Pennsylvania

Franklin

155,932
2020 population
1790
first census record
24
census records

About Franklin

Franklin, Pennsylvania, first appears in the United States federal census in 1790, when it recorded a population of 15,655. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 155,932.

The county's recorded population has risen across the decades to its highest level in 2020.

On the ground today, 18 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Battle of Great Cove PA, Raid on Greencastle (PA, 1763), Mercersburg Raid, and 66 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
2020155,932
2010149,618
2000129,313
1990121,082
1980113,629
1970100,833
196088,172
195075,927
194069,378
193065,010
192062,275
191059,775
190054,902
189051,433
188049,855
187045,365
186042,126
185039,904
184037,793
183035,037
182031,892
181023,083
180019,638
179015,655
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Franklin

Military engagements that took place in Franklin, Pennsylvania.

Battle of Great Cove PA
1755
Raid on Greencastle (PA, 1763)
1763
Mercersburg Raid
1862
Stuart's Chambersburg Raid (Pennsylvania)
1862
Confederate Raid on Mercersburg Pennsylvania
1862
Chambersburg Confederate Cavalry Raid October 1862
1862
Cavalry Fight at Monterey Pass
1863
Battle of Monterey Pass
1863
Greencastle Cavalry Fight
1863
Gettysburg Campaign — Greencastle First Gun (June 22, 1863)
1863
Mercersburg Occupation
1863
South Mountain Cavalry Skirmishes (Gettysburg Campaign)
1863
Monterey Pass July 1863
1863
Monterey Pass Engagement
1863
Greencastle Skirmish June 1863
1863
Chambersburg — Burning (July 30 1864)
1864
McCausland's Raid – Burning of Chambersburg PA (July 30 1864)
1864
Burning of Chambersburg
1864

Historic places in Franklin

National Register of Historic Places listings in Franklin, Pennsylvania.

McCoy-Shoemaker Farm
Upton
Findlay Farm
Lamasters
McClay's Twin Bridge (West)
Middle Spring
Memorial Fountain and Statue
Chambersburg
Bridge in Metal Township
Willow Hill
Carrick Furnace
Metal
Franklin County Jail
Chambersburg
Culbertson-Harbison Farm
Nyesville
Kennedy, Robert, Memorial Presbyterian Church
Montgomery
Skinner Tavern
Letterkenny Township
Greencastle Historic District
Greencastle
Rocky Spring Presbyterian Church
Chambersburg
Old Brown's Mill School
Kauffman
Wilson College
Chambersburg
Millmont Farm
Mercersburg
Red Run Lodge
Rouzerville
Hamilton, Alexander, House
Waynesboro
Franklin County Courthouse
Chambersburg
Oller, Joseph J., House
Waynesboro
Rock Hill Farm
Mercersburg
Zion Reformed Church
Chambersburg
Finley, James, House
Chambersburg
Borough Hall of the Borough of Waynesboro
Waynesboro
Corker Hill
Greene Township
Browse all Pennsylvaniahistoric sites ›

Other counties in Pennsylvania

Explore census history and historic records for more Pennsylvania counties.

VenangoWarrenWashingtonWayneWestmorelandWyomingYorkAdamsAlleghenyArmstrongBeaverBedfordBerksBlairBradfordBucksButlerCambriaCameronCarbon
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Franklin County, Pennsylvania

This page charts the census history of Franklin County, Pennsylvania. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Franklin County, Pennsylvania report
Or see a real report first

Explore Pennsylvania records

Pennsylvaniahistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from Pennsylvania›

Frequently asked about Franklin

When does Franklin first appear in the US census?
Franklin, Pennsylvania first appears in the federal census in 1790, with a recorded population of 15,655.
What is the population of Franklin?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Franklin had a recorded population of 155,932.
Were any battles fought in Franklin?
18 documented military engagements took place in Franklin, including Battle of Great Cove PA, Raid on Greencastle (PA, 1763), Mercersburg Raid.
How many historic places are in Franklin?
66 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Franklin, Pennsylvania.
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report