Natural disasters, economic turndown, a global pandemic, political upheaval, and other gloom and doom headlines scream at us from the media. Shortages, both real and rumored, have become common. The least of them irritate, and the most serious of them leave us with concern for the future. Empty shelves hint at an element of truth. Scarcity is a niggling whisper heard all day and night. But despite all of the bad news, Franklin County is home to good news. Despite the darkness and negativity, the area has marched quietly forward in a pattern of growth and productivity, and the 2020 U.S. Census confirms it.
With a current growth rate of 5%, the affordability of life in Franklin County is evident. Employment opportunities, housing, solid education systems, and beautiful outdoor recreational resources bring balance and security.
The employment rate in Franklin County has steadily increased from 49.8% in 2014 to 52.9% in 2020. Four international businesses fueling Franklin County’s employment growth are Nissan, Tepro, Zanni, and Hamilton Kent. Another large employer, Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC), is located on the north end of Franklin County. AEDC is the world’s largest and most advanced complex of flight simulation facilities in the country.
With an average annual income of $47,777, over 700 small businesses support the community’s employment in addition to the primary industries. Room for new small businesses and industries exists and can bring additional future growth. While manufacturing, educational services, healthcare, and social services are the largest employment sectors, there’s growing room for arts, entertainment, and recreation.
Education is a priority to area residents, and you don’t have to travel far to obtain higher education. One-fifth of the residents have obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher. The University of the South – Sewanee is located on a 13,000-acre campus and is a national liberal arts university with an outstanding undergraduate College of Arts and Sciences, a respected graduate School of Theology of the Episcopal Church, and an innovative master’s degree program in English and creative writing. The University of Tennessee Space Institute is adjacent to the U.S. Air Force Engineering Development Center. It is internationally recognized for graduate study and research in engineering, physics, math, and aviation systems.
A place to call home brings security. The homeownership rate of 73.5% in Franklin County exceeds the 66.5% rate for the entire state of Tennessee. Rent in Franklin County is lower than the median rent for the state by $191 per month. Development in the county has continued over the past decade. Twin Creeks Marina, located on Tims Ford Lake, offers options for permanent housing or a second home and a wealth of recreational resources.
Franklin County is affordable, attractive, and accessible. It’s a quiet, gentle home for its residents to live, work, and play. -GN
