1st Advantage Mortgage23% of Franklin County households earn $100,000 or more; the median is $53,338 (ACS 2020-24). Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Franklin County, AL: the basics
- Where Franklin County households live
- Work, industries and travel time in Franklin County
- How Franklin County ranks in Alabama
- Paychecks and income spread in Franklin County
- Franklin County and the counties next door
- Towns and communities in Franklin County
- Debt-to-income at Franklin County's medians
- Age, degrees and coverage in Franklin County
- Before borrowing in Franklin County
- Lender oversight for Franklin County
- A Franklin County borrower's checklist
- Beyond Franklin County
- Frequently asked questions
Franklin County, AL: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Franklin County's population at 31,966; only 36 of Alabama's 67 county-level areas are larger. Density: about 50.4 residents per square mile across 634 square miles of land. No metropolitan area includes Franklin County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 7 places in the county (5 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is Russellville, with about 10,799 residents, or 34% of the county.
Where Franklin County households live
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $676 in Franklin County versus $1,007 statewide. By the Census definition, 36% of Franklin County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $136,000, or 2.5 years of median income. Homeowners 72%, renters 28%.
| Housing | Franklin County | Alabama statewide | Franklin County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent-burdened renters | 36% | 49% | -12.9 pts |
| Median home value | $136,000 | $209,900 | 35% lower |
| Median gross rent | $676/mo | $1,007/mo | 33% lower |
| Mobile homes | 15.3% | 12.3% | +3.0 pts |
| Owners | 72% | 70% | +2.2 pts |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 24% | +1.7 pts |
Because most Franklin County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Work, industries and travel time in Franklin County
Manufacturing employs 29% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 21%. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 29% locally and 14% for Alabama. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.6% in Franklin County. Long commutes are common here: 17% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Where residents work | Franklin County | Difference from Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 29.2% | +15.1 pts |
| Education and health care | 20.7% | -1.9 pts |
| Construction | 10.2% | +3.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.3% | -3.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.3% | -3.8 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.0% | +0.1 pts |
Seasonal work is common in many Franklin County industries; if that is you, show a full year of income rather than one strong month.
How Franklin County ranks in Alabama
Ranked against the other 66 county-level areas in Alabama, these are the Franklin County figures furthest from the middle.
- On the uninsured rate, Franklin County sits near the top of Alabama at 12.7%, 3rd highest of 67. Hospital payment plans are usually interest-free; compare before a loan.
- Franklin County ranks 4th lowest of 67 Alabama counties for the share of workers who work from home: 2.3%, against 8.8% statewide. Most workers travel to a job here, so commuting costs are part of the budget.
- On the share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent, Franklin County sits near the bottom of Alabama at 36%, 6th lowest of 67. Rents are manageable for most, which can leave space for savings.
- Franklin County ranks 10th lowest of 67 Alabama counties for median age: 38.0, against 39.3 statewide. A young county means many first-time borrowers; read every fee line.
Paychecks and income spread in Franklin County
Half of Franklin County households take in less than $53,338 a year and half take in more, 17% below the Alabama median of $63,999.
| Yearly household income | Franklin County | Gap to Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 36.1% | +7.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.0% | -0.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.5% | -2.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.3% | -5.4 pts |
On the low end, 36% of Franklin County households report under $35,000; at the top, 23% report $100,000-plus. Census counts 19.1% of Franklin County residents in poverty, against 15.6% across Alabama. None of these numbers decides a Franklin County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Franklin County and the counties next door
Distances run center to center, from Colbert County at 18 miles out to Winston County at 34. Richest neighbor: Lawrence County, $66,071. Poorest: Marion County, $50,088. Franklin County: $53,338. The list crosses into Mississippi, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin County | - | $53,338 | $676/mo | 72% |
| Colbert County, AL | 18 mi | $60,628 | $887/mo | 71% |
| Marion County, AL | 21 mi | $50,088 | $630/mo | 77% |
| Lawrence County, AL | 30 mi | $66,071 | $753/mo | 82% |
| Tishomingo County, MS | 30 mi | $53,040 | $682/mo | 80% |
| Itawamba County, MS | 32 mi | $55,546 | $811/mo | 79% |
| Winston County, AL | 34 mi | $57,256 | $803/mo | 76% |
Towns and communities in Franklin County
The table lists the 7 largest of 7 Census places in Franklin County, by population. Together all 7 hold about 15,805 people, so roughly 51% of residents live outside any named place. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $20,758, Russellville over Red Bay. Rent is cheapest in Red Bay ($542) and steepest in Russellville ($685). Russellville and every other Franklin County community use this county guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russellville | city | 10,799 | $58,231 | $685 | 8 mi |
| Red Bay | city | 3,201 | $37,473 | $542 | 17 mi |
| Phil Campbell | town | 780 | $42,969 | $644 | 10 mi |
| Hodges | town | 420 | $69,286 | $638 | 9 mi |
| Vina | town | 358 | $44,167 | $679 | 13 mi |
| Spruce Pine | CDP | 189 | $97,978 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Belgreen | CDP | 58 | $47,946 | n/a | 2 mi |
Debt-to-income at Franklin County's medians
How much room does a median Franklin County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $53,338 a year is $4,445 of gross monthly income
- Less median rent of $676, which is 15% of it
- $924: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
These are gross figures; take-home pay in Franklin County will be lower after taxes and deductions.
Age, degrees and coverage in Franklin County
In Franklin County, 16% of adults have at least a four-year degree (28% in Alabama). Health coverage gaps: 12.7% of Franklin County residents are uninsured.
| Measure | Franklin County | Gap to Alabama | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.0 | -1.3 yrs | -3.5 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.8% | -12.5 pts | -6.3 pts |
| No high school diploma | 19.5% | +8.2 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.7% | +3.5 pts | +4.9 pts |
| No vehicle | 7.7% | +2.4 pts | +2.3 pts |
| Work from home | 2.3% | -6.5 pts | -6.3 pts |
| Poverty rate | 19.1% | +3.5 pts | +6.0 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.6% | -1.1 pts | -0.8 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 33.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.4% |
| 60+ min | 7.9% |
Before borrowing in Franklin County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Franklin County borrowers.
- 13% uninsured. In Franklin County, ask for an itemized bill and a payment plan first (medical bills).
- Manufactured homes. 15% of Franklin County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Free help first. 19% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
Lender oversight for Franklin County
Consumer lenders serving Franklin County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Alabama that is the Alabama State Banking Department. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov.
A Franklin County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Franklin County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Alabama.
- Ask a Franklin County credit union about member loans.
Beyond Franklin County
For statewide rules and data, see the Alabama guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Franklin County?
$53,338 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $63,999 for Alabama. It ranks 36th of 67 in the state.
What do renters pay in Franklin County?
$676 a month at the median, about 15% of median household income.
I live near Russellville. Which guide is mine?
This one. Russellville and the rest of Franklin County have no separate city guide.
Will a Franklin County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Alabama as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Who regulates personal lenders for Franklin County residents?
The Alabama State Banking Department licenses consumer lenders in Alabama; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.