View source for Franklin, Virginia

{{short description|Independent city in Virginia, United States}}
{{Distinguish|Franklin County, Virginia}}
{{for|the town that is now part of West Virginia|Franklin, West Virginia}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Franklin, Virginia
| settlement_type    = [[Independent city (United States)|Independent city]]
| nickname           = 
| motto              = "Growth – Community – Spirit"<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.franklinva.com/ |title=City of Franklin, Virginia |publisher=City of Franklin |access-date=October 20, 2016 |archive-date=October 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020165750/http://www.franklinva.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| image_skyline      = Franklin, Virginia.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Downtown Franklin, Virginia
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = Franklin, Virginia (town seal).png
| image_map          = Franklin-Location.svg
| mapsize            = 250x200px
| map_caption        = Location in the Commonwealth of [[Virginia]]
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = 
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Virginia|County]]
| subdivision_name   = {{nowrap|{{flagu|United States|size=23px}}}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{Flag|Virginia|size=23px}}
| subdivision_name2  = None ([[Independent city (United States)|Independent city]])
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Paul Kaplan
| leader_title1      = [[Vice Mayor]]
| leader_name1       = Wynndolyn H. Copeland
| established_title  = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]] (Town)
| established_date   = March 1876
| established_title1 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]] (City)
| established_date1  = 1961
| area_magnitude     = 
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_total_sq_mi   = 8.36
| area_land_sq_mi    = 8.28
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.09
| population_as_of   = 2020
| population_total   = 8180
| population_metro   = 
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
| timezone           = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset         = -5
| timezone_DST       = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = -4
| coordinates        = {{Coord|36|40|38|N|76|55|20|W|region:US-VA|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_ft       = 39
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 23851
| area_codes         = [[Area codes 757 and 948|757, 948]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 51-29600<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/ |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website |archive-date=December 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218204847/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 1494943<ref name="GR3-u">{{cite gnis|1494943|Franklin|2026-02-24}}</ref>
| footnotes          = 
| website            = {{URL|https://franklinva.gov/}}
| pop_est_as_of      = 2025
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| population_est     = 8478 {{increase}}
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web |title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_51.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 7, 2020 |archive-date=October 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016234816/https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_51.txt |url-status=live }}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 21.67
| area_land_km2      = 21.44
| area_water_km2     = 0.23
| population_density_km2 = auto
}}

'''Franklin''' is the southwesternmost [[independent city (United States)|independent city]] in [[Hampton Roads]], [[Commonwealth (U.S. state)|Commonwealth]] of [[Virginia]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 8,180.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Franklin city, Franklin city, Virginia |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US5162093643 |website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 26, 2022 |archive-date=January 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130164937/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US5162093643 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Bureau of Economic Analysis]] combines the city of Franklin with [[Southampton County, Virginia|Southampton County]] for statistical purposes.

==History==
The city of Franklin had its beginnings in the 1830s as a railroad stop along the [[Blackwater River (Virginia)|Blackwater River]]. During this era, the river was used to transport goods to and from [[Albemarle Sound]] in [[North Carolina]].<ref name="Rouse">Rouse, Parke Jr. "The Timber Tycoons - The Camp Families of Virginia and Florida, and Their Empire, 1887-1987". Southampton County Historical Society, 1988. ASIN: B00071CPSW</ref>{{rp|1}}

===Civil War===
{{main|Joint Expedition Against Franklin}}
In 1862, the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] came to Franklin in what was referred to as the [[Joint Expedition against Franklin]].<ref>US Navy. Report of the Secretary of the Navy, December 1862. pg 149.</ref> As several [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] flag [[steamship]]s, led by the [[USS Commodore Perry|USS ''Commodore Perry'']], tried to pass through Franklin on the Blackwater River, a band of local [[Confederate States Army|Confederates]] opened fire on the ships. As stated by an officer aboard one of the ships, "The fighting was the same&mdash; Here and there high banks with dense foliage, a narrow and very crooked stream, with the frequent heavy firing of musketry."<ref name="usn153">United States. US Navy. Report of the Secretary of the Navy, December 1862. pg. 153</ref> During the battle, five were killed in action and sixteen were wounded. As the naval vessels retreated, the Confederates tried to block the narrow Blackwater River by felling large trees across it. In the end, the Confederate attempts failed, as no soldiers were captured and no ships were lost.<ref name="usn153" /> A total of seven [[Medal of Honor|Medals of Honor]] were awarded to individual seamen for their distinguished service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/civwarmz.html |title=Civil War Medal of Honor Recipients (M-Z) |access-date=2006-11-07 |publisher=[[United States Army Center of Military History]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223063700/http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/civwarmz.html |archive-date=2009-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/civwaral.html |title=Medal of Honor Recipients Civil War A-L |access-date=2006-11-07 |publisher=[[United States Army Center of Military History]] |archive-date=September 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902081051/http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/civwaral.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[Image:Franklin VA sign.JPG|thumb|A historic sign in downtown Franklin with information on the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] and [[Union Camp]]]]

