Franklin, Massachusetts, named after Benjamin Franklin, is the birthplace of public education and the home of America’s first public library. The suburban area of about 33,000 residents sits 40 miles from Boston, 40 from Worcester and 30 from Providence. Though Franklin has grown over the years, it has maintained a small-town feel, with a modest downtown district and long-established traditions, like the Annual Harvest Festival. “When I first moved there, it had a strong community. Everybody knew each other, families were there for years, and if you didn’t know so and so, you knew their sister,” says Realtor Kim Kimball with Costello Realty. “It’s gotten bigger over the last 30 years, and there are a lot more people who use it for commuting to the city, whether it’s Worcester or Boston.”
Franklin is the location of the first public library in the country.
Residents of Franklin would share they feel a strong sense of community
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Strong schools with Division 1 sports
Franklin Public School District scores an A on Niche. High school students can apply for the Franklin Arts Academy, a three-year educational pathway focused on arts integration. Athletes can participate in Division 1 sports, regulated by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association. “It’s a very competitive town,” Kimball says. “I sold a five-bedroom house here to someone who said his wife was going to be working out of Boston, but he wanted a D1 school for his boys.” For higher education, Dean College, a private, four-year university, operates out of Franklin, as well.
Franklin High School in Franklin received an overall score of A- on niche.
Annie Sullivan Middle School in Franklin provides a supportive and empowering learning.
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A quieter home base than towns closer to Boston
Streetscapes in Franklin typically consist of paved sidewalks, grassy front lawns and deciduous trees. “People like that they can get a suburban life and still be close to the city,” Kimball says. Homes were primarily built in the late-19th and early-20th centuries, in styles including colonials, raised ranch-style houses and bungalows. Alternatively, buyers may find townhouses and condo buildings. The median price sits at about $655,000, which is higher than the national average.
A stunning garrison colonial home in Franklin.
Patriotic homes on the Common can be found in Franklin.
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A night at the theater and the Annual Harvest Festival
Franklin residents have plenty of activities to choose from both in Boston and closer to home. The Black Box performing arts theater and the Dean College Main Stage Theater host plays and live musical performances. Students at the Franklin School of Performing Arts also put on productions, including The Nutcracker.
Apart from holiday gatherings, the Franklin Porchfest and seasonal farmers markets, the town’s largest event is the Annual Harvest Festival. The event brings the community together for crafts, food, shopping and entertainment. Folks can go on a hayride, decorate pumpkins or peruse the dozens of booths, set up by local businesses and organizations.
Four seasons of activities on the Southern New England Trunkline Trail
Franklin offers outdoor activities on both land and water. The Franklin State Forest spans about 800 acres and features miles of hiking trails through the woods. Locals can explore the ponds at the DelCarte Conservation Area, which has a playground and boat launches. The Southern New England Trunkline Trail runs through Franklin, connecting it with five other nearby towns. People hike and ride bikes on the rail trail during the warmer months and swap their sneakers for cross-country skis in the winter.
Franklin State Forest covers 843 acres for residents to hike, mountain bike and dirt bike.
Franklin residents enjoy walking the Souther New England Trunkline Trail.
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Locally owned businesses on Main Street
Main Street’s aged brick and stone buildings feature cafes, restaurants and shops in a small downtown area. Shopping centers off West Central Street have big-box grocery options, and the closest Walmart is about 5 miles away in Bellingham.
Visit Birchwood Cafe in Franklin for great ambiance, friendly staff, and incredible food.
Visit I Have Coins and Collectibles in Franklin and peruse the incredible collection.
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One-hour rides into South Station
Interstate 495 cuts through Franklin and connects to towns all the way toward Cape Cod. Folks can reach Boston in an hour by taking I-495 to the Massachusetts Turnpike, and Worcester is also a 45-minute drive away. Greater Attleboro and Taunton Regional Transit Authority buses stop throughout town, and the commuter rails out of Franklin reach Boston’s South Station in about an hour.
Centrally located Franklin Station makes commuting into Boston quick and easy.
Franklin commuters can easily access I-495.
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Lower crime rates than the state and snowy winters
According to Massachusetts Crime Statistics, the overall crime rate in Franklin is lower than the statewide rate. Between 2022 and 2023, overall crime dropped by nearly 15%.
Similar to all of New England, Franklin winters can get snowy. Residents are required to shovel their sidewalks within 12 hours of snowfall.
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