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Franklin County, Texas facts for kids

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Franklin County
The Franklin County Courthouse in Mount Vernon in 2018
The Franklin County Courthouse in Mount Vernon in 2018
Map of Texas highlighting Franklin County
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Map of the United States highlighting Texas
Texas's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Texas
Founded March, 1875
Seat Mount Vernon
Largest town Mount Vernon
Area
 • Total 295 sq mi (760 km2)
 • Land 284 sq mi (740 km2)
 • Water 10 sq mi (30 km2)  3.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 10,359
 • Density 35.12/sq mi (13.558/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 1st

Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 10,359. The county seat is Mount Vernon.

History

Franklin County was erected and established in 1875, four decades after the independence of Texas, from land ceded by neighboring Titus County. Although the origin of the county's name is not recorded, it is generally believed to have been named after Judge Benjamin C. Franklin, the first appointed justice in the Republic of Texas.

There are two historic properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Franklin County.

Franklin County was one of the last 30 prohibition, or entirely dry, counties in the state of Texas. Citizens of its county seat, Mount Vernon, voted to allow beer and wine sales, both on and off premises in May 2013.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 295 square miles (760 km2), of which 284 square miles (740 km2) is land and 10 square miles (26 km2) (3.5%) is water.

Major highways

  • I-30 (TX).svg Interstate 30
  • US 67.svg U.S. Highway 67
  • US 271.svg U.S. Highway 271
  • Texas 11.svg State Highway 11
  • Texas 37.svg State Highway 37

Adjacent counties

Communities

City

Town

Unincorporated communities

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 5,280
1890 6,481 22.7%
1900 8,674 33.8%
1910 9,331 7.6%
1920 9,304 −0.3%
1930 8,494 −8.7%
1940 8,378 −1.4%
1950 6,257 −25.3%
1960 5,101 −18.5%
1970 5,291 3.7%
1980 6,893 30.3%
1990 7,802 13.2%
2000 9,458 21.2%
2010 10,605 12.1%
2020 10,359 −2.3%
U.S. Decennial Census
1850–2010 2010–2020
Demographic Profile of Franklin County, Texas
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2010 Pop 2020 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 8,601 7,786 81.10% 76.03%
Black or African American alone (NH) 411 394 3.88% 3.80%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 65 39 0.61% 0.38%
Asian alone (NH) 49 68 0.46% 0.66%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 6 0.00% 0.06%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 9 61 0.08% 0.59%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 137 460 1.29% 4.44%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1,333 1,455 12.57% 14.05%
Total 10,605 10,359 100.00% 100.00%

Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

At the 2000 U.S. census, there were 9,458 people, 3,754 households, and 2,732 families residing in the county. The population density was 33 people per square mile (13 people/km2). There were 5,132 housing units at an average density of 18 units per square mile (6.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 89.19% White, 3.94% Black or African American, 0.63% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 5.14% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. 8.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. In 2020, the population was 10,359 and its racial and ethnic makeup was 76.03% non-Hispanic white, 3.80% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.59% some other race, 4.44% multiracial, and 14.05% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the county was $31,955, and the median income for a family was $37,064. Males had a median income of $28,806 versus $19,361 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,563. About 12.50% of families and 15.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.20% of those under age 18 and 12.30% of those age 65 or over. The median household income at the 2020 census increased to $59,632; the mean income was $82,203.

Economy

According to a study ordered by the Mount Vernon Economic Development Corporation in 2013, the local retail trade area population is 12,771 people. The county has 720 homes valued at $200,000 or more, 70 homes of $500,000 or more, and 72 homes valued at more than $1,000,000. Most of these homes are centered on Lake Cypress Springs, which was twice voted the Most Beautiful Lake in Texas by the readers of Dallas' "D" magazine (2005, 2010). The lake is located about 10 miles south of Mount Vernon. The EDC study determined the average sale price of lakefront property on Lake Cypress Springs (2012) was $484,000, with 91 percent of the 1,400 water-front homes being second residences. This concentration of second residences causes the population of the county to increase between 3,000 and 8,000 people on weekends and during holidays, according to estimates by the Franklin County Water District, which oversees the lake and its visitors.

Education

The following school districts serve Franklin County:

  • Mount Vernon ISD
  • Rivercrest ISD (partly in Red River, Titus counties)
  • Saltillo ISD (mostly in Hopkins County)
  • Sulphur Bluff ISD (mostly in Hopkins County)
  • Winnsboro ISD (mostly in Wood County, small portion in Hopkins County)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Franklin (Texas) para niños

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