===Industrialization and the Camp family===
{{main|Union Camp Corporation}}
It was not until 1887 that Franklin began to see significant growth. Six brothers from the Camp family, with local roots, took possession of a local [[sawmill]]. The sawmill was small and had been operating for several years alongside the Blackwater River.<ref name=Rouse/>{{rp|2}} With the Camp family's acquisition of the mill, it experienced 20 years of rapid growth under the leadership of Paul Douglas Camp (president), James Leonidas Camp (vice-president), and Robert Judson Camp (secretary-treasurer). Franklin became a stop on the [[Atlantic and Danville Railway]] in 1890.<ref name="AmRails2020">{{cite web |url=https://www.american-rails.com/nfd.html#gallery |title=American Rails |last=Burns |first=Adam |access-date=18 June 2020 |archive-date=June 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622061026/https://www.american-rails.com/nfd.html#gallery |url-status=live }}</ref> At the end of this period, after a bout with near-bankruptcy, [[World War I]] brought the Camp family back to financial success, bringing along with it the city of Franklin. By 1918, "Tiny Franklin had become a booming wartime village..."<ref name=Rouse/>{{rp|2}}

By 1955, the Camp Corporation's annual sales reached $28 million, much of which spread throughout the city of Franklin. The Camp family, with a strong sense of family and community, gave much back to the city of Franklin through above-average wages and generous donations to local causes.<ref name=Rouse/>{{rp|3}} On May 29, 1956, the residents of Franklin were informed that the Local Camp Manufacturing Corporation had just negotiated a merger with the Union Bag and Paper company operating out of [[New York (state)|New York]]. This merger formed the [[Union Camp Corporation]].

The city continued to grow along with Union Camp and was incorporated as an independent city in 1961, separating from Southampton County.

Union Camp thrived in Franklin until 1999, when it was acquired by [[International Paper]]. Though Union Camp no longer exists in Franklin, the Camp family name lives on. Their legacy is most notable in the community, with [[Paul D. Camp Community College]], the James L Camp Jr. [[YMCA]], the Texie Camp Marks Children's Center, and the Ruth Camp Campbell Memorial Library.

==Geography==
[[Image:Floydfranklin.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Flooding in Franklin after [[Hurricane Floyd]]]]
[[Image:FranklinVirginia22FootWaterMarker.JPG|thumb|200px| Flood level marker in downtown Franklin]]

Franklin is located in southeastern Virginia at {{coord|36|40|38|N|76|55|20|W|type:city}} (36.6772, -76.9222). Its eastern border is the [[Blackwater River (Virginia)|Blackwater River]], a south-flowing tributary of the [[Chowan River]], the principal inflow for [[Albemarle Sound]] in North Carolina. [[U.S. Route 58]] (Southampton Parkway) follows the southern border of the city, leading east {{convert|21|mi}} to [[Suffolk, Virginia|Suffolk]] and {{cvt|42|mi}} to [[Norfolk, Virginia|Norfolk]]. To the west US 58 leads {{cvt|35|mi}} to [[Emporia, Virginia|Emporia]]. [[U.S. Route 258]] passes through the center of Franklin as East Second Avenue, South Main Street, and South Street; US 258 leads northeast {{cvt|15|mi}} to [[Windsor, Virginia]], and southwest {{cvt|21|mi}} to [[Murfreesboro, North Carolina]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city of Franklin has a total area of {{convert|8.3|sqmi|1}}, of which {{cvt|8.2|sqmi|1}} is land and {{cvt|0.1|sqmi|1}} (1.7%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web |date=2011-02-12 |title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html |access-date=2011-04-23 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |archive-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824085937/https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Isle of Wight County, Virginia|Isle of Wight County]] is to the north and east, and [[Southampton County, Virginia|Southampton County]], is to the north, west, and south.

