RANK #55 / 1001 NAT · #3 / 22 MO · POP 105,950
1YR FORECAST: +2.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +25%
Washington, Missouri, known as the "Corncob Pipe Capital of the World," offers a glimpse into Franklin County's distinctive character. Located along the Missouri River, approximately an hour west of St. Louis, the county blends rural landscapes with suburban amenities. Commuting to St. Louis is feasible, with options including Amtrak service from Washington. The community feel varies from the historic charm of towns like Washington and New Haven to more rural areas. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with Meramec State Park and Shaw Nature Reserve providing extensive trails for hiking, fishing, and camping amidst forests and river bluffs.
Life in Franklin County often appeals to families and those seeking a balance between country living and access to urban centers. The public school system is generally rated above average. The local economy, historically rooted in manufacturing and agriculture, is experiencing shifts. While manufacturing remains a significant employer, the healthcare sector is expanding. Additionally, the county is seeing investment in technology infrastructure, including data centers, contributing to economic development.
Franklin County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +5.3% YoY, population +0.6%, wages +3.7%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 11.3x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Franklin County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Provident Data Center Campus (Diamond Farms)
Provident Data Centers
|
$1,000M | Proposed |
|
Beltline Data Center Development (Crooked Creek Farm)
Beltline
|
$750M | Proposed |
|
Highway 47 Widening Project
Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT)
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Union Rail Transfer Station
Missouri Eastern Railroad (Jaguar Transport Holdings)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
WEG Transformers USA Expansion & Ameren Substation Project
WEG Transformers USA / Ameren Missouri
|
$50M | Completed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Franklin County ranks #55 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 95/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +1.1% and a median household income of $73,165 point to a county with active economic momentum.
Housing in Franklin County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $227,600 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.32, with rents averaging $893/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Franklin County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.6% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.1% clip — and home values reflect that momentum, rising +5.3% over the past 12 months.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.87% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Franklin County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +5.3% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Franklin County is now valued at $227,600. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.