Happy TravellerWelcome to Franklin, a charming suburb of Milwaukee located in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. With a population of 36,816 as of the 2020 census, Franklin is a thriving community with a rich history, beautiful natural surroundings, and a vibrant local culture. Join us as we explore all that this wonderful city has to offer.
== History ==
Franklin was founded on December 20, 1839, when the south portion of the Town of Kinnikinick was split off to form the town of Franklin. The town was originally covered with heavy timber, mostly hardwoods such as hickory, walnut, and butternut, and was home to an abundance of wildlife including bears, deer, and wolves. The town was named in honor of Benjamin Franklin. By the 1950s, Franklin had become known as a City of Homes for its growing residential areas, which served as a suburb of Milwaukee. In 1956, the town was incorporated as a fourth-class city in response to concerns that the city of Milwaukee might attempt to annex portions of Franklin.
== Geography ==
Franklin is located at 42°53′57″N 88°00′08″W (42.899166, −88.002204) and is bounded by the city of Oak Creek to the east, the villages of Greendale and Hales Corners and the city of Greenfield to the north, the county of Racine to the south, and the county of Waukesha to the west. The city has a total area of 34.69 square miles (89.85 km2), of which 34.58 square miles (89.56 km2) is land and 0.11 square miles (0.28 km2) is water. The Root River runs south through Franklin, cutting the city in half.
== Climate ==
Franklin has a humid continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. The average temperature in January is 20°F (-6°C), while the average temperature in July is 72°F (22°C).
== Demographics ==
As of the 2010 census, there were 35,451 people, 13,642 households, and 9,351 families living in the city. The population density was 1,025.2 inhabitants per square mile (395.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 87.1% White, 4.9% African American, 0.4% Native American, 5.4% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.5% of the population. The median age in the city was 41.5 years.
== Government ==
Franklin government consists of a mayor (executive branch), a common council (legislative branch), and a municipal judge (judicial branch). The Common Council is composed of the mayor and six members representing the six aldermanic districts, serving three-year overlapping terms. The mayor of the city, elected for a three-year term of office, is the chief executive officer of the city. The mayor oversees the police and fire departments; nominates the appointment of certain city employees, board and commission members to the council; and is chairman of the Plan Commission and the Community Development Authority.
== Transportation ==
Franklin is located just four miles (6 km) from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport and is close to Interstate 94. Running through the city are U.S. Highway 45, and WIS 36, WIS 100, and WIS 241.
== Education ==
The majority of Franklin primary and secondary students attend schools in the Franklin Public School District, which was formed in 1962 as a K–12 common school district. Franklin has five elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. The Oak Creek-Franklin School District serves residents of the far eastern side of Franklin, along 27th street. The Whitnall School District, which serves primarily the neighboring village of Hales Corners and parts of the city of Greenfield, serves Franklin residents residing on the city’s far northwest side.
== Economy ==
The top employers in Franklin include Northwestern Mutual, Rockwell Automation, and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare. The city is also home to a number of small businesses and local shops.
== Environmental concerns ==
Franklin is home to one of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund sites, the Fadrowski Drum Disposal Site. The 40-acre (160,000 m2) site was found to be contaminated with high amounts of lead and chromium, as well as trace amounts of arsenic and DDT. The site has been largely remediated via landfill and limited excavation, however waste material above health-based levels was left on site. The site is currently under a monitoring status, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reviewing the site every five years.
== Rankings ==
In July 2007, CNN/Money and Money magazine ranked Franklin the 90th best place to live in the United States.
== Notable people ==
Notable people from Franklin include professional wrestler Eric Bugenhagen, Wisconsin Secretary of State Peter Doyle, state senator and representative Michael Egan
