RANK #727 / 1001 NAT · #24 / 33 TN · POP 260,351
1YR FORECAST: +0.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +25%
Franklin, the county seat, anchors Williamson County, Tennessee, a region recognized for its blend of historic character and modern amenities. Located just 20 miles south of Nashville, the county offers a suburban and rural feel with rolling hills and preserved natural beauty. Commute times to Nashville average around 27 minutes, with public transit options available. The community is known for its highly-rated public and private schools, which are a primary draw for many families. Outdoor recreation is accessible through numerous parks, greenways, and facilities like Bowie Nature Park and Crockett Park.
Life in Williamson County often appeals to families and professionals seeking a high quality of life. The economy is driven by a diverse range of businesses, including corporate headquarters and a strong presence in healthcare and technology sectors. Recent economic developments include significant investment in commercial, residential, and mixed-use projects across towns like Franklin, Brentwood, and Spring Hill, contributing to the county's continued growth. This development aims to provide varied housing options and amenities while balancing the area's historical charm.
Williamson County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +1.6% YoY, population +2.3%, wages +3.6%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Speculative pricing
Housing looks overvalued at 14.3x — 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: 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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Aureum Mixed-Use Development
Undisclosed (developer)
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
June Lake Master-Planned Community
Undisclosed (developer)
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Storyvale Master-Planned Community
Undisclosed (developer)
|
$70M | Planned |
|
The Factory at Franklin Renovation
Holladay Properties
|
$56M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 27/100, Williamson County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $135,594 combined with job growth of +1.2% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Williamson County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $751,900 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.18 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,969/month on average.
Williamson County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +2.3% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.2% clip. Home values shifted +1.6% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.43% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Williamson County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.