RANK #146 / 996 · POP 51,475 · KY
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.4%
Frankfort, the state capital, defines Franklin County, Kentucky, situated along the Kentucky River in the Bluegrass region. It lies approximately 25-30 minutes northwest of Lexington and about 50 minutes southeast of Louisville, offering a convenient commute to both larger cities via I-64. The community maintains a small-town feel despite its capital status, characterized by historic architecture and a scenic environment. Outdoor recreation is abundant, with opportunities for hiking at Cove Spring Park, kayaking on Elkhorn Creek, and exploring the Josephine Sculpture Park.
Life in Franklin County is often described as quiet and family-friendly, with a strong sense of community. The public schools in Franklin County are rated above average. The economy benefits from state government employment, manufacturing, education, and healthcare. Recent economic development initiatives, such as the Franklin-Anderson Commerce and Technology (FACT) District, aim to attract advanced manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and ag-tech companies, projecting up to 1,000 new jobs with an average wage of $62,000. This focus on job creation and infrastructure development seeks to support local talent and long-term growth.
Above national median
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 2.6x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Franklin-Anderson Commerce and Technology (FACT) District
Franklin County / Anderson County / City of Frankfort / Lawrenceburg
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Aquaculture Protein Product Facility
Meridian Biotech
|
$40M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Franklin County has a Boom Town Index score of 85/100, ranking #146 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +3.4% and a median household income of $62,929, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Franklin County is $184,000 with median rent at $902/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.342, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.3% year-over-year. Job growth: +3.4%. Home values changed +0.5% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.95% of Franklin County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.