FRANKLIN COUNTY
County Offices
113 Market Street
Louisburg 919-496-5994
https://www.franklincountync.gov/
Chamber of Commerce
112 East Nash Street
Louisburg 919-496-3056
https://www.franklin-chamber.org/
Just 32 miles from the Raleigh Durham International Airport and 35 miles from Research Triangle Park, Franklin County draws newcomers to charming small towns and picturesque countryside. Within an hour’s drive, three world-class research universities anchor first-rate cultural attractions.
Services
While residents of Franklin County enjoy the serenity of country living and small-town friendliness, the caliber of services are exemplary. Quality healthcare services are available close to home for residents of Franklin County, who need look no further than Franklin Regional Medical Center for advanced care. This 85-bed, acute-care medical and surgical hospital features a new state-of-the-art staffed emergency department, an expanded surgical services unit, and a new therapy center with the region’s only therapeutic swimming pool. Established in 1951, the hospital has continually expanded and improved its facilities and services to meet the needs of a growing population. The hospital is proud of its long history of caring for Franklin County neighbors and the full array of community health education programs that enable them to take a proactive approach to health and wellness.
The commitment to education has been a hallmark of Franklin County since the 1700s, when Louisburg College was first established. This unique institution is a highly successful, private, residential, two-year college that sends more than 90 percent of its graduates to four-year colleges and universities. Distinguished as the oldest junior college in the nation, Louisburg College owes much of its success to a student-oriented atmosphere that emphasizes individual growth, introspection, and expression. The college assists students with realizing they have important contributions and finding their voice. Affiliated with the United Methodist Church, the college offers a supportive community where students are nurtured and encouraged intellectually, culturally, socially, physically, and spiritually. The town of Louisburg is also home to the Franklin County campus for Vance-Granville Community College, providing college-track programs, continuing education, and technical and vocational training. More than 35 institutions of higher education are available within a two-hour drive from Franklin County, and three world-class research universities are less than an hour away: Duke University in Durham, North Carolina State University in Raleigh, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Lifestyle
Franklin County invites newcomers to enjoy the panoramic countryside, to travel along backroads and sample fresh goat cheese, or stroll down historic districts and enjoy artists’ studios and sidewalk cafes. The pace is slower and the handshakes are firmer in Franklin County, at a pleasing distance from urban traffic and crowds. At the same time, residents are ideally situated to access world-class cultural performances, regional entertainment, sports events, and thriving employment centers from their serene Franklin County home. The housing choices in this region range from historic properties and well-kept older homes in the heart of charming towns to contemporary construction, quaint farmhouses, country manors, and multi-acre estate properties. One of the magnets to Franklin County is the favorable real estate market where “more home for the money” is still the rule. Local clubs and organizations, school activities, recreation program sports leagues, and colorful annual events are all important parts of the close-knit lifestyle in Franklin County communities.
Residents enjoy access to golf courses, athletic and sports fields, hunting and fishing areas, and water sports close to home. Franklin County offers a number of developed recreational programs for adults, children and toddlers. The county also manages regional parks in the Franklinton area with picnic facilities, a playground, a walking track, and athletic fields. Shopping is available in a medley of retail centers or one-of-a-kind shops, while quaint bed and breakfast inns and wonderful restaurants dot the landscape. Some attractions are unique to Franklin County, including Hill Ridge Farms in Youngsville, touted as the Triangle’s top destination for old-fashioned family fun and field trips featuring hay rides, train rides, picnics, parties, and family outings. Town Hall Theatre in Centerville is a regional treasure, inspiring personal growth in young people and creating shared performing arts experiences for families. The private two-year Louisburg College is another distinction, the oldest junior college in the nation. Franklin County residents are also within an hour’s drive from the world-renowned Research Triangle Park and the vibrant cities of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill as well as outstanding museums, performing arts, and entertainment venues. Little wonder that so many people prefer to return home at the end of the day to the rural tranquility of picturesque Franklin County.
