Franklin, West Virginia

Franklin, West Virginia
Town
Pendleton County Courthouse in Franklin
Nickname(s): F-Town
Location of Franklin, West Virginia
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	West Virginia
County	Pendleton
Area
• Total	0.56 sq mi (1.45 km2)
• Land	0.56 sq mi (1.45 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation	1,732 ft (528 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	721
• Estimate (2012)	707
• Density	1,287.5/sq mi (497.1/km2)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	26807
Area code(s)	304
FIPS code	54-29044
GNIS feature ID	1551175

Franklin is a town in Pendleton County, West Virginia, USA. The population was 721 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Pendleton County. Franklin was established in 1794 and named for Francis Evick, an early settler.

History

The South Branch of the Potomac River in Franklin crested at 22.6 feet during the 1985 Election day floods. Flood stage at the time in the shallow riverbed was only 7 feet.

The Ananias Pitsenbarger Farm was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.

Geography

Franklin is located at (38.647400, -79.331557).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.56 square miles (1.45 km²), all of it land.

Attractions

Franklin Gorge is a popular rock climbing destination.

The Franklin Historic District and McCoy House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Located near to Franklin are the McCoy Mill, Priest Mill, and Ananais Pitsenbarger Farm Nearby attractions include Seneca Rocks, a popular climbing and hiking location as well as Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1880	273		—
1900	205		—
1910	200		−2.4%
1920	320		60.0%
1930	431		34.7%
1940	613		42.2%
1950	777		26.8%
1960	758		−2.4%
1970	695		−8.3%
1980	780		12.2%
1990	914		17.2%
2000	797		−12.8%
2010	721		−9.5%
Est. 2014	685		−5.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 721 people, 313 households, and 173 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,287.5 inhabitants per square mile (497.1/km²). There were 398 housing units at an average density of 710.7 per square mile (274.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.5% White, 1.0% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.7% of the population.

There were 313 households of which 18.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.7% were non-families. 40.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.00 and the average family size was 2.68.

The median age in the town was 55.5 years. 14.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 16% were from 25 to 44; 28.4% were from 45 to 64; and 36.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 44.2% male and 55.8% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 797 people, 362 households, and 222 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,582.0 inhabitants per square mile (615.4/km²). There were 424 housing units at an average density of 841.6 per square mile (327.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.11% White, 2.01% African American, 0.25% Native American, .13% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.38% of the population.

There were 362 households out of which 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.4% were non-families. 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the town the population was spread out with 20.7% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 24.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 82.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $32,125, and the median income for a family was $40,500. Males had a median income of $23,839 versus $18,056 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,609. About 6.0% of families and 11.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.3% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.

Festivals

The most popular festivals in Franklin are the Treasure Mountain Festival, which takes place annually the third weekend in September, and the annual Spring Fest in May. Both attract visitors from surrounding counties and states.

Climate

The climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year round. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Franklin has a marine west coast climate, abbreviated "Cfb" on climate maps.