% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.1% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 19.5% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.2% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.9 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Franklin County: 17.2% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has risen 1.9 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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 | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1981 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1984 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1983 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1987 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +5 | +6 |
Homes in Franklin County are newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1987, versus 1980 across the U.S. The median year built has moved up from 1981 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northeast, the oldest in the center.
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 | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $690 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $700 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $761 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $938 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$248 | +$600 | +$606 |
The median renter in Franklin County pays $938 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $248 a month since 2006–10, up 36%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 24.5% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the southwest; the highest are in the northeast.
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 | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.0% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 19.8% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.4% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 25.0% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +10.0 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Franklin County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 25.0%, against 35.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 10.0 points, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the northeast and least in the south.
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 | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 79.7% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 83.3% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 87.9% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 91.2% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +11.5 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
About nine in ten adults in Franklin County have finished high school (91.2%), a bit above the national rate of 89.3%. That is in line with the rest of Virginia. The share with a diploma has risen 11.5 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.6% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.9% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.6% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.3% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.3 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Franklin County has been strong: just 2.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Few Virginia counties have lower unemployment: only 11 of 133. Unemployment has fallen 5.3 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 | 2.38 | 47.6 | 9.5% | 21.5% | 17.2% | 1987 | $938 | 25.0% | 91.2% | 2.3% |
| Floyd County | 2.35 | 47.9 | 7.0% | 16.1% | 16.1% | 1986 | $859 | 24.4% | 91.1% | 3.9% |
| Montgomery County | 2.44 | 35.0 | 6.8% | 44.7% | 14.0% | 1987 | $1,257 | 49.3% | 96.3% | 3.1% |
| Radford City | 2.44 | 31.1 | 5.2% | 57.7% | 15.9% | 1975 | $992 | 42.1% | 94.4% | 7.5% |
| Pulaski County | 2.29 | 46.3 | 9.4% | 26.6% | 14.4% | 1975 | $882 | 21.3% | 91.6% | 3.2% |
| Wythe County | 2.29 | 45.1 | 8.8% | 23.0% | 11.1% | 1980 | $826 | 19.3% | 89.9% | 4.2% |
| Charlotte County | 2.41 | 46.5 | 13.0% | 25.3% | 20.2% | 1981 | $761 | 20.4% | 82.7% | 3.0% |
| Bland County | 2.27 | 47.0 | 6.0% | 13.5% | 23.0% | 1982 | $714 | 18.6% | 92.6% | 2.4% |
| Lunenburg County | 2.39 | 43.7 | 10.3% | 28.5% | 18.1% | 1972 | $802 | 12.5% | 80.4% | 3.1% |
| Tazewell County | 2.35 | 46.0 | 9.7% | 25.6% | 17.0% | 1973 | $776 | 17.3% | 87.5% | 4.3% |
| Nottoway County | 2.29 | 43.8 | 11.6% | 33.4% | 19.1% | 1974 | $1,094 | 13.8% | 85.4% | 2.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Washington County, NY · Carson City, NV · Cherokee County, SC · Cherokee County, TX · Coffee County, AL · Coffee County, TN · Colbert County, AL · Columbia County, WI · Vega Baja Municipio, PR · Vermilion Parish, LA
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.
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