Demographics
As of the 2020 Census, Franklin County, IN, had a population of 22,785. The median age is approximately 41.6 years. The gender distribution is 50.4% male and 49.6% female. Racially, the county is predominantly White (97.3%), with smaller populations of Hispanic or Latino (1.3%), two or more races (1.0%), African American (0.2%), Asian (0.2%), and other races (0.3%).
Education, Employment and Housing
Franklin County, IN, has 7 public schools, including Franklin County High School. Around 88% of adults hold a high school diploma, while 13% have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Schools in the county have an average GreatSchools rating of 5/10. The student-teacher ratio is approximately 16:1. Educational offerings include advanced placement and vocational programs. School safety reports indicate below-average incidents, with robust anti-bullying policies in place. Adult education services are available through regional partnerships and online programs, supporting continuing education for residents.
As of 2022, Franklin County, IN, has an employment rate of approximately 58%. Leading industries include manufacturing (23%), health care and social assistance (13%), and retail trade (11%). Most residents work in production (15%), management (12%), and office/administrative support (11%). The average commute time is about 31 minutes, with over 80% of workers driving alone. While many are employed locally, a significant portion commute to nearby counties, notably Hamilton and Butler Counties in Ohio, for work.
Franklin County, IN, has a homeownership rate of about 79%, with median home values around $209,000 in 2023—an increase of roughly 6% year-over-year. Median gross rent is approximately $800. The county mainly features single-family homes, with some apartments and rural properties. Popular neighborhoods include Brookville and Laurel. Property tax rates average 0.73%, resulting in an annual tax of about $1,526 on a median-priced home. The market remains stable, favoring buyers, with modest new construction and limited inventory keeping prices competitive.
Elections
Franklin County, IN, has about 17,000 residents, with nearly 12,000 registered voters as of 2024. Voters participate in federal, state, and local elections, often at 19 polling locations spread across the county. In the 2020 presidential election, 77% voted Republican, 21% Democrat. Election administration is managed by the County Clerk and bipartisan election boards. Main issues include local infrastructure and school funding. Republicans dominate local offices, but both parties maintain active committees. Voter turnout typically exceeds 60% in general elections.
County Crime & Safety
Franklin County, IN, reports lower crime rates compared to state averages. According to recent FBI data, the county's violent crime rate is approximately 1.6 incidents per 1,000 residents, while property crime stands at 7.8 per 1,000—both below Indiana’s averages of 3.7 and 19.5, respectively. Law enforcement agencies, including the Franklin County Sheriff's Department, regularly publish crime statistics and encourage community reporting. Overall, Franklin County is considered relatively safe, with active efforts towards crime prevention and public safety awareness.
Popular names
- Michael Brown
- John Miller
- Loretta Jones
- Coy Willis
- John Lewis
- Joey Ailes
- Katherine Johnson
- Matthew Brown
- Renee Laug
- Robert Smith
- Teresa Allen
- Angela Adams
- Barbara Smith
- Betty Martin
- Brandon Johnson
- Charles Peters
- Charles White
- Christy Kuntz
- David Robinson
- David Selm
- David Smith
- Diane Thomas
- Donald Brown
- Donald Smith
- Dustin Smith
- Gary Richardson
- Georgia Harrison
- Harvey Marshall
- James Hunter
- James Johnson
- James Smith
- James Wells
- Jeremy Wilson
- John Smith
- Keith Mergenthal
- Kenneth Cox
- Kenneth Goodin
- Kyle Wilson
- Larry Neeley
- Lauren Lunsford
- Loretta Johnson
- Mary Brown
- Mary Collins
- Matthew Pennington
- Melissa Smith
- Michael Moore
- Michael Wilson
- Mildred Simmermeyer
- Randi Meyer
- Richard Bishop
- Rickie Kuehn
- Robert Jackson
- Ronald Jones
- Sandra Baker
- Sara Stern
- Shawn Conley
- Thomas Meyer
- Zachary Thompson
- Aaron Wilson
- Alicia Reece
Other Counties in Indiana
- Adams
- Allen
- Bartholomew
- Benton
- Blackford
- Boone
- Brown
- Carroll
- Cass
- Clark
- Clay
- Clinton
- Crawford
- Daviess
- De Kalb
- Dearborn
- Decatur
- Delaware
- Dubois
- Elkhart
- Fayette
- Floyd
- Fountain
- Fulton
- Gibson
- Grant
- Greene
- Hamilton
- Hancock
- Harrison
- Hendricks
- Henry
- Howard
- Huntington
- Jackson
- Jasper
- Jay
- Jefferson
- Jennings
- Johnson
- Knox
- Kosciusko
- La Porte
- Lagrange
- Lake
- Lawrence
- Madison
- Marion
- Marshall
- Martin