Franklin, Pennsylvania


Franklin is a city in Venango County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 6,078 in the 2018 census. It is the county seat of Venango County. Franklin is part of the Oil City, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area. Franklin was ranked in America's Top Ten Streets in 2019. Franklin is known for the three day autumn festival known as Applefest in October which attracts hundreds of visitors.

History

Franklin sits on French Creek and the Allegheny River, which was a great spot for Native Americans to build shelter. In 1740, Scottish fur trader John Fraser built a trading post in Franklin. Once the trading post was abandoned, British fur traders planned to construct it. George Washington was sent to Franklin to warn the French that they were trespassing on British land. The French did not leave; instead they created Fort Machault, where they amassed large forces to attack Fort Pitt in an effort to reclaim Fort Duquesne. The French then had to rescue Fort Niagara; before leaving they burned Fort Machault to the ground. In 1760, the British erected Fort Venango. In 1763, Native Americans killed many British. The American Colonial Forces then constructed Fort Franklin, named after Benjamin Franklin. In 1787 Andrew Ellicott, who surveyed Washington D.C., was hired to lay out the land of Franklin. Once oil was discovered in nearby Titusville, Franklin became a booming oil town. Once oil companies moved west, Franklin created machinery companies.

Geography

Franklin is located at .
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which is land and is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2018, there were 6,078 people, 2,989 households, and 1,814 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,560.2 people per square mile. There were 3,293 housing units at an average density of 709.8 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 95.18% White, 3.19% African American, 0.04% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.67% of the population.
There were 2,989 households, out of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.8% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 35.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.8% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $23,818, and the median income for a family was $34,718. Males had a median income of $32,912 versus $21,178 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,234. About 13.6% of families and 17.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.4% of those under age 18 and 14.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

In 1903, the city was the home of the Franklin Athletic Club, one of the earliest professional football teams. That season, the team was unofficially recognized as the "US Football Champions" and later won the 1903 World Series of Football, held that December at Madison Square Garden. The team included several of the era's top players, such as: Herman Kerchoff, Arthur McFarland, Clark Schrontz, Paul Steinberg, Pop Sweet, Eddie Wood, and coach Blondy Wallace.
Among other sporting accomplishments, Franklin Area High School has won two state basketball championships. In 2001 and 2006, the boys team, playing in PIAA Class AAA District 10, defeated Allentown Central Catholic out of District 11 and Communications Tech from District 12, respectively.

Notable people