Bunn
Town Offices
919-496-2992
https://townofbunn.org/
Chamber of Commerce
919-496-3056
https://www.franklin-chamber.org/
Located at the intersection of State Highways 39 and 98 in southeastern Franklin County, the small town of Bunn is a turn-of-the-century village chartered in 1913 that offers a warm and friendly small-town atmosphere. Many of the homes in this rural area contrast with the rich sense of history, offering the finest in contemporary architecture and amenities. The housing in Bunn ranges from well-kept older properties to modest contemporary homes and handsome subdivisions like Osprey Hills with its fine custom homes on multi-acre lots. Residents enjoy a close-knit community spirit and family-oriented atmosphere where local organizations and activities play an important part of daily life. World-class cultural, entertainment, educational, healthcare, and employment resources and opportunities are available within a reasonable commute from this charming little town.
Centerville
Town Offices
919-853-3164
Chamber of Commerce
919-496-3056
https://www.franklin-chamber.org/
The small town of Centerville exemplifies the unique appeal of Franklin County, home to a number of distinctive attractions. The Town Hall Theatre in historic Washington Township Hall on Main Street was originally built for town meetings, graduations, and Grange activities. Today, this historic landmark serves as a first-rate performing arts center, renovated and refurbished to offer performing space, lobby, rehearsal areas, a dance studio, and a scene shop. Professionally trained artists share their craft and seek out new plays that speak directly to young people. This regional jewel reaches an annual audience of more than 20,000 and involved more than 400 community volunteers in every facet of production. This wonderful cultural attraction exemplifies the attraction of Centerville and all the small towns in Franklin County, where reverence for yesterday harmonizes with the finest of modern living in a family friendly atmosphere that excels in quality of life.
Franklinton
Town Hall
919-494-2520
https://www.franklintonnc.us/
Chamber of Commerce
919-496-3056
https://www.franklin-chamber.org/
Located just off US Highway 1, the small town of Franklinton was incorporated in 1872. While residents enjoy the quiet and simple pleasures of a rural setting, the town leadership is progressive and services are efficient. With its lovely country atmosphere and panoramic location along the Tar River, the town was selected as the site of the Franklinton County Park and nearby Moose Lodge Park. The park-like riverfront is especially popular for outdoor celebrations and gatherings like the PreddyFest Bluegrass Festival. Raleigh is less than a 20-minute drive, and many outstanding regional employment centers are within a reasonable commuting distance. Residents also have the opportunity to enjoy world-class cultural enrichment, popular entertainment venues, upscale shopping in elegant malls, and three celebrated research universities in close proximity to their quiet country home in Franklin County. The housing options are attractive and affordable, from well-kept older properties to country manors and custom builds on multi-acre sites.
Louisburg
Town Offices
919-496-4145
https://townoflouisburg.org/
Chamber of Commerce
919-496-3056
https://www.franklin-chamber.org/
Serving as the seat of county government and the hub of education and healthcare for Franklin County residents, the town of Louisburg was established in 1779. Louisburg College is equally historic, providing a private, residential, junior college environment for more than 220 years. The town houses the Franklin County campus for Vance-Granville Community College and Franklin County Medical Center. Residents have the benefit of small-town living within an easy commute of the Triangle area’s finest resources and amenities, including cultural enrichment and popular entertainment venues. Local parks including a skate park in this family friendly atmosphere, where the parks and recreation department sponsors baseball, softball, basketball, and soccer programs. Newcomers will find a charming village setting graced by natural beauty along the banks of the Tar River.
Youngsville
Town Offices
919-556-5073
https://www.townofyoungsville.org/
Chamber of Commerce
919-496-3056
https://www.franklin-chamber.org/
Originally named “Pacific” for its peaceful surroundings when it was established in 1848, the town was renamed Youngsville when it incorporated in 1875 to honor the family who donated land for the railroad train depot. This historic community preserves the stately brick buildings that once houses cotton and tobacco market industries, and they house several thriving businesses. Youngsville is located in the extreme southwestern part of Franklin County contiguous to US Highway 1 and Highway 96, adjacent to Wake County and Raleigh. Rich in history and brimming over with promise, this wonderful town enjoys a strategic location in the prosperous Triangle area. Brisk regional growth has driven development in Youngsville, but the town has managed to retain the rural charm that makes it so appealing to new residents and new businesses alike. The rural attraction of Hill Ridge Farms in Youngsville draws crowds from across the region to old-fashioned fun with field trips, hay rides, train rides, picnics, parties, and family outings.