===Climate===
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Franklin has a [[humid subtropical climate]], abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=8637&cityname=Franklin%2C+Virginia%2C+United+States+of+America&units= |title=Climate Summary for Franklin, Virginia |access-date=December 21, 2013 |archive-date=August 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818012915/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=8637&cityname=Franklin%2C+Virginia%2C+United+States+of+America&units= |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{Weather box
| width       = 70%
| collapsed   = 
| open        = 
| single line = y
| trace       =
| location    = Franklin, VA (1991-2020, coordinates:{{coord|36.6751|N|76.9235|W}})
| temperature colour =

| Jan high F  =50.9
| Feb high F  =54.1
| Mar high F  =61.0
| Apr high F  =71.3
| May high F  =78.6
| Jun high F  =86.2
| Jul high F  =89.9
| Aug high F  =88.0
| Sep high F  =82.7
| Oct high F  =73.2
| Nov high F  =62.9
| Dec high F  =54.6
| year high F =
| Jan mean F  =40.4
| Feb mean F  =42.8
| Mar mean F  =49.4
| Apr mean F  =59.3
| May mean F  =67.7
| Jun mean F  =75.7
| Jul mean F  =79.7
| Aug mean F  =78.0
| Sep mean F  =72.4
| Oct mean F  =61.6
| Nov mean F  =51.0
| Dec mean F  =43.9
| year mean F =
| Jan low F  =29.9
| Feb low F  =31.5
| Mar low F  =37.7
| Apr low F  =47.4
| May low F  =56.7
| Jun low F  =65.2
| Jul low F  =69.5
| Aug low F  =67.9
| Sep low F  =62.1
| Oct low F  =49.9
| Nov low F  =39.0
| Dec low F  =33.1
| year low F =
| Jan dew point F =30.7
| Feb dew point F =31.4
| Mar dew point F =37.2
| Apr dew point F =46.5
| May dew point F =57.1
| Jun dew point F =65.5
| Jul dew point F =69.8
| Aug dew point F =68.9
| Sep dew point F =64.1
| Oct dew point F =52.8
| Nov dew point F =41.9
| Dec dew point F =35.2

| precipitation colour    =  green
| Jan precipitation inch  =3.69
| Feb precipitation inch  =2.83
| Mar precipitation inch  =3.97
| Apr precipitation inch  =3.57
| May precipitation inch  =3.91
| Jun precipitation inch  =4.61
| Jul precipitation inch  =5.34
| Aug precipitation inch  =5.40
| Sep precipitation inch  =5.45
| Oct precipitation inch  =4.08
| Nov precipitation inch  =3.22
| Dec precipitation inch  =3.58
| year precipitation inch =

|source = PRISM Climate Group<ref>{{Cite web |title=Time Series Values for Individual Locations: 1991-2020 normals |url=https://prism.oregonstate.edu/explorer/ |access-date=December 6, 2024 |website=prism.oregonstate.edu |publisher= Northwest Alliance for Computational Science & Engineering }}</ref>
|date = December 2024
}}

