Living in Franklin
For most of its first 180 years, Franklin was a tranquil, small county seat. In the years prior to the American Civil War, Williamson County was one of the wealthiest counties in Tennessee and Franklin was the center of plantation economy.
However, the Civil War devastated the economy. Union troops occupied the area for nearly three years. The Battle of Franklin was fought on November 30, 1864, costing more than 8,000 casualties and turning every home and building in town into a hospital. (See The Carter House and The Carnton Plantation.) It took 120 years for the county's economy to reach pre-war levels.
Franklin has grown from a very small, agricultural community into a strong blend of residential, commercial and corporate citizens.
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 41,842 people, 16,128 households, and 11,225 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,393.3 people per square mile (538.0/km²). There were 17,296 housing units at an average density of 575.9/sq mi (222.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.53% White, 10.35% African American, 4.84% Hispanic/Latino, 1.61% Asian, 0.24% Native American, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.17% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races.
There were 16,128 households out of which 38.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.2% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 38.1% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 7.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $65,506, and the median income for a family was $69,431. Males had a median income of $50,226 versus $31,531 for females. The per capita income for the city was $32,160. About 5.1% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.0% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.
Building a stronger Franklin
a certified main street community
Downtown Franklin Association
At the center of Historic Downtown Franklin is a 15-block National Register District that is home to more than 70 unique shops, restaurants and businesses.
You can find a sunny or shady spot along the street to enjoy ice cream or coffee, duck into a charming pub or sandwich shop, or settle in for fine dining. You’ll also find the latest fashions, antiques, gifts of all kinds, estate jewelry, nostalgic toys, home décor, something great to read, resort wear and even personal services such as a facial or massage. Walk around the neighborhood and discover the antique districts along Second Avenue and three residential neighborhoods also on the National Register of Historic Places.
Historic Downtown Franklin is a nationally certified Main Street Community, winner in the first round of Great American Main Street awards given by the National Trust and the first Preserve America community in Tennessee. The Downtown Franklin Association works to keep the downtown district thriving with special events and promotions throughout the year, and other community groups use the picturesque Public Square for special events.
Here are some of the events you can count on year after year in and around Downtown Franklin:
March – St. Patrick’s festival Feile Franklin – Saturday before March 17
April – Main Street Festival – last full weekend
May – Rotary Rodeo Parade – third Saturday
June – Town & Country Tour of Homes – first weekend
July – Franklin on the Fourth – Independence Day
July – Bluegrass on the Harpeth music and dance festival – last weekend in July
August – Franklin Jazz Festival
August – Franklin Classic Race – Labor Day Weekend
October – Pumpkinfest – Saturday before Halloween
November – Wine Down Main Street – First Friday evening
December – Christmas Parade – first Saturday
December – Dickens of a Christmas – Second full weekend
For more information on these events, check out www.historicfranklin.com, which also has a listing of businesses in the historic district. Walking tours are available at www.franklinonfoot.com or by calling 615-400-3808.
Things To Do in Franklin
Historic Downtown Franklin provides the opportunity to experience
a Great American Main Street. Its charming town square is a focal point of the
immaculate 200-year-old historic district. The Victorian commercial district,
with commemorative brick sidewalks and beautifully renovated historic buildings,
offers an eclectic mix of boutiques, antiques shops and restaurants.
Franklin on Foot provides a unique walking tour with enthusiastic guides sharing
fascinating stories and historical details. Historic Carnton Plantation, famed
for its New York Time’s Bestseller, Widow of the South, is an elegant
home which became a field hospital during the Battle of Franklin. You can tour
the restored mansion, gardens and largest privately-owned Confederate cemetery
in the nation.
A visit to The Carter House, built in 1830, includes a video,
museum, and guided tour that tell the story of this farmhouse caught in the
center of the Civil War’s Battle of Franklin.
Finish the Civil War experience with a visit to McLemore House (call
for an appointment), built by freed slave Harvey McLemore.
An entertaining and historic stop to include in your day is The Factory
at Franklin. This unique complex of 11 Depression-era factory buildings has
been renovated into a shopping, dining and entertainment venue that includes
restaurants, antiques shops, art galleries, and retail stores.
Historic Leiper’s Fork, Franklin’s Country Cousin,
is a charming village located just minutes from Downtown Franklin. Surrounded
by Land Trust properties, Leiper’s Fork is a truly unique mix of city
and country with one-of-a kind shops, antiques, and an art gallery, as well
as plenty of good ole country cookin’. This village is a rare example
of the well-balanced preservation of land, buildings and culture.
Winding through Leiper’s Fork is the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway.
This 444-mile national parkway stretches from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville,
Tennessee, following the original 1880s homeward route for thousands of boatmen
who floated flatboats downstream from Kentucky/Ohio regions to New Orleans.
The Parkway, offering scenic overlooks and historic sites, is a favorite route
for cyclists and motorists alike. The highlight of the Natchez Trace Parkway
is right here in Williamson County. The double arch bridge is breathtaking to
see and is recognized for its award-winning engineering design.
To learn more about these great treasures for your back yard trip, visit our
website at www.VisitWilliamson.com.
Courtesy of Kellye Murphy, Director of Sales and Deborah Warnick, Heritage Tourism
Manager for the Williamson County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Williamson County Convention and Visitors Bureau
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 156, Franklin, TN 37065
Physical Address: 109 Second Ave., Suite 137, Franklin,TN 37064
Phone: (615) 794-1225
Toll-free: (800) 356-3445
Fax: (615) 790-5337
info@visitwilliamson.com
Williamson County Visitor Information Center
209 East Main Street
Franklin, TN 37064
Phone: (615) 591-8514