RANK #652 / 996 · POP 96,692 · WA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.2%
Franklin County, Washington, stands out as the fastest-growing county in the Pacific Northwest, notably becoming the first in the region with a Hispanic-majority population. Located in south-central Washington, at the confluence of the Columbia and Snake Rivers, the county seat of Pasco is part of the Tri-Cities metropolitan area, which also includes Richland and Kennewick across the Columbia River. This area offers a mix of urban amenities and access to outdoor recreation, including riverside trails along the Columbia River and the striking Palouse Falls State Park, home to Washington's official waterfall. Commute options within the Tri-Cities are supported by Ben Franklin Transit, offering fixed-route bus services and other transportation solutions.
Life in Franklin County is characterized by a relatively affordable cost of living compared to the state average, though median home values are higher than the national average. The economy, traditionally rooted in agriculture, has diversified to include food processing and manufacturing, with major food processing companies located in Pasco. The county's population growth continues to drive demand for services, including in education and healthcare. Franklin County's public school system serves a large student body across several districts, including Pasco School District and North Franklin School District.
Above national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.8x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Gateway Digital Campus & Beltline Energy Data Centers
Undisclosed Developers (supported by L.B. Eckelkamp, Jr. of Bank of Washington)
|
$1,000M | Proposed |
|
Amazon National Inbound Cross Dock
Amazon
|
$107M | Operating |
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 35/100, ranking #652 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.9% and a median household income of $77,877, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Franklin County is $308,700 with median rent at $1,124/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2523, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.4% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.9%. Home values changed -0.6% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 5.25% of Franklin County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.