Franklin County, Pennsylvania

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Not to be confused with Franklin, Venango County, Pennsylvania.
Franklin County, Pennsylvania
County
Franklin County
Franklin County Courthouse at Night.png
Franklin County Courthouse
Seal of Franklin County, Pennsylvania
Seal
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Franklin County
Location in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Map of the United States highlighting Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location in the U.S.
Founded September 9, 1784
Named for Benjamin Franklin
Seat Chambersburg
Largest borough Chambersburg
Area
 • Total 773 sq mi (2,002 km2)
 • Land 772 sq mi (1,999 km2)
 • Water 0.6 sq mi (2 km2), 0.08%
Population (est.)
 • (2014) 152,892
 • Density 199/sq mi (77/km²)
Congressional district 9th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.co.franklin.pa.us

Franklin County is a county located in South Central Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 149,618.[1] Its county seat is Chambersburg.[2]

Franklin County comprises the Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA Combined Statistical Area. It lies to a large extent within the Cumberland Valley.

History

Originally part of Lancaster County (1729), then Cumberland County (1750), Franklin County became an independent jurisdiction on September 9, 1784, relatively soon after the end of the American Revolutionary War.[3] It is named in honor of Founding Father Benjamin Franklin.[4]

Geography

A farm in Franklin County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 773 square miles (2,000 km2), of which 772 square miles (2,000 km2) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) (0.08%) is water.[5]

Franklin County is in the watershed of the Chesapeake Bay and the overwhelming majority of it is drained by the Potomac River, but the Conodoguinet Creek and the Sherman Creek drain northeastern portions into the Susquehanna River.

Adjacent counties

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Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1790 15,662 —
1800 19,638 25.4%
1810 23,083 17.5%
1820 31,892 38.2%
1830 35,037 9.9%
1840 37,793 7.9%
1850 39,904 5.6%
1860 42,126 5.6%
1870 45,365 7.7%
1880 49,855 9.9%
1890 51,433 3.2%
1900 54,902 6.7%
1910 59,775 8.9%
1920 62,275 4.2%
1930 65,010 4.4%
1940 69,378 6.7%
1950 75,927 9.4%
1960 88,172 16.1%
1970 100,833 14.4%
1980 113,629 12.7%
1990 121,082 6.6%
2000 129,308 6.8%
2010 149,618 15.7%
Est. 2014 152,892 [6] 2.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2013[1]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 129,313 people, 50,633 households, and 36,405 families residing in the county. The population density was 168 people per square mile (65/km²). There were 53,803 housing units at an average density of 70 per square mile (27/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.33% White, 2.33% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.74% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. 1.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 40.2% were of German, 19.4% American, 7.6% Irish and 6.0% English ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.0% spoke English and 2.1% Spanish as their first language.

There were 50,633 households out of which 30.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.00% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.10% were non-families. 23.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county, the population was spread out with 24.00% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.90 males.

In 2001, Franklin County was featured in David Brooks' article "One Nation, Slightly Divisible" in The Atlantic as a representative Red or Republican Party county.[12]

Education

Universities and colleges

Technology school

Intermediate unit

Lincoln Intermediate Unit (IU#12) region includes: Adams County, Franklin County and York County. The agency offers school districts, home-schooled students and private schools many services, including: special education services, combined purchasing, and instructional technology services. It runs Summer Academy, which offers both art and academic strands designed to meet the individual needs of gifted, talented and high achieving students. Additional services include: curriculum mapping, professional development for school employees, adult education, nonpublic school services, business services, migrant & ESL (English as a second language), instructional services, special education, management services, and technology services. It also provides a GED program to adults who want to earn a high school diploma and literacy programs. The Lincoln Intermediate Unit is governed by a 13-member board of directors, each a member of a local school board from the 25 school districts. Board members are elected by school directors of all 25 school districts for three-year terms that begin July 1.[13] There are 29 intermediate units in Pennsylvania. They are funded by school districts, state and federal program specific funding and grants. IUs do not have the power to tax.

Public school districts

Private schools

Libraries

  • Alexander Hamilton Mem Free Library - Waynesboro
  • Blue Ridge Summit Free Library - Blue Ridge Summit
  • Coyle Free Library - Chambersburg
  • Fendrick Library - Mercersburg
  • Fort Loudon Branch Library - Fort Loudon
  • Grove Family Library - Chambersburg
  • Lilian S Besore Memorial Library - Greencastle
  • St Thomas Branch Library - Saint Thomas

Recreation

There are three Pennsylvania state parks in Franklin County.

Communities

Map of Franklin County, Pennsylvania with Municipal Labels showing Boroughs (red), Townships (white), and Census-designated places (blue).
House in Roxbury in Lurgan Township
Chambersburg is the county seat and largest municipality in Franklin County.

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in at most two cases, towns. The following boroughs and townships are located in Franklin County:

Boroughs

Townships

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Census-designated places

Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.

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See also

References and notes

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  3. ↑ Franklin County PA - default. Co.franklin.pa.us. Retrieved on 2013-07-23.
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  13. ↑ Lincoln Intermediate Unit 12 website accessed April 2010

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