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Franklin, WV

West Virginia

Franklin is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 387. Residents earn $81,071 per year, which is 8% above the national average.

4.6 /5.0
A+ Excellent
387 Population 691/sq mi density
$81,071 Median Income $35,360 per capita
$213,500 Home Value $214,324 Zillow
$732 Median Rent 22.5% income on rent
53°F Avg Temperature 302 sunny days/yr
A+
Overall
4.6 / 5.0
Excellent overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$81,071 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$213,500 home value, $732/mo rent
A
Education
4.3 / 5.0
40.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $81,071
8% higher than US avg
Home Value $213,500
24% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 40.9%
21% higher than US avg
Median Rent $732
37% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.3%
10% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.9%
44% lower than US avg

How Franklin Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population387
Median Age54.4 yrs
Density691/mi²
Male / Female43% / 57%
Largest GroupWhite 94%
Veterans11.4%

Economy

A+
Median Income$81,071
Per Capita$35,360
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty6.9%
County GDP$233M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$213,500
Rent$732
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$214,324
Housing Units233
Rent Burden22.5%

Health

Obesity35.3%
Uninsured8.6%
Smoking18.6%
Depression32.3%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F (11°C)
AQI39 (Good)
Rain38.5 in/yr
Sunny Days302/yr
Elevation1,804 ft (550 m)

Education

A
Bachelor's+40.9%
High School+85.8%
Graduate+15.2%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 78% / D 20%
Commute21 min
Broadband91.8%
Libraries1

Is Franklin a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Franklin receives an overall livability score of 4.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A+. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Franklin stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Franklin is $81,071, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 6.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Franklin is $213,500, 24% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $732 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 40.9% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 85.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Franklin experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. With 302 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 38.5 inches, including 26.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Franklin has a population of 387 with a density of 691 people per square mile. The median age is 54.4 years, 40% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.1%), with 5.2% Black.

Population

387
Total Population
691
People / sq mi
54.4yrs
Median Age
40% above US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 43.4%
Female 56.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Franklin vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.2%
21% above US avg
Spanish4.8%
64% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Franklin vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Franklin is $81,071, which is 8% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Franklin vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$81,071
8% above US avg
Per Capita Income$35,360
Avg Weekly Wage$778
IRS Avg AGI$50,592

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.9%
44% below US avg
Establishments (County)228
County GDP$233M

Business (County)

Restaurants16
Healthcare16
Retail22
Manufacturing7

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,850
47% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.87%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.0 min
Drive Alone71.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home8.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Franklin is $213,500, 24% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $732 (37% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $214,324.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$213,500
24% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$214,324

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$732
37% below US avg
Rent Burden22.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$714
1 Bedroom$766
2 Bedrooms$945
3 Bedrooms$1,231
4 Bedrooms$1,380

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied60.3%
Housing Units233
Median Year Built1962

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,850
47% below US avg
Effective Rate0.87%
In Franklin, 35.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.6% of residents lack health insurance. 18.6% are current smokers. 32.3% report depression. 29.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Franklin vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.3%
10% above US avg
Diabetes11.5%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure35.4%
Asthma12.2%
COPD7.8%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking18.6%
33% above US avg
Binge Drinking16.5%
Physical Inactivity29.0%
Depression32.3%
Mental Distress22.6%
Physical Distress15.1%
Short Sleep42.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.7%
Uninsured8.6%
0% below US avg
Checkup Rate77.9%
Dental Visits52.3%
Premature Death10,533/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.5/10
Exercise Access86.8%
Healthcare Facilities16
Franklin has an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.5 inches. The area enjoys 302 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

33°F Jan (0°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average52.6°F
3% below US avg
January Average33°F (0°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days302 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.5 inches
1% above US avg
Snowfall26.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,804 ft (550 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density691/sq mi
Coordinates38.6453°N, 79.3333°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
County FIPS54071
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 40.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (21% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 58.6-point margin. 91.8% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 78.5%
D 19.9%

Winner: Republican by 58.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+40.9%
21% above US avg
High School+85.8%
Graduate Degree+15.2%
School Test Score4.81
A Education Grade (4.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density691/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access91.8%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities16
Restaurants16
Retail Stores22

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.0 min
Drive Alone71.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home8.4%

Nearby Cities

Belmont Estates, VA 1,037 pop · 26.1 mi Dayton, VA 2,023 pop · 26.4 mi Petersburg, WV 3,172 pop · 26.6 mi Bridgewater, VA 6,650 pop · 26.7 mi Harrisonburg, VA 51,492 pop · 28.8 mi Broadway, VA 4,221 pop · 28.8 mi Timberville, VA 2,998 pop · 30.2 mi Massanetta Springs, VA 6,028 pop · 32.2 mi Basye, VA 1,416 pop · 32.4 mi Weyers Cave, VA 2,243 pop · 33.9 mi Elkins, WV 6,875 pop · 34.0 mi Moorefield, WV 2,952 pop · 35.3 mi New Market, VA 2,159 pop · 35.7 mi Verona, VA 4,274 pop · 35.8 mi
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