Franklin County, Pennsylvania

Franklin County is a county located in South Central Pennsylvania. A large part of Franklin County lies within the Cumberland Valley.

Geography

Adjacent counties

• Juniata County (north)
• Perry County (northeast)
• Cumberland County (northeast)
• Adams County (east)
• Frederick County, Maryland (southeast)
• Washington County, Maryland (south)
• Fulton County (west)
• Huntingdon County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, 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/km²). There were 53,803 housing units at an average density of 70 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 according to Census 2000. 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.

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.

Municipalities

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, Unincorporated communities in Pennsylvania, and, in at most two cases, towns. The following boroughs and townships are located in Franklin County:

Boroughs

Chambersburg Greencastle Mercersburg Mont Alto	Orrstown Shippensburg (partial) Waynesboro

Townships

Antrim Township Fannett Township Greene Township Guilford Township Hamilton Township	Letterkenny Township Lurgan Township Metal Township Montgomery Township Peters Township	Quincy Township Southampton Township St. Thomas Township Warren Township Washington Township

Census-designated places

Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.

Fayetteville Guilford	Rouzerville Wayne Heights

Other

• State Line

Education

Public School Districts

• Chambersburg Area School District
• Fannett-Metal School District
• Greencastle-Antrim School District
• Shippensburg Area School District
• Tuscarora School District
• Waynesboro Area School District

Recreation

There are three 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.

References and Notes