Boone
RANK #389 / 996 NAT · #3 / 37 VA · POP 54,838
1YR FORECAST: +2.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +26%
Franklin County, Virginia, known as the "Land Between the Lakes and the Blue Ridge Mountains," offers a blend of natural beauty and small-town character. Located in the Blue Ridge foothills, with its county seat in Rocky Mount, it is part of the broader Roanoke metropolitan area. The county is bordered by Smith Mountain Lake to the east and Philpott Lake to the south, providing extensive opportunities for fishing, boating, and other water sports. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore numerous hiking and biking trails, including those in Waid Park and along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Commute options include regional ride-sharing services and a bus service connecting to Rocky Mount and Roanoke. Franklin County Public Schools serves the area with 14 schools.
Life in Franklin County often appeals to those seeking a quieter pace with access to outdoor activities. The community values its farms, forests, and cultural heritage, with agriculture historically playing a significant role. While the county has seen some economic development, including a new business park, local leaders have expressed a desire for more new businesses. There has been recent discussion regarding the potential for data centers to locate in the county, with some residents expressing concerns about their impact on local resources and infrastructure.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Prices detached from rents
Housing is fairly valued at 6.8x 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.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Proposed Data Centers (Multiple)
Undisclosed
|
$500M | Proposed/Under Discussion |
|
Union Hall Jacks Creek Rd Solar Project
CEP Solar
|
$50M | Approved by Board of Supervisors |
|
Summit View Business Park Natural Gas Expansion
Roanoke Gas
|
$50M | Under Construction/Operating |
|
Traditional Medicinals Facility at Summit View Business Park
Traditional Medicinals
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Oak Level - Tank Hill 138 kV Solar Project
Undisclosed (Cleanview Pro)
|
$35M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 61/100, Franklin County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +1.7%, and median household income stands at $66,275 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in VA.
Housing in Franklin County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $207,700 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.32, with rents averaging $809/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Franklin County are hiring — job growth of +1.7% — but the population is close to flat (+0.0% YoY). Home values moved +1.6% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.03% 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.