The [[Blackwater River (Virginia)|Blackwater River]], running along the eastern boundary of the city, played an important role in the industrialization of the city but has not been immune to problems plaguing rivers, most notably flooding. In 1999, in the aftermath of [[Hurricane Floyd]], downtown Franklin was submerged under as much as {{cvt|12|ft}} of water as the Blackwater River swelled to a historic crest of {{cvt|26.4|ft}}.<ref name="histcrests">{{cite web |title=Historic Crests for the Blackwater River near Franklin |url=http://newweb.erh.noaa.gov/ahps2/crests.php?wfo=akq&gage=fknv2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061007132526/http://newweb.erh.noaa.gov/ahps2/crests.php?wfo=akq&gage=fknv2 |archive-date=2006-10-07 |access-date=2006-11-07}}</ref> The resultant flooding caused the submersion of 182 business and 150 homes, located primarily in downtown.<ref>{{cite web |title=Virginia Hurricane History |url=http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/research/roth/vahur.htm |access-date=2006-11-07 |archive-date=March 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318031214/http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/research/roth/vahur.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> When the hurricane name "Floyd" was retired in 2000, the name chosen as a replacement was Franklin. In 2006, Franklin endured another large-scale flood reaching just below the record {{convert|23|ft|adj=on}} water line set from the 1999 flood.<ref name="histcrests" /> The flood was the result of a storm that distributed a large amount of water throughout the watershed in which Franklin resides.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 477
|1890= 875
|1900= 1143
|1910= 2271
|1920= 2363
|1930= 2930
|1940= 3466
|1950= 4670
|1960= 7264
|1970= 6880
|1980= 7308
|1990= 7864
|2000= 8346
|2010= 8582
|2020= 8180
|estyear=2025
|estimate=8478
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2025">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 17, 2026}}</ref> {{increase}}
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html |title=Census of Population and Housing from 1790 |publisher=[[US Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 24, 2022 |archive-date=April 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404140728/https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html |url-status=live }}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/ |title=Historical Census Browser |publisher=University of Virginia Library |access-date=January 6, 2014 |archive-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811110448/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/va190090.txt |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 6, 2014 |archive-date=December 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215150359/http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/va190090.txt |url-status=live }}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 6, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2013<ref name="QF">{{cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/51/51620.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206210037/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/51/51620.html |archive-date=February 6, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| align = right
}}

===Racial and ethnic composition===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Franklin city, Virginia – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 1980<ref name=1980Census>{{Cite web|title=1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Virginia - Table 15 - Persons by Race: 1980 and Table 16  - Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race: 1980 |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980/1980censusofpopu80148uns_bw.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|page=13-24|via=[[WayBack Machine]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260218082208/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980/1980censusofpopu80148uns_bw.pdf| archive-date=February 18, 2026}}</ref>
!Pop 1990<ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Virginia: Tables 3-6 - Race and Hispanic Origin |website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-48.pdf|access-date=|page=13-51|via=[[WayBack Machine]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624191618/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-48.pdf| archive-date=June 24, 2021}}</ref>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Franklin city, Virginia|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US5129600&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Franklin city, Virginia|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US5129600&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!style="background-color: #ffffb3;" | Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Franklin city, Virginia|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US5129600&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!% 1980
!% 1990
!% 2000
!% 2010
!style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |% 2020
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|3,233
|3,630
|3,800
|3,333
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2,966
|44.24%
|46.16%
|45.53%
|38.84%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |36.26%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|3,982
|4,192
|4,351
|4,867
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4,610
|54.49%
|53.31%
|52.13%
|56.71%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |56.36%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|5
|6
|9
|27
|style='background: #ffffe6; |25
|0.07%
|0.08%
|0.11%
|0.31%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.31%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|3
|20
|65
|63
|style='background: #ffffe6; |81
|0.04%
|0.25%
|0.78%
|0.73%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.99%
|-
|[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census</ref>
|x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census</ref>
|1
|2
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2
|x
|x
|0.01%
|0.02%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.02%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|0
|1
|8
|8
|style='background: #ffffe6; |16
|0.00%
|0.01%
|0.10%
|0.09%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.20%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|x <ref>not an option in the 1980 Census</ref>
|x <ref>not an option in the 1990 Census</ref>
|66
|141
|style='background: #ffffe6; |262
|x
|x
|0.79%
|1.64%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3.20%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|85
|15
|46
|141
|style='background: #ffffe6; |218
|1.16%
|0.19%
|0.55%
|1.64%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2.67%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''7,308'''
|'''7,864'''
|'''8,346'''
|'''8,582'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''8,180 '''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

===2020 census===

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], Franklin had a population of 8,180. The median age was 43.8 years. 23.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 82.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 75.7 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME%2CDP1_0021P%2CDP1_0024P%2CDP1_0025C%2CDP1_0049C%2CDP1_0045C%2CDP1_0069C%2CDP1_0073C%2CDP1_0125P%2CDP1_0126P%2CDP1_0129P%2CDP1_0133P%2CDP1_0137P%2CDP1_0138P%2CDP1_0139P%2CDP1_0141P%2CDP1_0142P%2CDP1_0143P%2CDP1_0145P%2CDP1_0146P%2CDP1_0147C%2CDP1_0148C%2CDP1_0149C%2CDP1_0156C%2CDP1_0157C%2CDP1_0158C%2CDP1_0159P%2CDP1_0160P&for=place%3A29600&in=state%3A51|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=February 22, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Census2020PL"/>

