| Franklin County, Pennsylvania | ||
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Location in the state of Pennsylvania |
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Pennsylvania's location in the U.S. |
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| Founded | September 9, 1784 From: Cumberland County Eponym: Benjamin Franklin |
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| Seat | Chambersburg[1] | |
| Largest city | Chambersburg | |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
773 sq mi (2,002 km²) 772 sq mi (1,999 km²) 1 sq mi (3 km²), 0.09%[2] |
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| Population - (2010) - Density |
149,618 194/sq mi (74.8/km²) |
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| Website | www.co.franklin.pa.us | |
Franklin County is a county located in South Central Pennsylvania; it lies to a large extent within the Cumberland Valley. Originally part of Lancaster County (1729), then Cumberland County (1750), Franklin County became an independent jurisdiction on September 9, 1784, named in honor of Founding Father Benjamin Franklin.[3]
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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.
| Historical populations | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1790 | 15,662 |
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| 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% | |
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As of the census[2] 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.[6]
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:
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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.
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.[7] 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.
There are three Pennsylvania state parks in Franklin County.
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