Franklin
Massachusetts

Where you are

You live in Franklin County, Massachusetts. 70,980 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -51).

Massachusetts has a flat 5% income tax plus a 4% surtax on income above about $1 million, an estate tax that begins at $2 million, and some of the highest home prices in the country inside Route 128. It does not tax Social Security. Health insurance coverage is the highest of any state, a legacy of the 2006 reform that preceded the federal law.

Money

The typical household here brings in $70,383 a year, higher than 75% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $54,261. Unemployment runs 3.4%, lower than 51% of American counties. 14% of workers work from home.

Massachusetts takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,519 a year.

Home

The median home costs $373K, pricier than 82% of American counties, about 3.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,257 a month. Property tax is 1.57% of home value, roughly $4,467 a year on that median home, higher than 88% of American counties. 70% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.2 per 1,000 residents, lower than 82% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 18 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 79.7 years, longer than 89% of American counties. There are 110 active physicians in the county, about 15.5 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 3.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.10 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 54% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 33 points. 75% of eligible voters turned out. Under Massachusetts law you need local approval to carry a concealed handgun, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 47°F, highs near 58 and lows near 37, colder than 84% of American counties. About 44 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 53 out of 100, riskier than 53% of American counties; the county has had 22 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 239 Mbps down, faster than 68% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.0 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 5 breweries, 7 museums.