1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Franklin County is $1,093 a month against a median household income of $77,003, about 17% of income (ACS 2020-24). County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Franklin County, and confirm each one's Pennsylvania license.
On this page
- A quick profile of Franklin County
- Paychecks and income spread in Franklin County
- Franklin County against other Pennsylvania counties
- Housing costs in Franklin County
- Jobs and commutes in Franklin County
- The counties around Franklin County
- Chambersburg and the rest of Franklin County
- Borrowing situations common in Franklin County
- Franklin County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- What a median Franklin County budget can carry
- A Franklin County borrower's checklist
- Checking a lender's license in Pennsylvania
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Franklin County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Franklin County's population at 157,379; only 22 of Pennsylvania's 67 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 772 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 204 per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Chambersburg, PA metropolitan area. Chambersburg (22,319 people) heads the county's list of 17 Census places, 7 incorporated and 10 census-designated.
Paychecks and income spread in Franklin County
Franklin County households have a median income of $77,003 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 19th of 67 in Pennsylvania.
| Household income | Franklin County | vs Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 17.7% | -4.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.5% | +7.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.9% | +0.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.9% | -3.9 pts |
The spread is wide: 36% of Franklin County households make $100,000 or more, and 18% make less than $35,000. Census counts 8.5% of Franklin County residents in poverty, against 11.7% across Pennsylvania. None of these numbers decides a Franklin County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Franklin County against other Pennsylvania counties
Out of every Pennsylvania county, Franklin County is most unusual on these measures.
- On households without a vehicle, Franklin County sits near the bottom of Pennsylvania at 4.6%, 3rd lowest of 67. Car ownership is close to universal, and so are repair bills.
- The poverty rate: 8.5% in Franklin County. Only 9 of 67 Pennsylvania counties are lower. A low poverty rate does not mean every budget has room; test the payment.
- Franklin County ranks 10th highest of 67 Pennsylvania counties for the uninsured rate: 8.9%, against 5.6% statewide. Ask any provider about financial assistance before borrowing for care.
Housing costs in Franklin County
$1,093 a month is the median gross rent in Franklin County, 10% below the state. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 41% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $249,800, about 3.2 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 74%. Half the housing stock was built before 1978. Against the median U.S. county, Franklin County rent is 25% above.
| Cost | Franklin County | Pennsylvania figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,093/mo | $1,209/mo | 10% lower |
| Median home value | $249,800 | $254,500 | 2% lower |
| Owners | 74% | 69% | +4.2 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 48% | -7.5 pts |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 24% | -0.1 pts |
At a $249,800 median value, many Franklin County owners hold equity. Using it lowers cost only if you can carry the risk (equity vs. unsecured).
Jobs and commutes in Franklin County
Education and health care employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 16%. Relative to Pennsylvania (11%), manufacturing is 4 points bigger in Franklin County (16%). 4.0% of Franklin County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. 13% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 10% work from home. No car: 4.6% of Franklin County households.
| Industry | Share of Franklin County workers | vs Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.8% | -1.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.6% | +4.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.3% | +0.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.0% | -3.3 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.7% | +1.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.7% | -0.7 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Franklin County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
The counties around Franklin County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (21 to 37 miles). 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Franklin County; Frederick County is highest at $122,002 and Huntingdon County lowest at $65,557. Some neighbors are in Maryland. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Franklin County resident follows Pennsylvania rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin County | - | $77,003 | $1,093/mo | 74% |
| Fulton County, PA | 21 mi | $65,836 | $809/mo | 78% |
| Washington County, MD | 23 mi | $77,747 | $1,147/mo | 67% |
| Adams County, PA | 27 mi | $84,092 | $1,115/mo | 79% |
| Cumberland County, PA | 29 mi | $87,494 | $1,249/mo | 71% |
| Frederick County, MD | 36 mi | $122,002 | $1,774/mo | 77% |
| Huntingdon County, PA | 37 mi | $65,557 | $810/mo | 79% |
Chambersburg and the rest of Franklin County
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 17 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 42% of Franklin County residents live in one of the 17. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $89,460, Guilford over Rouzerville. Rent is cheapest in Mercersburg ($804) and steepest in Mont Alto ($1,296). Chambersburg and every other Franklin County community use this county guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chambersburg | borough | 22,319 | $56,576 | $1,099 | 4 mi |
| Waynesboro | borough | 11,047 | $66,956 | $1,086 | 14 mi |
| Shippensburg | borough | 5,620 | $51,503 | $891 | 14 mi |
| Greencastle | borough | 4,222 | $77,419 | $932 | 9 mi |
| Guilford | CDP | 3,919 | $123,962 | $1,205 | 7 mi |
| Wayne Heights | CDP | 3,293 | $83,700 | $1,177 | 16 mi |
| State Line | CDP | 3,111 | $85,913 | $1,216 | 13 mi |
| Fayetteville | CDP | 2,593 | $58,819 | $896 | 9 mi |
| Mercersburg | borough | 1,725 | $66,114 | $804 | 12 mi |
| Mont Alto | borough | 1,632 | $80,556 | $1,296 | 11 mi |
| Scotland | CDP | 1,492 | $70,096 | $867 | 8 mi |
| Pen Mar | CDP | 1,171 | $117,825 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Blue Ridge Summit | CDP | 922 | $60,156 | $845 | 19 mi |
| Marion | CDP | 878 | $41,964 | n/a | 5 mi |
Borrowing situations common in Franklin County
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
Franklin County residents: age, schooling, coverage
25% of Franklin County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. Uninsured, Franklin County: 8.9%; Pennsylvania: 5.6%.
| Measure | Franklin County | Gap to Pennsylvania | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.1 | +1.2 yrs | +0.6 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.7% | -10.4 pts | +2.6 pts |
| No high school diploma | 8.7% | +0.8 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.9% | +3.3 pts | +1.0 pts |
| No vehicle | 4.6% | -5.8 pts | -0.8 pts |
| Work from home | 10.0% | -5.6 pts | +1.3 pts |
| Poverty rate | 8.5% | -3.2 pts | -4.7 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.0% | -1.3 pts | -0.4 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Franklin County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 37.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.4% |
| 60+ min | 6.6% |
What a median Franklin County budget can carry
DTI math using Franklin County medians ($77,003 income, $1,093 rent):
- $77,003 a year is $6,417 of gross monthly income
- Median rent: $1,093, or 17 cents of every gross dollar
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $1,474 left for all other debt payments
These are gross figures; take-home pay in Franklin County will be lower after taxes and deductions.
A Franklin County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Franklin County:
- Price the Franklin County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Checking a lender's license in Pennsylvania
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Franklin County borrowers answers to the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. More on Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
No city in Franklin County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Franklin County?
$77,003 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $77,971 for Pennsylvania. It ranks 19th of 67 in the state.
Is Franklin County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,093 against $1,209 statewide, and 41% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Franklin County?
By population: Chambersburg, Waynesboro, Shippensburg, Greencastle, Guilford. The county has 17 Census places in all.
Does living in Franklin County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Franklin County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who regulates personal lenders for Franklin County residents?
The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities licenses consumer lenders in Pennsylvania; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.