96.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 3.9% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME%2CP2_002N%2CP2_003N&for=place%3A29600&in=state%3A51|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=February 22, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 3,407 households in Franklin, of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 34.3% were married-couple households, 17.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 43.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 3,886 housing units, of which 12.3% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.4%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census<ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N%2CP1_003N%2CP1_004N%2CP1_005N%2CP1_006N%2CP1_007N%2CP1_008N%2CP1_009N%2CP2_001N%2CP2_002N%2CH1_001N%2CH1_002N&for=place%3A29600&in=state%3A51|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=February 22, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>
! Race !! Number !! Percent
|-
| [[White Americans|White]] || 3,008 || 36.8%
|-
| [[African Americans|Black or African American]] || 4,639 || 56.7%
|-
| [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian and Alaska Native]] || 34 || 0.4%
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]] || 81 || 1.0%
|-
| [[Native Hawaiians|Native Hawaiian]] and [[Pacific Islander|Other Pacific Islander]] || 5 || 0.1%
|-
| Some other race || 79 || 1.0%
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races]] || 334 || 4.1%
|-
| ''[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (of any race)'' || 218 || 2.7%
|}

===2010 census===
[[Image:USA Franklin city, Virginia age pyramid.svg|thumb|Age distribution in Franklin]]

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR8">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/ |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2011-05-14 |title=U.S. Census website |archive-date=December 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218204847/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> of 2010, there were 8,582 people, 3,384 households, and 2,277 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|999.2|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 3,767 housing units at an average density of {{convert|451.0|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 56.9% [[African American (U.S. census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 39.4% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.7% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.0% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.7% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], 0.3% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], and 1.9% from two or more races. 1.6% of the population were [[Hispanics in the United States|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 3,384 households, out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 21.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.1% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.2 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 73.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,687, and the median income for a family was $40,299. Males had a median income of $32,083 versus $21,927 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $18,573. About 16.8% of families and 19.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 34.9% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those aged 65 or over.
==Economy==
Modern Franklin has two major industrial sectors: agriculture and manufacturing.<ref name="franklinhist">{{cite web |title=Tourism & History |url=http://www.franklinva.com/tour_history.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061029195337/http://www.franklinva.com/tour_history.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=2006-10-29 |access-date=2006-11-07}}</ref> Franklin is listed as being the 13th-most profitable and 12th-largest farming community in the state.<ref name="topvacount">{{cite web |title=Virginia Farm Bureau |url=http://www.nass.usda.gov/va/vpage2.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070905084033/http://www.nass.usda.gov/va/vpage2.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=2007-09-05 |access-date=2008-01-22}}</ref> The neighboring areas of [[Southampton County, Virginia|Southampton]] and [[Isle of Wight County, Virginia|Isle of Wight]] counties, along with the city of [[Suffolk, Virginia|Suffolk]], are all ranked in the 20 most profitable farming counties, with Southampton County being the eighth-largest in the state.<ref name="topvacount" />

With the high agricultural profile of Franklin and the surrounding areas, it was only with the opening of the Camp Lumber Mill in 1887 that the manufacturing sector began to expand. The Camp Lumber Mill became the [[Union Camp Corporation]], which was eventually bought by [[International Paper]].<ref name="franklinhist" /> Today, the International Paper mill, located on the eastern boundary of the city, beside the [[Blackwater River (Virginia)|Blackwater River]], produces lumber, pulp and paper products and other chemical by-products.

