Franklin County

Franklin County Demographics

Franklin County, ME, has a population of approximately 30,100 people. The median age is 44.7 years, with 18.3% under the age of 18, and 21.2% over 65. Within the population, 48.8% are male and 51.2% female. As for racial and ethnic breakdown, the majority is White with 97.1%, followed by 0.2% being Black, 1.1% Hispanic, and 0.7% Asian.

Franklin County Crime & Safety

Franklin County, ME has a lower crime rate compared to the national average, with about 1,700 crimes per 100,000 residents. The rate of violent crimes is well below the state average at 120 per 100,000. Property crimes, which make up the majority of criminal offenses, occur at a rate of 1,100 per 100,000. Local law enforcement agencies provide regular crime updates and engage in numerous community initiatives aiming to maintain a safe and secure environment for the residents of Franklin County.

Franklin County Housing & Property

Franklin County, ME, displays a homeownership rate of 74.9% with the median home value being around $149,500. The median rent is estimated at $752. Over the last year, property values have seen a rise of approximately 5.8%. The housing structure comprises 75% single-family homes, 10% apartments, and 15% townhomes, while property taxes sit around 1.3% annually.

Employment in Franklin County

Franklin County, ME, enjoys a robust employment rate of 92.3%. Major industries providing employment in the county are education and health services (21%), retail trade (12%), and manufacturing (11%). About 18.8% of the population commute outside the county. Job growth has been progressively increasing at a rate of 3.7%. Around 49% of employees have commute times of less than 30 minutes, while approximately 27.7% have commutes of 45 minutes or more.

Education in Franklin County

Franklin County, ME, offers quality education through several public schools. Rates for graduation and college readiness are relatively high, with educational programs and policies centering on academic growth and student development. As with most places, safety measures are likewise implemented across all schools. A significant portion of the Franklin County population holds bachelor's degrees. Schools in this county also provide unique opportunities through robust STEM and arts programs. Adult education programs are also available for those who wish to continue their learning journey or acquire a new set of skills.

Franklin County Elections

Franklin County, ME, is home to a relatively small population of voters. As of 2020, it had 24,441 registered voters, over 86% of whom voted in the 2020 elections. It conducts local, state, and federal elections, overseen by the Maine Secretary of State. The county's voters are a mix of Democrats, Republicans, and independents, but the county leans slightly more Democratic at the state level, while traditionally voting Republican at the federal level.

Average Income Rate in Franklin County

Franklin County in Maine has a median household income of $48,365, which is lower than the national median income of $68,700. The county has a poverty rate of 15.5%. In terms of gender wage gap, women earn 77% of what men earn. White households have higher earning power with an average income of around $49,970, while Black households earn significantly lesser. The county's income statistics are lower than Maine's state median of $58,924. The highest-paying sector in Franklin County is the construction industry.

Franklin County Healthcare

Franklin County, ME provides comprehensive healthcare services through its network of hospitals and clinics. More than 80% of residents are estimated to have some form of health insurance (majorly employer plans). The county healthcare system, staffed by over 1,000 professionals, focuses on regular wellness screenings, making it possible to manage chronic health problems, like the 10% diabetes rate. The life expectancy in the county is around 78 years. Despite these measures, the annual healthcare cost per person is relatively high, averaging $1,500.

Franklin County Transportation

Franklin County, ME, transportation features a web of scenic highways like U.S. Route 2 and State Route 4. It benefits from a community-driven public transportation system, The Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad, providing bus services. Car ownership is high with average commute times hovering around 20 minutes. The county takes pride in their robust bicycle and pedestrian safe paths and the local area is also accessible by ride-shares. There are periodic safety measures undertaken to minimize traffic incidents across the county’s roadways.

Franklin County Environmental Data & Climate Data

Franklin County, ME, is characterized by its mild summers with average temperature at 70°F and cold winters. It receives about 46 inches of rain annually. Its air quality index is 38, which falls under the 'good' category. Franklin County has strong access to clean water and a significant dedication to recycling with a 43% rate. The area also supports green initiatives with numerous solar installations and is known for its eco-friendly building regulations. Natural disasters such as hurricanes are rare as the risk is estimated to be as low as 3% annually.