HomeMassachusettsFranklin County
Franklin County, Massachusetts: commercial real estate data.
Franklin County, Massachusetts had an estimated 70,871 residents on July 1, 2024, down 0.2 percent since the 2020 census base of 71,032, across 699 square miles. County output reached $3.70 bn in 2024, 1,549 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 64 7(a) approvals worth $20.9 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Franklin County
How many people live in Franklin County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202470,944
- Households31,570
- Average household size2.25
- Median household income$74,907
- Median age47.2
- Median gross rent$1,177 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$329,000
- Home value to household income4.4 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income18.9 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher40.6 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree18.5 percent
- Adults 25 and over54,405
- Population under 1811,803
- Share under 1816.6 percent
- Population 65 and over17,460
- Share 65 and over24.6 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6441,681
- Civilian labor force37,864
- Unemployment rate5.4 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over64.0 percent
- Rank by population among Massachusetts counties12th of 14
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included781st of 3,222
Franklin County is the 12th largest of 14 Massachusetts counties by population. A median home costs 4.4 times median household income, which is seriously unaffordable by national standards. Residents 65 and over outnumber those under 18, at 24.6 percent against 16.6 percent, which points demand at health care, services and single story product rather than schools.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Franklin County
Is Franklin County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 202470,871
- Census 2020 base population71,032
- Population change since the 2020 census base-0.23 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 202411
- Births, 2024493
- Deaths, 2024821
- Natural change, 2024-328
- Net domestic migration, 2024129
- Net international migration, 2024216
- Total net migration, 2024345
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 2024481
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents1926th of 3,144
The county has lost 0.23 percent of its population since the 2020 census base. Deaths exceeded births in 2024 and the population still grew, so all of the growth came from people moving in. A market held up by migration is more sensitive to a change in relative cost than one growing from household formation.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Franklin County
Where are people moving to Franklin County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving1,790
- People arriving, from those returns2,666
- Tax returns filed by households leaving1,858
- Net household movement-68
- Adjusted gross income arriving$113.1 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$-4.9 m
- Average income of an arriving household$63,196
- Average income of a leaving household$63,534
- Largest single originHampshire County (433 households)
- Largest single destinationHampshire County (389 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hampshire County | 433 | 594 | $25.6 m |
| Worcester County | 249 | 420 | $12.5 m |
| Hampden County | 149 | 228 | $7.1 m |
| Middlesex County | 96 | 125 | $7.3 m |
| Suffolk County | 47 | 66 | $4.0 m |
| Windham County | 35 | 53 | $1.4 m |
| Berkshire County | 32 | 49 | $2.5 m |
| Essex County | 32 | 57 | $2.7 m |
Households arriving report $338 less average income than households leaving, which drains spending power even where headcount holds up. The largest single source of arrivals is Hampshire County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Franklin County
What is the Franklin County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$3.70 bn
- County GDP, 2023$3.87 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 2024-4.2 percent
- GDP change over five years17.4 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Massachusetts areas BEA publishes12th of 14
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes862nd of 3,127
- GDP per resident$52,208
Output grew -4.2 percent in the latest year and 17.4 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Franklin County
Employment by industry in Franklin County
- Covered employment, annual average25,435
- Establishments reporting2,581
- Average annual pay$54,261
- Average weekly wage$1,043
- Health care and social assistance, employment4,112
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$47,086
- Manufacturing, employment3,294
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$66,249
- Retail trade, employment2,745
- Retail trade, average annual pay$39,806
- Accommodation and food services, employment1,755
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$26,082
- Educational services, employment1,601
- Construction, employment1,087
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 4,112 | 907 | $47,086 |
| Manufacturing | 3,294 | 104 | $66,249 |
| Retail trade | 2,745 | 225 | $39,806 |
| Accommodation and food services | 1,755 | 140 | $26,082 |
| Educational services | 1,601 | 51 | $56,930 |
| Construction | 1,087 | 171 | $74,399 |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 849 | 55 | $47,585 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 702 | 32 | $51,302 |
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 4,112 jobs, 16.2 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Franklin County
How many businesses are in Franklin County?
