Franklin County, Virginia: Power, Data Centers and the Local Economy
Home to Rocky Mount
Franklin County sits inside the data center build-out. The SAVRN Data Center Map lists 1 data center in Franklin County. Franklin County is home to Rocky Mount. Construction employs 1,504, up 25.9% since 2019, and construction is 1.8 times as concentrated here as in the U.S. economy. 12 MW of new generation is planned here across 1 unit, led by Willow Solar, LLC (solar). Employers here counted 15,810 jobs in 2025, up 4.8% from 2019.
Cities and towns in Franklin County
Franklin County is home to Rocky Mount.
Unincorporated communities (governed by the county): Ferrum, Henry Fork, North Shore, Penhook, Union Hall, Westlake Corner.
Residents are 2025 Census estimates for the part of each city, town or township inside this county. Census publishes no annual estimate for unincorporated communities.
What changed in Franklin County
1st = the most. Ranks cover counties with a value on record.
| Measure | Then | Now | Change | Rank in Virginia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2020 → 2025) | 54,478 | 55,526 | ▲ 1.9% | 34th of 133 by size |
| Total jobs (2019 → 2025) | 15,085 | 15,810 | ▲ 4.8% | 43rd of 133 by growth |
| Average annual pay (2019 → 2025) | $35,018 | $49,012 | ▲ 40.0% | — |
| Construction jobs (2019 → 2025) | 1,195 | 1,504 | ▲ 25.9% | 22nd of 83 by growth |
| Unemployment rate (2019 → August 2026) | 3.0% | 3.6% | ▲ 0.6pts | — |
| Planned generation (Aug 2026) | — | 12 MW | no fleet today | 26th of 29 by size |
Unemployment was 3.6% in August 2026, against 3.0% in 2019. Virginia Electric & Power Co is the largest utility serving Franklin County, one of 2 with territory here. Its residential customers paid an average 14.09¢/kWh in 2024, below the 14.39¢ median for Virginia utilities. 55,526 people live here, up 1.9% since 2020.
Who powers Franklin County
Utilities with service territory in Franklin County
| Utility | Ownership | Service | Residential customers (systemwide) | Residential price, 2024 | Commercial share of sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Electric & Power Co | Investor Owned | Bundled | 2,383,548 | 14.09¢ | 63% |
| Appalachian Power Co | Investor Owned | Bundled | 465,283 | 17.02¢ | 26% |
Customer counts, prices and sales shares cover each utility's whole system in the state, not only this county. Commercial sales include data centers.
No operating power plant is located in Franklin County in the EIA-860M inventory. Its power comes over the grid from plants elsewhere.
Planned generation 1
| Plant | Technology | MW | Status | Year | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willow Solar | Solar Photovoltaic | 12 MW | Approvals pending | 2027 | Willow Solar, LLC |
The Franklin County labor market
| Industry (2025) | Jobs | Average pay | Concentration vs U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| All industries | 15,810 | $49,012 | 1.00 |
| Construction | 1,504 | $60,650 | 1.80 |
Concentration is the BLS location quotient: 1.0 means the industry holds the same share of local jobs as it does nationally. Industry rows count private employers; cells BLS suppresses are left out.
Data centers and local rules in Franklin County
1 data center in Franklin County is on the SAVRN Data Center Map.
Franklin County and its neighbors
Of the 6 counties that border Franklin County, Pittsylvania County carries the most build-out activity: data centers, planned generation and operating plants combined.
| County | Population | Jobs since 2019 | Operating MW | Planned MW | Data centers | Local measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin County | 55,526 | ▲ 4.8% | — | 12 MW | 1 | — |
| Bedford County | 83,059 | ▼ 0.3% | 22 MW | — | 3 | — |
| Floyd County | 15,789 | ▲ 8.5% | — | — | — | — |
| Henry County | 49,242 | ▼ 4.0% | 156 MW | 201 MW | — | — |
| Patrick County | 17,424 | ▼ 8.7% | 12 MW | — | 1 | — |
| Pittsylvania County | 59,490 | ▲ 7.5% | 846 MW | 166 MW | 3 | — |
| Roanoke County | 97,150 | ▼ 4.6% | 4 MW | — | — | — |
More of Virginia
Franklin County, answered from the record
Who provides electricity in Franklin County, Virginia?
2 utilities have service territory in Franklin County in the EIA-861 2024 report: Virginia Electric & Power Co, Appalachian Power Co. The largest, Virginia Electric & Power Co, charged residential customers 14.09¢/kWh on average in 2024.
How much new power is planned in Franklin County?
12 MW across 1 units in the August 2026 EIA-860M inventory, 0 MW of it under construction or built. The largest owner is Willow Solar, LLC.
Are there data centers in Franklin County?
Yes. The SAVRN Data Center Map lists 1 data center in Franklin County.
Is Franklin County adding jobs?
Employers counted 15,810 jobs in 2025 against 15,085 in 2019 (+4.8%, BLS QCEW). Construction went from 1,195 to 1,504.
Does Franklin County have a data center moratorium?
No county-level measure is on record for Franklin County. Virginia has 13 local measures statewide, listed on the state page.