A life in Franklin County, Alabama

Where you are

You live in Franklin County, Alabama. 32,011 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -144).

Alabama's property taxes are among the lowest in the country because assessments are capped at a fraction of market value, but the state makes it up with one of the highest combined sales-tax rates, and groceries are taxed. Huntsville's aerospace and defense payroll sets it apart from the rest of the state; the Gulf coast around Mobile and Baldwin County carries real hurricane exposure and insurance costs to match.

Money

The typical household here brings in $47,359 a year, lower than 84% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $48,266. Unemployment runs 2.3%, lower than 88% of American counties. 2% of workers work from home.

Alabama takes 4.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,328 a year.

Home

The median home costs $181K, cheaper than 71% of American counties, about 2.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $543 a month. Property tax is 0.33% of home value, roughly $396 a year on that median home, lower than 98% of American counties. 73% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.7 per 1,000 residents, higher than 88% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 35 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 72.4 years, shorter than 85% of American counties. There are 20 active physicians in the county, about 6.2 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 13.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.55 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 93% of American counties. 80% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 66 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 57% of eligible voters turned out. Under Alabama law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 62°F, highs near 72 and lows near 51, warmer than 72% of American counties. About 60 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 65 out of 100, riskier than 66% of American counties; the county has had 22 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 304 Mbps down, faster than 96% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.

Sources for this story

• BLS QCEW 2024
• CDC 2024
• CMS 2024
• Census 2023
• Census ACS
• Census ACS 2022
• Census Population Estimates 2023
• Census SAHIE 2024
• County Health Rankings 2024
• DataSpine derived — ACS 2022 home value / household income
• FAA Airport Database
• FEMA Disaster Declarations 1953–2026
• FEMA National Risk Index 2023 (0–100, all hazards)
• HRSA Area Health Resources File 2023
• IMLS
• NOAA Climate Normals
• National Park Service
• Ookla Speedtest Intelligence
• Open Brewery DB
• OpenElections 2024
• SEDA via County Health Rankings 2024 (3.0 = at grade level; not a Z-score)
• Tax Foundation 2023
• USDA Food Environment Atlas
• Zillow ZHVI 2024
• Alabama tax and law data: state revenue department, Tax Foundation, Giffords, Guttmacher (2026)

Percentiles compare this county with every other county that reports the same figure. Missing figures are left out rather than guessed. Share this page: the address is permanent.