Franklin County, Georgia | |
|---|---|
 Franklin County Courthouse in Carnesville | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofGeorgia | |
 Georgia's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:34°22′N83°14′W / 34.37°N 83.23°W /34.37; -83.23 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Georgia |
| Founded | February 25, 1784; 241 years ago (1784) |
| Named after | Benjamin Franklin |
| Seat | Carnesville |
| Largest city | Lavonia |
| Area | |
• Total | 266 sq mi (690 km2) |
| • Land | 261 sq mi (680 km2) |
| • Water | 5.0 sq mi (13 km2) 1.15% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 23,424 |
• Estimate (2024) | 25,208 |
| • Density | 89.7/sq mi (34.7/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 9th |
| Website | www |
Franklin County is acounty in theNortheast region of theU.S. state ofGeorgia. As of the2020 census, the population was 23,424.[1] Thecounty seat isCarnesville.[2] On February 25, 1784, Franklin and Washington became Georgia's eighth and ninth counties,[3] with Franklin named in honor of patriotBenjamin Franklin.[4]
In its original form, Franklin County included all of the territory now in Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Jackson, Oconee, and Stephens counties, and parts of the modern-day Gwinnett, Hall, Hart, and Madison counties, as well as three counties that are now part of South Carolina. Franklin County has several miles of shoreline onLake Hartwell.
The Franklin County Industrial Building Authority, one of only seven created by a Georgia constitutional amendment,[5] actively seeks and recruits new industries to the county. The Authority consists of seven members: each of the five mayors from the cities within Franklin County, and twoat-large members selected by the Board of Commissioners.[6]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 266 square miles (690 km2), of which 261 square miles (680 km2) is land and 5.0 square miles (13 km2) (1.9%) is water.[7] The county is located in thePiedmont region of the state.
The majority of Franklin County is located in theBroad River sub-basin of theSavannah River basin, with just the northeastern corner, north ofLavonia, located in theTugaloo River sub-basin of the same Savannah River basin.[8] Franklin County is also located onLake Hartwell.
TheFranklin County School District (Georgia) supports grades from kindergarten to grade twelve. The system consists of three elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, and one alternative school. The Franklin County School System has a staff of over 600 and an enrollment of 3570 as of 2020. The system boasts a 90.7% graduation rate.[9] FCSS is the largest employer in Franklin County.[10]
Interstate 85
U.S. Route 29
State Route 8
State Route 17
State Route 17 Business
State Route 51
State Route 59
State Route 63
State Route 77 Connector
State Route 106
State Route 145
State Route 174
State Route 184
State Route 198
State Route 281
State Route 320
State Route 326
State Route 327
State Route 328
State Route 403 (unsigned designation for I-85)TheHartwell Railroad operates freight service through the eastern portion of Franklin County throughout the Martin, Lavonia, Canon, and Royston areas on the formerNorfolk Southern line fromToccoa toElberton.[11]
Electric service in Franklin County is provided by two customer-owned electric cooperatives, Hart EMC andJackson EMC, as well as byGeorgia Power, a subsidiary ofSouthern Company. Water utilities are provided by the cities of Lavonia, Martin, Royston, and Carnesville as well as by Franklin County in rural areas.Natural gas is supplied by the cities of Toccoa and Royston.
St. Mary's Healthcare System operatesSt. Mary's Sacred Heart Hospital in Lavonia which is the only hospital in Franklin County. The hospital features 56 inpatient beds, a 24/7 Emergency Department, a Critical Care Unit, 4 surgical suites, and an open to the public gym.[12]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1790 | 1,041 | — | |
| 1800 | 6,859 | 558.9% | |
| 1810 | 10,815 | 57.7% | |
| 1820 | 9,040 | −16.4% | |
| 1830 | 10,107 | 11.8% | |
| 1840 | 9,886 | −2.2% | |
| 1850 | 11,513 | 16.5% | |
| 1860 | 7,393 | −35.8% | |
| 1870 | 7,893 | 6.8% | |
| 1880 | 11,453 | 45.1% | |
| 1890 | 14,670 | 28.1% | |
| 1900 | 17,700 | 20.7% | |
| 1910 | 17,894 | 1.1% | |
| 1920 | 19,957 | 11.5% | |
| 1930 | 15,902 | −20.3% | |
| 1940 | 15,612 | −1.8% | |
| 1950 | 14,446 | −7.5% | |
| 1960 | 13,274 | −8.1% | |
| 1970 | 12,784 | −3.7% | |
| 1980 | 15,185 | 18.8% | |
| 1990 | 16,650 | 9.6% | |
| 2000 | 20,285 | 21.8% | |
| 2010 | 22,084 | 8.9% | |
| 2020 | 23,424 | 6.1% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 25,208 | [13] | 7.6% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[14] 1790-1880[15] 1890-1910[16] 1920-1930[17] 1930-1940[18] 1940-1950[19] 1960-1980[20] 1980-2000[21] 2010[22] | |||
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White | 19,262 | 82.23% |
| Black or African American | 1,888 | 8.06% |
| Native American | 34 | 0.15% |
| Asian | 261 | 1.11% |
| Pacific Islander | 3 | 0.01% |
| Other/Mixed | 855 | 3.65% |
| Hispanic orLatino | 1,121 | 4.79% |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 23,424 people, 8,460 households, and 6,123 families residing in the county.