International Paper announced on October 22, 2009, that the paper mill would be permanently closed, which took place in May 2010. This eliminated ~1,100 jobs from the community.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Olson |first1=Peter |title=Adding Jobs |url=http://hamptonroads.com/2009/10/franklin-paper-mill-close-1100-lose-jobs |access-date=30 June 2015 |website=Virginia Pilot Online |publisher=Pilotone.com |archive-date=May 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531085854/http://hamptonroads.com/2009/10/franklin-paper-mill-close-1100-lose-jobs |url-status=live }}</ref> They have since resumed limited manufacturing, producing [[fluff pulp]].<ref name="fluffpulp">{{cite web |last=McWhirter |first=Cameron |date=11 September 2012 |title=Chinese diapers save a U.S. paper mill |url=http://www.businesswithoutborders.com/industries/consumer-goods/chinese-diapers-save-a-u-s-paper-mill/ |access-date=2012-11-06 |publisher=The Wall Street Journal |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105091821/http://www.businesswithoutborders.com/industries/consumer-goods/chinese-diapers-save-a-u-s-paper-mill/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This resulted in 213 new jobs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Olson |first1=Peter |title=Adding Jobs |url=http://hamptonroads.com/2011/05/international-paper-reopen-franklin-mill-hire-213-workers |access-date=30 June 2015 |website=Virginia Pilot Online |publisher=Pilotonline.com |archive-date=July 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710021026/http://hamptonroads.com/2011/05/international-paper-reopen-franklin-mill-hire-213-workers |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Arts and culture==

===Arts facilities and museums===
Franklin has a mini-museum of firefighting at the Franklin Fire Department.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Downtown Franklin Visitors Center |url=https://www.virginia.org/listing/downtown-franklin-visitors-center/15827/ |access-date=2023-03-18 |website=www.virginia.org |language=en-us |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318080851/https://www.virginia.org/listing/downtown-franklin-visitors-center/15827/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Attractions in Franklin Southampton {{!}} Visit Franklin Southampton, VA |url=https://www.visitfranklinsouthamptonva.com/things-to-do/attractions/ |access-date=2023-03-18 |website=www.visitfranklinsouthamptonva.com |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318080852/https://www.visitfranklinsouthamptonva.com/things-to-do/attractions/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Blackwater Regional Library]] system has the Ruth Camp Campbell Memorial Library.<ref name=":0" />

===Events and festivals===
Annual events in Franklin include the Lumberjack Festival and the Juneteenth Cultural Celebration.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Events {{!}} City of Franklin |url=https://www.franklinva.com/news-events/events/ |access-date=2023-03-18 |website=www.franklinva.com |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318112440/https://www.franklinva.com/news-events/events/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In the fall, the city hosts the Franklin Fall Festival and the Downtown Boo Bash.<ref name=":2" /> There is also the annual Franklin Christmas Parade and the Holiday Open House & Craft Fair.<ref name=":2" />
[[File:Elms_located_on_Clay_Street,_Franklin,_VA..JPG|thumb|The Elms located on Clay Street]]

===Architecture===
{{Main|National Register of Historic Places listings in Franklin, Virginia}}
Originally the city's train depot, the restored Franklin Depot & Visitors Center is located in Historic Downtown Franklin. The Elms (Franklin, Virginia) is a [[Queen Anne Style architecture|Queen Anne]] and [[Colonial Revival architecture|Colonial Revival]] style house built in 1898; it is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]. The seventeen-acre [[Woods Hill]]s estate is also National Register-listed. The [[Franklin Historic District (Virginia)|Franklin Historic District]] includes 226 contributing residential and commercial buildings including the circa 1840 Camp Family Homestead, Pretlow Peanut Company Warehouses, and numerous churches.

==Sports==
Franklin High School is home to the 2004 and 2008 VHSL Division 1A State Football Champions. Franklin City Schools is home to [[FIRST Robotics Competition]] Team 1610 who were winners of the FIRST Robotics NASA/VCU regional robotics competition in 2006 and the FIRST Robotics Virginia regional competition in 2013, 2014, and 2015.

==Parks and recreation==
The Franklin Department of Parks & Recreation oversees eleven sites, including Barrett's Landing on the [[Blackwater River (Virginia)|Blackwater River]], the Blackwater River Boat Landing, and the Nottoway River Boat Landing which include boat ramps for fishing and boating.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Parks & Recreation {{!}} City of Franklin |url=https://www.franklinva.com/government/departments/parks-and-recreation/ |access-date=2023-03-18 |website=www.franklinva.com |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318142455/https://www.franklinva.com/government/departments/parks-and-recreation/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1" /> James L. Camp Jr. [[YMCA]] is located in Franklin.

