The Johnson County seat on the I-65 side, with Franklin College in the middle of town.
Living in Franklin
The Johnson County seat
Franklin College sits in the middle of town, and the downtown has been restored rather than replaced. It stays busier in the evening than its size suggests.
At a glance
Four things to know about Franklin
Johnson County seat
Platted in 1823, named for Benjamin Franklin, and incorporated as a city in 1861.
I-65 and US 31
I-65 exit 90 is State Road 44 at King Street. US 31 runs north to Indianapolis and south to Columbus.
Franklin College
Founded in 1834, and in 1842 the first coeducational college in Indiana.
Courthouse Square
The 1881 Johnson County Courthouse. The square and the downtown commercial district are on the National Register.
Search Franklin
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Each card opens a live MIBOR search, newest listings first. The newest Franklin listings are right below.
A mix of college-town housing near the campus and quieter residential streets further out. Youngs Creek and the creeks that feed it carry the city’s green walkways and parks the length of the town.
Jennifer works Franklin alongside eight other Central Indiana towns from her office in Shelbyville. If you want to compare it against the others, the communities page opens each one. If you are buying, the buyer’s guide walks the sequence. If you are selling in Franklin, start with a valuation.
Frequently asked
Questions about living in Franklin
Is Franklin the county seat of Johnson County?
Yes. Franklin is the county seat, and the Johnson County Courthouse, built from 1879 to 1881, stands on Courthouse Square downtown. The square was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
Which highways and I-65 exits serve Franklin?
I-65 runs east of the city, and exit 90 is State Road 44 at King Street. US 31 connects Franklin with Indianapolis and Columbus, State Road 144 runs west to Bargersville, and Franklin is about 20 miles south of Indianapolis.
Which school corporations serve Franklin?
Franklin Community School Corporation serves almost all of the city, and a small area at the far north edge lies in Clark-Pleasant Community School Corporation. Confirm the school for any address with the corporation.
What is Franklin’s history?
Franklin was platted in 1823, named after Benjamin Franklin, and incorporated as a city in 1861. Franklin College was founded there in 1834 and in 1842 became the first coeducational college in Indiana. The downtown commercial district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
Franklin resources
City of Franklin
City government, services and news.
Franklin parks
Parks, trails, the aquatic center and the recreation center.
Johnson County Public Library
The county library, with a branch in Franklin.
Franklin Community Schools
Franklin Community School Corporation.
Clark-Pleasant Schools
Clark-Pleasant Community School Corporation.
Johnson County
County offices, including the assessor and auditor.
