Franklin, Kentucky

Franklin, Kentucky
City
Buildings on the eastern side of the courthouse square in Franklin
Location of Franklin, Kentucky
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Kentucky
County	Simpson
Established	November 2, 1820
Government
• Type	City Commission
Area
• Total	7.4 sq mi (19.3 km2)
• Land	7.4 sq mi (19.3 km2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	709 ft (216 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	8,408
• Density	1,136.2/sq mi (435.6/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP codes	42134-42135
Area code(s)	270 & 364
FIPS code	21-28918
GNIS feature ID	0492443
Website	http://www.franklinky.org/

Franklin is a home rule-class city^[1] in and the county seat of Simpson County, Kentucky, United States.^[2] The population was 8,408 at the 2010 census.

History

Franklin was formally incorporated by the state assembly on November 2, 1820,^[3] on a 62-acre (250,000 m²) tract of land. This tract was purchased from William Hudspeth and was named for Benjamin Franklin.^[4] The post office was established on September 29, 1822, with Robert W. Simpson as postmaster.^[5]

Geography

Franklin is located at (36.722487, -86.577566).^[6]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.4 square miles (19 km²), all land.

Education

Primary schools

• Franklin Elementary School
• Lincoln Elementary School
• Simpson Elementary School
• Franklin Mennonite Elementary School
• Faith Baptist Academy

Secondary schools

• Franklin-Simpson Middle School
• Franklin-Simpson High School
• Faith Baptist Academy

Alternative school

• West Campus

Demographics

As of the census^[9] of 2000, there were 7,996 people, 3,251 households, and 2,174 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,074.7 people per square mile (415.0/km²). There were 3,609 housing units at an average density of 485.1 per square mile (187.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.99% White, 16.76% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.76% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.81% of the population.

There were 3,251 households out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,001, and the median income for a family was $38,807. Males had a median income of $30,955 versus $21,783 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,467. About 10.9% of families and 13.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.9% of those under age 18 and 18.1% of those age 65 or over.

Franklin people, places and events

• Major League Baseball pitcher Joe Blanton and actress Annie Potts were born in Nashville, Tennessee but raised in Franklin.

• PGA golfer Kenny Perry spent most of his childhood in Franklin, and lives there today.

• Musician and singer Marty Brown featured on talent-scouting television show America's Got Talent is from Franklin, Ky

• Actress Lucy Hale from the television show Pretty Little Liars has been spotted in Franklin, Ky visiting family

• Thomas Chisholm, Christian songwriter who wrote Great is Thy Faithfulness was born in Franklin

• Former University of Kentucky football head coach Joker Phillips was born and raised in Franklin. Phillips also attended and played at UK.

• Kentucky Downs, formerly known as Dueling Grounds Racetrack, (owned by Corey Johnsen & Ray Reid), is located right on the Kentucky–Tennessee border in Franklin. Kentucky Downs hosts the Kentucky Cup Turf Festival, a full card of world class racing featuring four major turf stakes. Kentucky Downs also hosts year-round simulcasts for the Kentucky-Tennessee market.

• Carolyn Conn Moore of Franklin became the first woman to serve in the Kentucky Senate. in November 1949, after a special election to replace her husband, J. Lee Moore, in the legislature after his death.^[10]

• On March 1, 1968, Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash were married at the Methodist church in Franklin by Reverend Leslie Chapman.

• Thomas Mantell, a decorated World War II pilot, was the first member of the Kentucky Air National Guard to die in flight. Mantell was both born in and died near Franklin.

• James Earnest, member of the Wisconsin State Assembly and Wisconsin State Senate, was born in Franklin.

• Brad M. Kelley (Billionaire)

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Franklin has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.^[11]

References

External links

• Simpson County Tourism Commission
• City of Franklin, Kentucky