Franklin
Maine

What stands out

If you had to describe Franklin County in numbers, start here: the average temperature is among the coldest in America (41°F), the restaurant count per person is in the top 6% of American counties (1.5 per 1,000), and the overdose death rate is in the top 13% of American counties (31 per 100,000). Within Maine it ranks 2nd of 16 counties for the average temperature, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Franklin County, Maine. 29,839 people live here with you. The population grew 0.8% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +403).

Maine has the oldest population of any state, a graduated income tax that reaches 7.15% at moderate incomes, and an estate tax with a $7 million exemption. It does not tax Social Security and exempts a portion of pension income. Coastal property from Portland to Bar Harbor carries prices closer to Massachusetts than to the inland counties, where homes remain inexpensive.

Money

The typical household here brings in $56,890 a year, lower than 62% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $48,419. Unemployment runs 3.6%, higher than 57% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 25 minutes each way.

Maine takes 6.3% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,580 a year.

Home

The median home costs $293K, pricier than 68% of American counties, about 2.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $915 a month. Property tax is 1.14% of home value, roughly $1,948 a year on that median home, higher than 69% of American counties. 76% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.6 per 1,000 residents, lower than 68% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 31 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 77.3 years, longer than 67% of American counties. There are 66 active physicians in the county, about 22.1 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 9.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.71 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 85% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 30 points. 72% of eligible voters turned out. Under Maine law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 41°F, highs near 51 and lows near 31, colder than almost every county in America. About 40 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 39 out of 100, safer than 61% of American counties; the county has had 85 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 219 Mbps down, faster than 59% of American counties. There are 6 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 5 museums.