The story
History
Originally part of Lancaster County in 1729, then York County in 1749, then Cumberland County in 1750, Franklin County became an independent jurisdiction on September 9, 1784, soon after the end of the American Revolutionary War. It is named in honor of Founding Father Benjamin Franklin.
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 155,932. The median age was 42.2 years, 22.4% of residents were under the age of 18, and 20.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.2 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 86.3% White, 3.4% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 3.3% from some other race, and 5.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 6.9% of the population.
55.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 44.5% lived in rural areas.
There were 62,067 households in the county, of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 52.7% were married-couple households, 16.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 66,368 housing units, of which 6.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 71.9% were owner-occupied and 28.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.7%.
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, 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 people/km2). There were 53,803 housing units at an average density of 70 units 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. 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.
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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.
Recreation
There are four Pennsylvania state parks in Franklin County.
Caledonia State Park straddles the Franklin and Adams County line along U.S. Route 30 between Chambersburg and Gettysburg.
Buchanan's Birthplace State Park is the birthplace of the 15th President of the United States, James Buchanan.
Mont Alto State Park is the oldest state park in Pennsylvania.
Cowans Gap State Park is largely surrounded by Buchanan State Forest and straddles the Franklin and Fulton County border.
From Wikipedia’s article on Franklin County, Pennsylvania, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4