- Establishments, all industries1,549
- Employment at those establishments19,141
- Annual payroll$967.2 m
- Establishments per 1,000 residents21.8
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Franklin County
Building permits in Franklin County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 202483
- Declared construction value permitted$23.5 m
- Single family units authorized64
- Multifamily units authorized19
- Multifamily share of units22.9 percent
- Average declared value per unit$283,664
- Units authorized per 1,000 households2.6
Single-family homes are 77.1 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Franklin County
SBA loans in Franklin County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded64
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$20.9 m
- Average 7(a) approval$326,617
- Median 7(a) approval$94,750
- 10th percentile approval$25,000
- 90th percentile approval$919,260
- Largest single approval$4,600,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)402
- Jobs per approval6.3
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active22
- Distinct industries receiving approvals44
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer9.4 percent
- Loans on real estate terms6
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter57
- Franchise loans2
- Franchise share of approvals3.1 percent
- Leading industry by approval countGeneral Automotive Repair (6)
- Most active lenderManufacturers and Traders Trust Company (12)
- 504 approvals recorded44
- 504 gross approval dollars$18.4 m
- Average 504 approval$418,386
- Median 504 approval$278,000
- Distinct CDCs active3
- 504 jobs per approval5.9
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved14.0
- Most active CDCGranite State Economic Development Corporation (27)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$39.3 m
The average approval of $326,617 sits well above the median of $94,750, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 9.4 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Franklin County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Franklin County
Do SBA loans in Franklin County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded14
- Paid in full14
- Charged off0
- Status: Exempt from disclosure35
- Status: Paid in full14
- Status: Cancelled10
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed5
Only 14 loans have reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Franklin County
SBA lending by place in Franklin County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending18
- Greenfield, approvals23
- Charlemont, approvals7
- Orange, approvals6
- Northfield, approvals3
- New Salem, approvals3
- Deerfield, approvals3
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Greenfield | 23 | $4,407,200 |
| Charlemont | 7 | $683,000 |
| Orange | 6 | $2,148,200 |
| Northfield | 3 | $1,811,200 |
| New Salem | 3 | $570,000 |
| Deerfield | 3 | $525,000 |
| Shelburne Falls | 3 | $370,100 |
| Turners Falls | 2 | $4,630,000 |
| 10 other borrower cities | 14 | $5,758,800 |
Greenfield accounts for 23 approvals against 7 in Charlemont. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Franklin County
How large is Franklin County?
- Land area699 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Massachusetts counties4th of 14
- Width, east to west40.7 mi
- Height, north to south30.2 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary6
- Residents per square mile of land101
- Establishments per square mile2.22
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Franklin County
Flood risk in Franklin County
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book26
- Of those, participating in the NFIP25
- NFIP participation rate96.2 percent
- Communities carrying a CRS class0
- Radon levels in Franklin County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/LZone 2
The EPA places Franklin County in radon zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. 96.2 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Franklin County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Franklin County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202470,944
- Households31,570
- Average household size2.25
- Median household income$74,907
- Median age47.2
Common questions
Franklin County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Franklin County, Massachusetts?
The Census Bureau estimates 70,871 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 70,944, in 31,570 households, ranking 12th of 14 Massachusetts counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Franklin County's population growing?
The population has fallen 0.23 percent since the 2020 census base of 71,032, to 70,871 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 493 births against 821 deaths, with net migration of 345. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Franklin County?
$74,907. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $329,000, which is 4.4 times income, and median gross rent is $1,177 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Franklin County?
1,549 establishments, employing 19,141 people with an annual payroll of $967.2 m. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Franklin County?
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 4,112 jobs, 16.2 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 25,435 jobs at an average annual pay of $54,261, or $1,043 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Franklin County?
64 7(a) approvals totaling $20.9 m since FY2020, across 22 lenders, with a median approval of $94,750, plus 44 504 approvals worth $18.4 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Franklin County?
83 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $23.5 m. Multifamily was 22.9 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Franklin County?
Zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Franklin County come from?
The largest single origin is Hampshire County, with 433 households. Arriving households report an average income of $63,196 against $63,534 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Franklin County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Franklin County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Franklin County
Cities and places in Franklin.
8 Census places lie wholly or partly in Franklin County. All 8 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenfield | city | 17,664 | 23 | Wholly in this county |
| Turners Falls | CDP | 4,124 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Orange | CDP | 3,737 | 6 | Wholly in this county |
| South Deerfield | CDP | 1,882 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Shelburne Falls | CDP | 1,845 | 3 | Wholly in this county |
| Northfield | CDP | 1,070 | 3 | Wholly in this county |
| Millers Falls | CDP | 1,054 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Deerfield | CDP | 458 | 3 | Wholly in this county |
A further 23 of the county's 64 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Franklin County, the largest being Charlemont (7), New Salem (3), Hawley (2). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.