RANK #640 / 996 · POP 70,980 · MA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.3%
Franklin County, Massachusetts, is defined by its rural character and natural scenery, with the Connecticut River bisecting its forested hills. Greenfield serves as the county seat and most populous community. The county is located in western Massachusetts, bordering New Hampshire and Vermont, and offers a commute to larger cities like Boston, approximately 45 minutes to 1.5 hours away by car, depending on traffic. Commuter rail options are also available from towns like Franklin to Boston's South Station. The area is known for outdoor recreation, including hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, and zip-lining, with attractions like the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls and Mount Sugarloaf providing scenic views.
Life in Franklin County often appeals to those seeking a balance of community and access to nature. The region's public schools include options like Four Rivers Charter Public School and Greenfield Public Schools. While some residents commute to nearby urban centers, the local economy is supported by sectors such as manufacturing and agriculture, with a focus on local food and beverage producers. Recent economic development efforts have focused on revitalizing downtown areas in towns like Northfield, Turners Falls, and Shelburne Falls, and expanding infrastructure to support job creation and housing.
Above national median (4.7x)
Contracting economy
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 7.0x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Wendell Battery Energy Storage System (105 MW)
Undisclosed
|
$105M | Proposed |
|
Community Solar Portfolio (Multiple Projects)
Various (e.g., Plankton Energy, Kearsarge Energy, Navisun LLC, FirstLight Power Resources, Inc. - MA)
|
$50M | Operating/Under Construction |
|
Maplegate Country Club Solar Redevelopment (30 MW)
NextGrid
|
$38M | Under Construction |
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 36/100, ranking #640 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -1.9% and a median household income of $70,383, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Franklin County is $284,100 with median rent at $1,109/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2477, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: -1.9%. Home values changed -0.6% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.11% of Franklin County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.