1st Advantage MortgageAbout 77% of Franklin County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $53,046. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Franklin County, GA: the basics
- Paychecks and income spread in Franklin County
- Jobs and commutes in Franklin County
- Renting and owning in Franklin County
- Places inside Franklin County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Budget math at the Franklin County median
- Who lives in Franklin County, in numbers
- Reading the Franklin County data as a borrower
- Before you sign
- Lender oversight for Franklin County
- More guides for Franklin County
- Frequently asked questions
Franklin County, GA: the basics
Franklin County is home to about 24,234 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 79th most populous of 159 county-level areas in Georgia. Land area is 261 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 93 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Franklin County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 6 places in the county (5 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Gumlog, with about 2,382 residents, or 10% of the county.
Paychecks and income spread in Franklin County
The median household income in Franklin County is $53,046; statewide it is $77,353, so Franklin County runs 31% below Georgia as a whole.
| Yearly household income | Franklin County | Gap to Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 33.9% | +11.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.6% | +4.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 17.6% | -8.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.8% | -7.0 pts |
About 34% of households earn under $35,000, while 22% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 19.5%, 6 points higher than the state's 13.4%. A household earning below the $53,046 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Jobs and commutes in Franklin County
Education and health care employs 20% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 18%. Manufacturing stands out: 18% of workers here, versus 10% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 5.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 20% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 5.6% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | Franklin County | Difference from Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.2% | -0.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.5% | +7.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.2% | +0.9 pts |
| Construction | 9.0% | +2.0 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.2% | +0.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.8% | -1.7 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Renting and owning in Franklin County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $844 in Franklin County versus $1,393 statewide. 37% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 16% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $179,000, about 3.4 times the median household income. Owners occupy 77% of homes. Median construction year: 1989.
| Home costs | Franklin County | Georgia | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $844/mo | $1,393/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $179,000 | $303,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 37% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 44% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 29.1% | 7.8% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 18% | 10% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Places inside Franklin County
The table lists the 6 largest of 6 Census places in Franklin County, by population. Together all 6 hold about 9,758 people, so roughly 60% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $85,000 at the median in Carnesville, $34,435 in Royston. Median rent ranges from $545 in Royston to $939 in Franklin Springs. Live in one of these Franklin County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gumlog | CDP | 2,382 | $68,571 | $908 | 11 mi |
| Lavonia | city | 2,279 | $36,859 | $904 | 8 mi |
| Royston | city | 2,258 | $34,435 | $545 | 9 mi |
| Franklin Springs | city | 1,108 | $75,729 | $939 | 8 mi |
| Canon | city | 879 | $42,308 | $857 | 7 mi |
| Carnesville | city | 852 | $85,000 | $919 | 0 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Six nearby counties, 13 to 26 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $54,754 in Stephens County to $89,544 in Jackson County; all six of these neighbors top Franklin County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin County | - | $53,046 | $844/mo | 77% |
| Stephens County, GA | 13 mi | $54,754 | $820/mo | 74% |
| Hart County, GA | 15 mi | $59,385 | $844/mo | 78% |
| Banks County, GA | 16 mi | $77,063 | $827/mo | 79% |
| Madison County, GA | 17 mi | $61,963 | $972/mo | 77% |
| Habersham County, GA | 25 mi | $67,309 | $974/mo | 73% |
| Jackson County, GA | 26 mi | $89,544 | $1,126/mo | 79% |
Budget math at the Franklin County median
Here is the Franklin County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $53,046 a year is $4,420 of gross monthly income
- Median rent: $844, or 19 cents of every gross dollar
- $747: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Who lives in Franklin County, in numbers
18% of Franklin County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 18.3% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Franklin County | Georgia statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.1 | 37.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.8% | 34.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.9% | 10.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 18.3% | 12.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.6% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.6% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 19.5% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.9% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 32.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.3% |
| 60+ min | 10.8% |
Reading the Franklin County data as a borrower
Where the Franklin County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Hospital bills in Franklin County. For the 18% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Keeping the car running. At 20% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Franklin County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Mobile home upkeep. 29% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- 20% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
Before you sign
Quick steps for Franklin County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Franklin County-area credit union.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Georgia borrowers.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Lender oversight for Franklin County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Franklin County resident can confirm its license with the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. See the Georgia state guide for the statewide picture.
More guides for Franklin County
The Georgia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Franklin County household make?
About $53,046 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 31% below the Georgia median.
Is Franklin County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $844 against $1,393 statewide, and 37% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Does this page cover Gumlog?
Yes, along with the other 5 Census places in Franklin County, such as Lavonia, Royston, Franklin Springs.
Will a Franklin County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Georgia as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Franklin County?
Start with the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.