==Government==
The city has a [[council–manager government]].<ref name="citygovernment">[https://franklinva.gov/government/city_government.php City Government]</ref> The city council includes seven members, including one elected from each of six wards and a seventh, the mayor, elected at large.<ref name="citycharter">[https://ecode360.com/28953615#28953616 City Charter, § 3.01]</ref>

Franklin is heavily Democratic, having supported Democrats in presidential elections in every election since 1984. [[Barack Obama]] won the highest percentage of the vote for any Democrat in the city's history in both 2008 and 2012, and since then every Democratic candidate has gained over 60% of the vote.

{{PresHead|place=Franklin, Virginia|source=<ref>{{cite web |author=David Leip |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |publisher=Uselectionatlas.org |access-date=2020-12-09 |archive-date=March 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323225526/https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://historical.elections.virginia.gov/elections/view/80871/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250803232949/https://historical.elections.virginia.gov/elections/view/80871/ |archive-date=2025-08-03 |url-status=live|title=2016 President General Election|last=O'Bannon|first=John|author-link=John O'Bannon|date=November 8, 2016|work=[[Virginia Department of Elections]]|access-date=October 13, 2025}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|783|1,257|1|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|951|792|513|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|1,416|738|25|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|1,127|1,116|47|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|1,045|1,324|87|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|1,561|1,537|32|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|1,557|1,630|23|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|1,347|1,696|296|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|1,200|1,962|223|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|1,393|1,763|35|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|1,613|1,910|13|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|1,576|2,819|32|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|1,496|2,833|31|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|1,421|2,519|130|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|1,487|2,525|46|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|1,476|2,359|52|Virginia}}
{{PresFoot}}

Both major parties of the United States political system operate in Franklin with official committees.

==Education==
Franklin City Public Schools includes S. P. Morton Elementary School which includes pre-K through 5, J. P. King, Jr. Middle School which includes grades 6 through 8, and [[Franklin High School (Virginia)|Franklin High School]] which includes grades 9 through 12. [[Paul D. Camp Community College]] is also located in Franklin.

==Infrastructure==
[[Image:KFKN airport sign.JPG|right|thumb|250px|The Franklin Airport sign]]

===Transportation===

====Air transit====
The [[Franklin Municipal Airport]] (John Beverly Rose Field) is located in Franklin.

