Franklin County, Idaho

County Distress Index: Healthy · 26.9 | 15,494 people · 38th most distressed in Idaho
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Franklin County, ID ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 26.9 — 2896th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Idaho, it ranks 38th of 44 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Franklin County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 55.5 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 55.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 89
Rent-to-Income Ratio 23
Business Formation Rate 13
House Price Change (YoY) 66
Housing Cost Burden 54.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 51
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 64
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 42
Homeownership Rate 46
Structural Poverty 16.6
Unemployment Rate 27
Poverty Rate 5
Income vs. State Median 17
Child Poverty Rate 8
Disability Rate 18
Transfer Income Dependency 23
Legal Distress 13.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 14
Consumer Credit Distress 13.5
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 27
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 73
Subprime Credit Population 5

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Franklin County
Franklin County, ID 26.9 Healthy —
Bannock County, ID 52.1 Elevated +25.2
Caribou County, ID 37.1 Normal +10.2
Cache County, UT 35.1 Normal +8.2
Bear Lake County, ID 30.3 Healthy +3.5
Oneida County, ID 24.5 Healthy -2.3
Rich County, UT 21.4 Healthy -5.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Franklin County
Clinton County, IL 26.9 Healthy 0.0
Vernon County, WI 26.9 Healthy -0.0
Mahaska County, IA 26.9 Healthy +0.0
Park County, WY 26.9 Healthy +0.0
Kossuth County, IA 26.9 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Franklin County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Franklin County

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Idaho State Bar Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Idaho State Bar Lawyer Referral Service 208-334-4500

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Franklin County residents at no cost.

Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc. 208-336-8980
Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program 208-334-4500

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Franklin County, Idaho?

    Franklin County has a County Distress Index score of 26.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,896th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 38th in Idaho out of 44 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Franklin County?

    The primary driver of distress in Franklin County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 55.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Franklin County compare to neighboring counties?

    Franklin County (26.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Bannock County, ID (52.1); Caribou County, ID (37.1); Cache County, UT (35.1).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Healthy zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Franklin County's score of 26.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Franklin County's CDI score?

    Franklin County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Franklin County?

    Franklin County, Idaho has a population of approximately 15,494 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.