Franklin, Tennessee

Franklin is a city within and the county seat of Williamson County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 62,487 as of the 2010 census Franklin is located approximately 20 mi south of downtown Nashville.

History
Ewen Cameron built the first house in the town of Franklin. Cameron was born February 23, 1768 in Balgalkan, Ferintosh, Scotland. He emigrated to Virginia in 1785 and from there came to Tennessee. Cameron died February 28, 1846, having lived forty-eight years in the same log house. He and his second wife, Mary, are buried in the old City Cemetery. His descendants have lived in Franklin continuously since 1798 when his son Duncan was the first white child born here.

The City of Franklin was founded October 26, 1799 by Abram Maury, Jr. (1766–1825), who was also a State Senator and is buried with his family in Founders Pointe, and was named after Benjamin Franklin, a close friend of Dr. Hugh Williamson, a member of the Continental Congress for whom Williamson County was named.

The Battle of Franklin was fought on November 30, 1864, resulting in almost 10,000 casualties (killed, wounded, captured and missing) and turning forty-four buildings in town into field hospitals.

Franklin has grown from a very small, agricultural community into a strong blend of residential, commercial and corporate citizens.

Franklin is considered to be the heart of Williamson County.

Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 62,487 people, (Williamson County's population is 193,595). As of 2010 there were 16,128 households, and 11,225 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,393.3 people per square mile (538.0/km2). There were 17,296 housing units at an average density of 575.9 per square mile (222.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 84.53% Caucasian, 10.35% Black, 4.84% Hispanic/Latino, 1.61% Asian, 0.24% Native American, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.17% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races.

There were 16,128 households out of which 38.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.2% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.09. In the city the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 38.1% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 7.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $65,506, and the median income for a family was $69,431 (these figures had risen to $74,914 and $87,125 respectively as of a 2007 estimate ). Males had a median income of $50,226 versus $31,531 for females. The per capita income for the city was $32,160. About 5.1% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.0% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.

The area of downtown Franklin is built around a town square located at 3rd Avenue and Main Street (U.S. Route 31). Located at the center of the square there is a Civil War Monument. There are also several historic homes located in this area.
 * Historic downtown Franklin

In addition to the historical sites located in downtown Franklin, many businesses make this area their home. Main Street is filled with boutiques and a variety of eateries.

Economy
Community Health Systems, Healthways,Home Instead Senior Care, MedSolutions Inc, Magazines.com, the Provident Music Group, World Christian Broadcasting and Nissan's North American headquarters are based in Franklin.

Top Employers
According to the City's 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:

Notable events

 * In November 1864, the Second Battle of Franklin of the Civil War took place, with the first fifteen minutes being the most bloody fifteen minutes in all of American history.
 * The movie premieres of Friday Night Lights and Elizabethtown were held in Franklin.
 * Film productions shot in Franklin include At Close Range (1986), starring Sean Penn and Christopher Walken; and "One of the Miracles: The Inge Meyring Smith Story" (2010), "Hannah Montana: The Movie" was shot downtown, and another "Walt Disney Pictures" film, The Country Bears," was shot downtown, as well as other scenes being shot in California.

Main Street Festival
Franklin’s Main Street Festival is a street festival that brings more than 200 artisans & crafters, four stages, two carnivals and two food courts to the historic Franklin Square and Downtown District. Arts and crafts booths line Main Street from First to Fifth Avenue.

Wine Down Main Street
Wine Down Main Street is a unique wine tasting event that takes place along historic Main Street in Franklin, Tennessee on the first Friday in November. This annual event is a benefit for the Boys & Girls Club of Franklin/Williamson County.

Pumpkinfest
Franklin's Pumpkinfest, an annual fundraiser for the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County, is held each year on the Saturday before Halloween, with many Halloween-themed activities. Music, children's amusements, local artisans and food are the primary entertainment.

Notable people

 * George Jones, the legendary country-music singer, lives in Franklin.
 * Miley Cyrus, American actress and singer, was born in nearby Nashville and raised in Franklin before working on the popular TV show Hannah Montana.
 * Jimmy Griffin (deceased, 2005) is an Academy Award winning songwriter, singer, and guitarist, with the 1970s rock band Bread. He also had roles in the movies For Those Who Think Young (1964) and None But the Brave (1965).
 * Ryan O'Sullivan, The famous Psychologist, grew up in Franklin.
 * Brad Paisley and wife Kimberly Williams live in Franklin
 * Brandon Hargest and sister Brittany Hargest, former members of Jump5, reside in Franklin.
 * Mark Volman of the 1960s rock band The Turtles currently lives in Franklin.
 * Steven Curtis Chapman, Grammy award and Gospel Music Association Dove Award winning composer and singer, lives in Franklin.
 * Ashley Judd and her husband Dario Franchitti divide their lives between Scotland and Franklin, where they have a ranch.
 * Will Hoge, a Nashville recording artist, was born and raised in Franklin.
 * John Kay (musician) lives in Franklin
 * Lee Greenwood lives in Franklin with his wife Kim Greenwood and sons.
 * Kings of Leon rock band originated from Franklin.
 * TobyMac lives in Franklin.
 * Alex Beaton lives in Franklin
 * Nick Carter lives in Franklin.
 * Hayley Williams from Paramore lives in Franklin.

Sister Cities

 * Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada
 * County Laois, Ireland