New Franklin, Ohio is perhaps best known for lakeside fun at Portage Lakes State Park, where locals can do everything from hiking to ice fishing. Some homes in the northeastern part of the city are within walking distance of the state park. Though the city is a bit spread out, particularly toward the west, New Franklin’s regular community events provide plenty of opportunities to get to know other locals. As outlined in the 2022 New Franklin Comprehensive Plan, the community wants to build a number of amenities that would further improve the area’s quality of life, like a farmers market, ADA-accessible playgrounds and a community center. Safewise ranked New Franklin as one of the 100 Safest Cities in America in 2013, and it has since maintained low levels of crime by prioritizing public safety initiatives. Those who want proximity to Akron – but nature right in their backyard – may find what they’re looking for in New Franklin.
New Franklin is surrounded by lakes and places to hike.
Residents of New Franklin enjoy large homes surrounded by dense old growth trees.
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Swim, fish and camp at Portage Lakes State Park
Thanks to New Franklin’s location by Portage Lakes, this community revolves around outdoor recreation. As the purple martin capital of Ohio, birdwatchers flock to the shores of these glacier-made lakes, some over 60 feet deep. Hunters, anglers and campers can head to Portage Lakes State Park in the northeast quadrant; this 411-acre park is also a destination for boating, swimming and watersports. The state park also includes a dog park and a lakeside beach. In the winter, the park is open for ice fishing, cross-country skiing and ice skating. Cyclists and runners have access to the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, a paved pathway stretching over 100 miles across Northeast Ohio. There is a trailhead and campsite in the western part of New Franklin near Clinton. Finally, golfers can head to Turkeyfoot Golf Course or Spring Hills Golf Club, two public courses in New Franklin.
Go for a walk at Portage Lakes State Park.
Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail has trails all through the New Franklin neighborhood.
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Annual community events celebrate the seasons
There are several community events throughout the year at Tudor House on Turkeyfoot Lake, like the Sail into Summer Craft & Vendor Fair, which includes food trucks, free pontoon rides and live music. The Tudor House also hosts Lakeside Oktoberfest, a popular celebration of German culture in autumn. Every 4th of July, hundreds of thousands flock to Turkeyfoot Lake to watch “the largest privately funded fireworks in all of Ohio,” says John Scaglione, longtime resident and Realtor with Coldwell Banker Schmidt. Boat owners can also get into the Independence Day spirit by decorating their boats for the Portage Lakes Boat Parade. The New Franklin community comes together in support of causes like the “Dragon Boat Race to raise money for breast cancer, and the Polar Bear Jump into the freezing lake, which last year earned over $120,000 for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank,” says Scaglione.
Shop small and enjoy local dining
Residents can choose from pizza, tavern fare, steak and more at restaurants along State Route 93. Some local restaurants also offer waterfront dining. New Franklin is not home to a major commercial district, so there are fewer chain restaurants and retail options. There are local shops to keep folks stocked with everything needed for the great outdoors, from fishing supplies to archery gear. For groceries, locals can drive to Buehler’s Fresh Foods or Target.
Local shops in New Franklin.
The Upper Deck has a fun creative environment in New Franklin.
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Find a home surrounded by nature
Most homes in the area are midcentury builds surrounded by trees, allowing plenty of privacy. At the top of the price range are lakefront homes over $1 million. As of March 2024, the average sale price for homes is about $260,000. “Home prices are always on the rise,” says Scaglione, who has been selling real estate for over 31 years. “The housing market in New Franklin broke even after the 2011 adjustment. During bad years, they break even; during good years, there’s a 3.5% or more increase in value,” says Scaglione. New Franklin homes cost about $34,500 more than the Summit County average and about $224,000 under the national average. “Turkeyfoot Lake Golf Links is in the process of developing the Water 9 project – new homes along the golf course,” says Lenny Herbert, a real estate agent with 27 years of experience in RE/MAX Edge Realty serving Akron and the nearby area. Homes are not yet on the market, but interest is growing for this waterfront community, which will have a homeowner’s association.
Homes neatly line the streets of New Franklin.
Cape Cod home with a tidy lawn in New Franklin.
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Car-dependent area
Locals get around by car in New Franklin. Bike lanes and sidewalks aren’t prevalent, and there are no bus stops. Major roads include State Route 93, which stretches north to south, and State Route 619, which connects to Interstate 77. About 9 miles away, the Akron-Canton Airport offers nonstop flights to 20 domestic destinations. The nearest hospital, Summa Health System, is about 7 miles north. New Franklin is about 46 miles south of Cleveland and about 15 miles south of Akron.
Multiple school districts serve the area
The three schools in city limits are Nolley Elementary, Manchester Middle and Manchester High. They are part of Manchester District, rated B on Niche, which covers the eastern half of New Franklin and most homes in the area. The New Franklin community supports Manchester High athletics, recently rallying behind Jaydyn McKinney, a three-time state champion for girls wrestling. Several other nearby school districts are similarly rated B, B-minus and B-plus on Niche.
Kids are challenged to excel at Nolley Elementary School
Manchester Middle School challenges students by offering an all-encompassing curriculum.
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Several public safety initiatives
New Franklin experiences low crime overall. Violent crime incidents totaled 8 in 2020, rose to 14 in 2021 and dropped to 7 in 2022. Property crime incidents totaled 95 in 2020, rose slightly to 98 in 2021 and fell to 79 in 2022. In 2022, the violent crime rate was 0.5 and the property crime rate was 5.7 per 1000 people. Safewise named New Franklin one of the 100 Safest Cities in America in 2013, and since then, the city’s public safety initiatives have remained strong. Through the Juvenile Diversion Program, youth offenders complete community service to expunge their records. The OfferUp Program provides a safe, police-monitored meet-up spot for locals buying and selling secondhand items online. Residents who go away for extended periods may ask the police to check on their homes. New Franklin also has a Neighborhood Watch Program to engage citizens and prevent crime.
When Janice Fleming decided to change career paths, it only made sense to choose real estate where she could combine her desire to help people with her creative vision to help her clients reach their home ownership goals.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
