A small college town at the southeast edge of Greater Indianapolis
Primarily surrounded by farmland on three sides, Franklin is where the Indianapolis metropolitan area begins or ends, depending on which direction one is headed on Interstate 65. Franklin is about 25 miles southeast of downtown Indy but has long established an identity of its own as the seat of Johnson County. "It has a small-town feel, and it's only 30 minutes away from the big city of Indianapolis," says Realtor Shelly Linton of Smyth and Co. Real Estate, whose office is in downtown Franklin. “It’s an easy commute because we’re close to Interstate 65.” The city is home to Franklin College, a private liberal arts college that opened in 1834 and became Indiana’s first coed institution in 1842. Though the college has just around 1,000 students enrolled, its presence gives Franklin a unique vibe compared to other area communities.
This lovely artistic structure welcomes you to the Franklin community.
Franklin College, located in Franklin, IN, is a private liberal arts college with a rich history
Franklin College is a historic liberal arts school focused on academic excellence.
The 1823 Bakehouse Cafe in Franklin is a gluten-free bakery and restaurant.
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From historic homes near downtown to subdivisions of large 21st-century houses
Franklin's streets are laid out in a strict grid pattern, thanks to the flat topography in Central Indiana. The further one ventures from the center of town, the more winding and less densely populated the streets become. Along Jefferson Street is a vibrant main drag of bungalows and Victorian-era houses. Midwestern row houses are often occupied by local businesses on the street level with apartments in the units above. Single-family homes close to downtown are mid-century or traditional architectural style, while subdivisions with larger, contemporary custom homes are further out. This makes for a standard price range, with some selling for around $150,000 and higher-end homes selling for up to $700,000. The median home price in Franklin is $275,000, however, some have sold for over $1 million, while some fixer-uppers can be found for less than $135,000.
Franklin's streets are laid out in a strict grid pattern.
Find historic homes throughout Franklin, IN.
This lovely ranch style home is nestled in a Franklin neighborhood street.
Explore stunning new builds in Franklin, IN.
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Franklin Community School Corporation serves most students
Most students living in Franklin attend schools in the Franklin Community School Corporation, which earns an A-minus rating from Niche and is the No. 2-ranked school district in Johnson County. Some students living in unincorporated areas southeast of town attend C-rated Edinburgh Community School Corporation. Franklin College is affiliated with American Baptist Churches USA and offers 49 majors. The school is located on a 207-acre, wooded campus. The school has about 1,000 students, and more than three-quarters of them live in on-campus or Greek housing.
Access to I-65 a boon for businesses
Access to Interstate 65 provides Franklin with economic opportunity. Companies such as Amazon, Energizer Batteries, Mistubishi and Target have large distribution centers adjacent to Franklin’s interstate exit. Franklin is also the headquarters of the American Baptist Churches of Indiana and Kentucky, also known as the Indiana Baptist Convention. Public transportation is available on weekdays on the Access Johnson County Franklin East and Franklin West bus routes. Franklin is just under 35 miles from Indianapolis International Airport, typically a 40-minute drive.
Historic Artcraft Theatre at heart of downtown retail area
U.S. Highway 31, known as Morton Street in town, was Franklin’s original conduit to Indianapolis and is still the primary commercial strip. Big box stores, grocery stores and chain and local restaurants are located along Morton Street. Smaller local shops and restaurants populate Franklin’s downtown district, including The Historic Artcraft Theatre. Built for silent movies and vaudeville shows in the 1920s, its 1948 Art Deco marquee evokes that of the famed Chicago Theatre. In addition to screening vintage movies, Artcraft hosts the Torchfire Film Festival, which celebrates international cinema while also having a category specifically for Hoosier filmmakers. "They sell the best popcorn," Linton says of the theatre. "And it's all run by volunteers."
Downtown Franklin has an abundance of shops and attractions.
In downtown Franklin there is no lack of shopping or things to do.
The Historic Artcraft Theatre in Franklin has been restored from 1922.
A view of Franklin's county courthouse.
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Events and public art are city signatures
Public art is one of Franklin’s signatures, with colorful murals dotted throughout the city. Artcraft Alley is a display of 200 multi-colored stars suspended overhead from spring through fall, while the paper lanterns of Kuji Alley evoke Franklin’s sister city of Kuji, Japan. Johnson County dubs itself “Festival Country,” and Franklin is a key part of that scene. Events like the Hops & Vines beer and wine festival and the Franklin Halloween Town are held in Downtown Franklin. "Every time you go downtown for an event, you run into familiar faces of business owners and neighbors," Linton says. The annual Johnson County Fair is held at the county fairgrounds in Franklin every July, with the demolition derby serving as a fan-favorite event.
Franklin College sponsors sports at the NCAA Division III level. The Grizzlies, formerly known as the Fighting Baptists, have faced rival Hanover College in football annually since 1898 in the Victory Bell Game, which is played in Franklin every other year.
As you enter Franklin you'll get a welcoming feeling.
Located in a restored building, The Willard is the perfect spot in Franklin.
Artcraft Alley is a display of 200 multi-colored stars suspended overhead.
Garment Factory is a versatile event space in Franklin, perfect for any occasion.
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Parks and trails take advantage of creekside land
Franklin has 13 parks and one wetland area covering 140 acres across the city. Several parks and the 17-mile-long Franklin Greenway Trail are near Youngs Creek and Hurricane Creek, which run south and east of downtown. Youngs Creek Park, opened in 2022 and anchored by the DriveHubler.com Amphitheater, has quickly become Franklin’s signature park thanks to its downtown location – the Franklin Fall Festival and July 4th Firecracker Festival are held at the park. Blue Heron Park offers an accessible playground, a disc golf course and a cricket ground. Province Park, near the confluence of Hurricane and Youngs creeks, has a skate park and dog park. The Franklin Family Aquatic Center is the city’s outdoor pool, operating from late May until early September. The Cultural Arts & Recreation Center is a 30,000-square-foot indoor space with a fitness center, basketball courts, dance studios, weight room and other amenities.
The Cultural Arts and Recreation Center in Franklin is a hub for fitness, events and more.
Province Park features a playground in the neighborhood of Franklin.
The Franklin Greenway Trail spans approximately 7 miles.
Explore Youngs Creek Parks outdoor space, trails, open green areas and scenic creekside.
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City has taken measures since historic 2008 flooding
In 2023, Franklin's violent crime rate was around one-quarter the national average, and the property crime rate was a little over half the national average.
The face of Franklin was altered by a 100-year flood that temporarily left downtown impassable in 2008. In fact, Youngs Creek Park is built on a former residential area that was wiped out by that flood, and the park space is expected to help mitigate a future major flooding event.
Tornados are common in Johnson County, which has experienced nearly two dozen twisters since 1950. However, no tornado has touched down in Franklin proper since 1954.
Residents can get flower arrangements to go at JP Parker Flowers.
Take a long nature walk at the Blue Heron Park.
This farmhouse style home is an example of "new builds" in Franklin.
Depot Park is located right along an active railroad track that runs right through Franklin.
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