====Primary Routes====

===Healthcare===
The Bon Secours - Southampton Medical Center is a 221-bed hospital located in Franklin.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bon Secours Southampton Memorial Hospital {{!}} USACS |url=https://www.usacs.com/locations/bon-secours-southampton-memorial-hospital |access-date=2023-03-18 |website=www.usacs.com |language=en |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318080851/https://www.usacs.com/locations/bon-secours-southampton-memorial-hospital |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Utilities===
Franklin Municipal Power and Light provide electricity for the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Utilities {{!}} City of Franklin |url=https://www.franklinva.com/residents/utilities/ |access-date=2023-03-18 |website=www.franklinva.com |archive-date=January 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130115013/https://www.franklinva.com/residents/utilities/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Notable people==
*[[Randy Blythe]] (1971- ), musician [[Lamb of God (band)]]
*[[Terry Bradshaw (baseball)|Terry Bradshaw]], [[professional baseball]] [[Coach (baseball)|coach]]
*[[James Leonidas Camp]], founder and vice-president of Camp Manufacturing Company, later [[Union Camp Corporation]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=James Leonidas Camp (7 June 1895-27 February 1983) Biography |url=https://old.lva.virginia.gov/public/dvb/bio.asp?b=Camp_James_Leonidas |access-date=2025-08-29 |website=Dictionary of Virginia Biography |publisher=Library of Virginia}}</ref><ref name=":3">Rouse Jr., Parke. ''The Timber Tycoons: The Camp Families of Virginia and Florida, and their Empire, 1887-1987''. Richmond: The William Bird Press, 1988.</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |date=1913-06-21 |title=Camp Manufacturing Company--A Stalwart Southern Lumber Concern |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-portsmouth-star-camp-manufacturing-c/180009837/ |access-date=2025-08-30 |work=The Portsmouth Star |pages=30 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1925-12-05 |title=James L. Camp Dies in Virginia |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-james-l-camp-dies/180009882/ |access-date=2025-08-30 |work=The News and Observer |location=Raleigh, North Carolina |pages=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |date=1912-03-21 |title=North Carolina Pine |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-virginian-pilot-north-carolina-pine/180010045/ |access-date=2025-08-30 |work=The Virginian-Pilot |location=Norfolk, Virginia |pages=55 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
*[[Paul Douglas Camp]], founder and president of Camp Manufacturing Company, later [[Union Camp Corporation]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Paul Douglas Camp (25 October 1849-5 February 1924) Biography |url=https://old.lva.virginia.gov/public/dvb/bio.asp?b=Camp_Paul_Douglas |access-date=2025-08-29 |website=Dictionary of Virginia Biography |publisher=Library of Virginia}}</ref><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=1924-02-06 |title=Paul D. Camp, Franklin Mill Owner, Dies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/ledger-star-paul-d-camp-franklin-mill/180009962/ |access-date=2025-08-30 |work=Ledger-Star |location=Norfolk, Virginia |pages=11 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1924-02-09 |title=Hundreds Attend Funeral Services of Paul D. Camp |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-virginian-pilot-hundreds-attend-fune/180010002/ |access-date=2025-08-30 |work=The Virginian-Pilot |location=Norfolk, Virginia |pages=5 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=":5" />
*[[Robert Judson Camp]], founder and secretary/treasurer of Camp Manufacturing Company, later [[Union Camp Corporation]]<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=1915-05-31 |title=R. J. Camps Dies at Franklin Home |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-virginian-pilot-r-j-camps-dies-at/180010089/ |access-date=2025-08-30 |work=The Virginian-Pilot |location=Norfolk, Virginia |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-virginian-pilot-r-j-camps-dies-at/180010089/ 1], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-virginian-pilot-r-j-camp-dies-in-f/180010103/ 3] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1915-06-01 |title=Educated at University |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-progress-educated-at-universit/180010194/ |access-date=2025-08-30 |work=The Daily Progress |location=Charlottesville, Virginia |pages=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
*[[Paul Councill]], politician
*[[Colgate Darden]] (1897-1981), politician, [[University of Virginia]] president, namesake of [[Darden School of Business]]
*[[Georgia Mabel DeBaptiste]], journalist, teacher, and social worker
*[[Wyatt Durrette (politician)|Wyatt Durrette]], attorney and politician
*[[John James Dyer]], [[United States federal judge|United States district judge]] of the [[United States District Court for the District of Iowa]]
*[[Garland Gray]], politician
*[[Lansing Hatfield]], [[bass-baritone]] opera singer and radio personality
*[[Della Irving Hayden]] (1851-1924), founder of the Franklin Normal and Industrial Institute
*[[Joseph Holland (actor)|Joseph Holland]], stage and screen actor
*[[Mul Holland]], professional baseball player
*[[Richard Hudson (American politician)|Richard Hudson]], congressman
*[[William B. Lindsey]], politician
*[[Pauline C. Morton]], educator and activist
*[[Charlie Peete]] (1929-1956), baseball player
*[[William V. Rawlings]], attorney and politician
*[[Fleming Rutledge]] (1937-), preacher, author, and Episcopalian priest
*[[B. Scott]], television personality, radio show host, and [[internet celebrity]]
*[[Greg Scott (American football)|Greg Scott]] (1979- ), professional football player, philanthropist
*[[Randolph Scott]], film actor
*[[Charlie Whitehead]], soul singer

==See also==
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Franklin, Virginia]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Franklin, Virginia}}
*[https://franklinva.gov/ City of Franklin official website]
*{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080420235958/http://www.downtownfranklinva.org/ Downtown Franklin official website]}}
*[https://franklinsouthamptonva.com/ Franklin-Southampton Economic Development, Inc. official website]
*[https://visitfranklinsouthamptonva.com/ Escape to Tradition - Official Tourism website]
*[https://hamptonroadsalliance.com/ Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance], serving Franklin

{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Franklin, Virginia
|North     = [[Southampton County, Virginia|Southampton County]]
|Northeast = 
|East      = [[Isle of Wight County, Virginia|Isle of Wight County]]
|Southeast = 
|South     = [[Southampton County, Virginia|Southampton County]]
|Southwest = 
|West      = [[Southampton County, Virginia|Southampton County]]
|Northwest = 
}}

{{Hampton Roads}}
{{Virginia}}
{{Northeast Megalopolis}}
{{Virginia county seats and independent cities}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Franklin, Virginia| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Virginia]]
[[Category:Black Belt in the American South]]
[[Category:Majority-minority counties and independent cities in Virginia]]