Franklin: Economy & Jobs

Households in Franklin earn a median $63,245 (about the same as Franklin city median $63,245; 1.5× below Virginia median $93,170), with homes at a median value of $256,600. The surrounding county supports 3,982 jobs (avg $41,607).

Income & Affordability

Median household income $63,245 — below the Virginia median ($92,968). Poverty rate 19.3% (U.S. average ~12.5%). 47% of renters spend more than half their income on rent ("severely cost-burdened" by HUD definition; U.S. ~24%).

Affordability · Home Price To Income4.1×
Affordability · Home Affordabilitymoderate
Affordability · Rent Pct Income18.9%
Affordability · Rent Affordabilityaffordable
Affordability · Pct Severely Rent Burdened46.7%
Affordability · Poverty Rate19.3%
Affordability · Property Tax Pct Income2.9%
Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed$3,710
Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands)$204,465
Irs Income · Average AGI per return$55,112 (vs Virginia $92,983)
Irs Income · Year2022
Income Estimate$74,211
Median Household Income$63,245 (vs Virginia $92,968) median_household_income: 4 observations from 2026-04-23 to 2026-04-29
Poverty Rate19.3%

Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023  ·  Refreshed 2026-04-12

Economic Character

Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.

Economic Character · Workforcemixed
Economic Character · Top IndustryEducation Healthcare
Economic Character · Income Levelmiddle-class
Economic Character · Median Income$63,245

Employment & Workforce

Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 4.5% — above the U.S. average of ~4%. 5% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).

Commuter Profile · Mean Commute Min23.30
Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct4.7%
Commuter Profile · Profileshort commute
Employment · Avg annual employment (county)3,982
Employment · Total annual wages (county)$165,659,774
Employment · Average annual pay$41,607
Employment · Year2024
State Occupation Wages · Year2023
State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code00-0000
State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · TitleAll Occupations
State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment3,981,130
Unemployment Rate4.5% (vs Virginia 2.9%)

Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023  ·  Refreshed 2026-04-12

Industry Sectors

Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.

Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count)253
Business Patterns · Total Employees3,353
Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands94,606
Business Patterns · Year2022

Sources: Census CBP API — county FIPS match

Local Business Mix

Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.

Local Businesses · Convenience Stores3
Local Businesses · Gas Stations8
Local Businesses · General Merchandise4
Local Businesses · New Car Dealers3
Local Businesses · Real Estate Offices6
Local Businesses · Commercial Banks3
Local Businesses · Insurance Agencies9
Local Businesses · Physician Offices10

Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes

Dining Scene

Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.

Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants9
Dining Scene · Fast Food13

Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722

Banking

FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.

Branches (2)

Truist Bank
FRANKLIN BRANCH · 201 N College Dr · 23851
The Bank of Southside Virginia
AMORY DRIVE BRANCH · 1310 Amory Drive · 23851

SNAP & Food Access

USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.

Sample (5)

Walmart 2705
Super Store · 1500 Armory Dr
Food Lion 405
Supermarket · 1328 Armory Dr
Dollar General 312
Other · 1100 Armory Dr
Shady Beauty & Dollar
Convenience Store · 407 Pretlow St
Walgreens 11986
Other · 100 S College Dr
Nearest Snap · NameWalmart 2705
Nearest Snap · Total In Area17

Sources: USDA SNAP API — state+city name match

Chamber of Commerce

IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.

Chamber Of Commerce · NameFRANKLIN SOUTHAMPTON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Sources: IRS EO BMF  ·  Refreshed 2026-04-12

Spending & Tax

Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).

Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024$78,259,264
Federal Spending · Per Capita9,567.15 (vs Virginia $14,580)
Federal Spending · Population8,180 people (vs Virginia 42,214)

Sources: USAspending API

Other

Pct Drove Alone84.4%
Pct Public Transit4.3%
Pct Walked4.7%
Retirement Score · Median age38.3 years (vs Virginia 37.8y)
Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct32.3%
Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby1
Retirement Score · Va AccessYes
Retirement Score · Factorsstrong SS base, hospital access, VA nearby
Retirement Score · Ratinggood

Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023  ·  Refreshed 2026-04-12