Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Franklin, VA
Considering a move to Franklin, VA? With a friendly small-town feel and a population of just over 8,000, Franklin offers affordable living—median home prices are around $170,000 and average rents just $880. Commutes are short at about 21 minutes, and you’ll find local schools with low student-teacher ratios. While crime rates are above national averages, the city features a mild climate with nearly 60% sunny days and convenient access to local healthcare and community college options. Explore Franklin’s welcoming community and affordable lifestyle below.
Demographics - Franklin, VA
Demographics - Franklin, VA
Franklin, Virginia is home to just over 8,000 residents, with a community that is predominantly Black (56.2%) and White (39.6%). The city has a median age of 41.2, and around 4.5% of the population speaks a language other than English at home, reflecting modest cultural diversity.
Population:
8,046
Density:
655 per sq mi
Median Age:
41.2
Gender Ratio:
86 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
4.5%

Ethnic Composition
White:
39.6%
Black:
56.2%
Asian:
0.6%
Others:
3.6%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Franklin, VA?
Franklin boasts a cost of living index of 83.2, making it more affordable than the national average, with median home values at $170,000 and average monthly rent around $880. Utility and grocery costs are reasonable, and state taxes range from 2.0% to 5.75%, making it attractive for budget-conscious movers.
Median House Value:
$170,000
Gross Rent:
$880
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$120
Auto Insurance:
$1,120
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$1,170
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$400
State Taxes:
Low:
2.0%
|
High:
5.75%
Cost Of Living Index:
83.2
Grocery:
95.0
Housing:
65.0
Utilities:
100.0
Transportation:
87.0
Health Care:
94.0
Miscellaneous:
95.0
Crime
Is Franklin, VA a safe place to live?
The city experiences higher-than-average crime rates, with 330 violent crimes and 2,380 property crimes per 100,000 residents. Residents have a 1 in 303 chance of being affected by violent crime and a 1 in 42 chance for property crime, so safety precautions are recommended.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
330
Property Crimes Per 100k:
2,380
Crime Index:
2,710
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 303
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 42
Weather
What is the weather like in Franklin, VA year-round?
Franklin offers a mild climate with warm summers reaching highs of 89°F and cool winters averaging 49°F. The area receives about 47 inches of rainfall annually and enjoys sunshine about 59% of the year, making for pleasant outdoor living.

Winter
Min:
30°F
Max:
49°F

Spring
Min:
48°F
Max:
73°F

Summer
Min:
66°F
Max:
89°F

Fall
Min:
50°F
Max:
75°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
47 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
59%
Neighbors
Households in Franklin have a median income of $39,047, with a noticeable poverty rate of 22.1%. The community enjoys short average commutes of about 21 minutes, and a majority (84.7%) have completed high school, though only 16.5% hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Median Income:
$33,700
Household Income:
$39,047
Family Income:
$46,100
Per Capita Income:
$23,400
Income Male:
$34,800
Income Female:
$29,600
Poverty Rate:
22.1%
Non English Speakers:
4.5%
Rent:
$880
Unemployment Rate:
6.9%
Public Transport Usage:
0.7%
Commute Time:
20.7 minutes

Education
High School or Higher:
84.7%
Bachelors or More:
16.5%
Education
How are the schools in Franklin, VA?
Franklin provides access to several public schools with low student-teacher ratios, supporting personalized learning. The city is also home to Paul D. Camp Community College, making higher education easily accessible for residents.

Public Schools
Name:
S.P. Morton Elementary School
Street:
300 Morton St
Phone:
757-562-5458
Students:
640
Student Teacher Ratio:
14.5
Name:
J.P. King Jr. Middle School
Street:
501 Charles St
Phone:
757-562-4631
Students:
410
Student Teacher Ratio:
13.8
Name:
Franklin High School
Street:
310 Crescent Dr
Phone:
757-562-5187
Students:
350
Student Teacher Ratio:
13.2

Private Schools
Name:
Rock Church School
Street:
130 Lakeview Rd
Phone:
757-562-3878
Students:
130

Colleges
Name:
Paul D. Camp Community College
City:
Franklin
State:
VA
Distance:
0 miles
Students:
1,200
Healthcare
Franklin residents are served by Southampton Memorial Hospital, which offers general and emergency services. The area has 1.7 physicians per 1,000 residents and nearly 90% health insurance coverage, ensuring reasonable access to healthcare.

Major Hospitals
Name:
Southampton Memorial Hospital
Address:
100 Fairview Dr, Franklin, VA 23851
Phone:
(757) 569-6100
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
1.7
Health Insurance Coverage:
89.4%
Health Care Index:
67.5
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Franklin, VA?
With a median home price of $170,000 and a home appreciation rate of 3.4% over the past year, Franklin offers an accessible housing market. Just over half of homes are owner-occupied, and average rent for a two-bedroom is $880, making it ideal for both buyers and renters.
Median Home Price:
$170,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$880
Owner Occupied Rate:
51.2%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
8.3%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
3.4%
New Construction Rate:
1.2%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.6%
DMV Information
Franklin's vehicle services are managed by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, conveniently located on North Main Street. Residents can access essential DMV services locally or visit the state website for more information.
State:
Virginia
Department:
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
Address:
610 North Main Street, Franklin, VA 23851
Phone:
1-804-497-7100
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.