As of the2010 United States census, there were 22,084 people, 8,540 households, and 5,979 families living in the county.[24] The population density was 84.5 inhabitants per square mile (32.6/km2). There were 10,553 housing units at an average density of 40.4 units per square mile (15.6 units/km2).[25] The racial makeup of the county was 87.3% white, 8.4% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.9% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.9% of the population.[24] In terms of ancestry, 17.6% wereAmerican, 9.7% wereIrish, 9.7% wereEnglish, and 8.0% wereGerman.[26]
Of the 8,540 households, 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.0% were non-families, and 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.00. The median age was 40.9 years.[24]
The median income for a household in the county was $36,739 and the median income for a family was $44,667. Males had a median income of $33,718 versus $28,713 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,276. About 14.3% of families and 17.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 22.5% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over.[27]
As of thecensus[28] of 2000, there were 20,285 people, 7,888 households, and 5,695 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 77 people per square mile (30 people/km2). There were 9,303 housing units at an average density of 35 units per square mile (14 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 89.49%White, 8.83%Black orAfrican American, 0.21%Native American, 0.25%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 0.41% fromother races, and 0.78% from two or more races. 0.92% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 7,888 households, out of which 31.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.20% weremarried couples living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.80% were non-families. 24.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.90% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 15.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,134, and the median income for a family was $38,463. Males had a median income of $29,474 versus $21,051 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $15,767. About 11.00% of families and 13.90% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 16.80% of those under age 18 and 18.50% of those age 65 or over.
Franklin County is governed by a five-memberboard of commissioners, whose members are elected frommulti-member districts. They serve alternating four-year terms. The county has acounty manager system of government, in which day-to-day operation of the county is handled by a manager appointed by the board. The chairman of the Board of Commissioners is elected by the citizens of the county.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 26 | 2.47% | 694 | 66.03% | 331 | 31.49% |
| 1916 | 44 | 2.46% | 1,540 | 86.03% | 206 | 11.51% |
| 1920 | 447 | 33.46% | 889 | 66.54% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1924 | 109 | 12.93% | 618 | 73.31% | 116 | 13.76% |
| 1928 | 801 | 50.99% | 770 | 49.01% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 78 | 5.34% | 1,361 | 93.16% | 22 | 1.51% |
| 1936 | 238 | 12.73% | 1,621 | 86.73% | 10 | 0.54% |
| 1940 | 222 | 12.18% | 1,579 | 86.66% | 21 | 1.15% |
| 1944 | 328 | 19.24% | 1,377 | 80.76% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 138 | 10.38% | 1,036 | 77.95% | 155 | 11.66% |
| 1952 | 373 | 11.39% | 2,902 | 88.61% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 253 | 7.85% | 2,968 | 92.15% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 308 | 8.76% | 3,209 | 91.24% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 864 | 23.84% | 2,758 | 76.10% | 2 | 0.06% |
| 1968 | 716 | 17.16% | 766 | 18.36% | 2,691 | 64.49% |
| 1972 | 2,022 | 82.30% | 435 | 17.70% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 687 | 14.08% | 4,192 | 85.92% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1980 | 1,387 | 27.96% | 3,528 | 71.13% | 45 | 0.91% |
| 1984 | 2,549 | 58.10% | 1,838 | 41.90% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 2,615 | 58.57% | 1,842 | 41.25% | 8 | 0.18% |
| 1992 | 2,391 | 40.37% | 2,505 | 42.29% | 1,027 | 17.34% |
| 1996 | 2,364 | 43.79% | 2,338 | 43.30% | 697 | 12.91% |
| 2000 | 3,659 | 63.50% | 2,040 | 35.40% | 63 | 1.09% |
| 2004 | 5,218 | 69.43% | 2,245 | 29.87% | 52 | 0.69% |
| 2008 | 6,069 | 74.90% | 1,914 | 23.62% | 120 | 1.48% |
| 2012 | 6,114 | 78.62% | 1,499 | 19.27% | 164 | 2.11% |
| 2016 | 7,054 | 82.50% | 1,243 | 14.54% | 253 | 2.96% |
| 2020 | 9,069 | 84.23% | 1,593 | 14.80% | 105 | 0.98% |
| 2024 | 10,459 | 85.79% | 1,647 | 13.51% | 85 | 0.70% |
{{cite web}}:Missing or empty|title= (help)[permanent dead link][title missing]Places adjacent to Franklin County, Georgia | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofFranklin County, Georgia,United States | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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