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Franklin

Franklin

Located in Norfolk County

$703,429 Average Value
$350 Average Price per Sq Ft
7 Homes For Sale

Ben Franklin’s namesake town

Franklin, Massachusetts, named after Benjamin Franklin, is the birthplace of public education and the home of America’s first public library. The suburban area of about 33,000 residents sits 40 miles from Boston, 40 from Worcester and 30 from Providence. Though Franklin has grown over the years, it has maintained a small-town feel, with a modest downtown district and long-established traditions, like the Annual Harvest Festival. “When I first moved there, it had a strong community. Everybody knew each other, families were there for years, and if you didn’t know so and so, you knew their sister,” says Realtor Kim Kimball with Costello Realty. “It’s gotten bigger over the last 30 years, and there are a lot more people who use it for commuting to the city, whether it’s Worcester or Boston.”

Franklin is the location of the first public library in the country.
Franklin is the location of the first public library in the country.
Residents of Franklin would share they feel a strong sense of community
Residents of Franklin would share they feel a strong sense of community
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Strong schools with Division 1 sports

Franklin Public School District scores an A on Niche. High school students can apply for the Franklin Arts Academy, a three-year educational pathway focused on arts integration. Athletes can participate in Division 1 sports, regulated by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association. “It’s a very competitive town,” Kimball says. “I sold a five-bedroom house here to someone who said his wife was going to be working out of Boston, but he wanted a D1 school for his boys.” For higher education, Dean College, a private, four-year university, operates out of Franklin, as well.

Franklin High School in Franklin received an overall score of A- on niche.
Franklin High School in Franklin received an overall score of A- on niche.
Annie Sullivan Middle School in Franklin provides a supportive and empowering learning.
Annie Sullivan Middle School in Franklin provides a supportive and empowering learning.
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A quieter home base than towns closer to Boston

Streetscapes in Franklin typically consist of paved sidewalks, grassy front lawns and deciduous trees. “People like that they can get a suburban life and still be close to the city,” Kimball says. Homes were primarily built in the late-19th and early-20th centuries, in styles including colonials, raised ranch-style houses and bungalows. Alternatively, buyers may find townhouses and condo buildings. The median price sits at about $655,000, which is higher than the national average.

A stunning garrison colonial home in  Franklin.
A stunning garrison colonial home in Franklin.
Patriotic homes on the Common can be found in Franklin.
Patriotic homes on the Common can be found in Franklin.
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A night at the theater and the Annual Harvest Festival

Franklin residents have plenty of activities to choose from both in Boston and closer to home. The Black Box performing arts theater and the Dean College Main Stage Theater host plays and live musical performances. Students at the Franklin School of Performing Arts also put on productions, including The Nutcracker.


Apart from holiday gatherings, the Franklin Porchfest and seasonal farmers markets, the town’s largest event is the Annual Harvest Festival. The event brings the community together for crafts, food, shopping and entertainment. Folks can go on a hayride, decorate pumpkins or peruse the dozens of booths, set up by local businesses and organizations.

Four seasons of activities on the Southern New England Trunkline Trail

Franklin offers outdoor activities on both land and water. The Franklin State Forest spans about 800 acres and features miles of hiking trails through the woods. Locals can explore the ponds at the DelCarte Conservation Area, which has a playground and boat launches. The Southern New England Trunkline Trail runs through Franklin, connecting it with five other nearby towns. People hike and ride bikes on the rail trail during the warmer months and swap their sneakers for cross-country skis in the winter.

Franklin State Forest covers 843 acres for residents to hike, mountain bike and dirt bike.
Franklin State Forest covers 843 acres for residents to hike, mountain bike and dirt bike.
Franklin residents enjoy walking the Souther New England Trunkline Trail.
Franklin residents enjoy walking the Souther New England Trunkline Trail.
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Locally owned businesses on Main Street

Main Street’s aged brick and stone buildings feature cafes, restaurants and shops in a small downtown area. Shopping centers off West Central Street have big-box grocery options, and the closest Walmart is about 5 miles away in Bellingham.

Visit Birchwood Cafe in Franklin for great ambiance, friendly staff, and incredible food.
Visit Birchwood Cafe in Franklin for great ambiance, friendly staff, and incredible food.
Visit I Have Coins and Collectibles in Franklin and peruse the incredible collection.
Visit I Have Coins and Collectibles in Franklin and peruse the incredible collection.
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One-hour rides into South Station

Interstate 495 cuts through Franklin and connects to towns all the way toward Cape Cod. Folks can reach Boston in an hour by taking I-495 to the Massachusetts Turnpike, and Worcester is also a 45-minute drive away. Greater Attleboro and Taunton Regional Transit Authority buses stop throughout town, and the commuter rails out of Franklin reach Boston’s South Station in about an hour.

Centrally located Franklin Station makes commuting into Boston quick and easy.
Centrally located Franklin Station makes commuting into Boston quick and easy.
Franklin commuters can easily access I-495.
Franklin commuters can easily access I-495.
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Lower crime rates than the state and snowy winters

According to Massachusetts Crime Statistics, the overall crime rate in Franklin is lower than the statewide rate. Between 2022 and 2023, overall crime dropped by nearly 15%.


Similar to all of New England, Franklin winters can get snowy. Residents are required to shovel their sidewalks within 12 hours of snowfall.

Grace Pitney
Written By
Grace Pitney
Colin Gee
Photography Contributed By
Colin Gee
Brandon Flash Craigie
Video By
Brandon Flash Craigie

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Caroline Molla, an experienced agent in this area.

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Franklin Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$609,900
Median Sale Price
$620,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$1,225,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$630,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$613,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
-3%
Last 12 months Home Sales
75
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
5%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$350

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
2,892
Number of Homes for Sale
7
Median Year Built
1982
Months of Supply
1.10
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,165
Above the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,220
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,255
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
671
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
21,780

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Aug 2
    11am - 1pm

    117 Stone Ridge Rd, Franklin, MA 02038

    $559,900

    • 2 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 2,111 Sq Ft
    • 117 Stone Ridge Rd
    • New 1 day ago

    Amazing location! Close to everything.... Rt 495, the T station, Shopping plazas, restaurants, in one of Massachusetts safest towns! This unit has all the extras that you could want...End unit with plenty of yard space, finished basement with brand new wall to wall carpet and paint with still some room for storage, garage access direct from unit, a third floor with a huge loft space great for a

    Kim Kimball Kimball Property Realty Inc.

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  • Saturday, Aug 2
    12 - 1:30pm

    60 Pine St, Franklin, MA 02038

    $549,900

    • 4 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,536 Sq Ft
    • 60 Pine St
    • New 2 days ago

    Welcome to this impressive Hip Roof Colonial with farmers porch sitting on a gorgeous corner lot with manicured perennial flower gardens to sit and enjoy! This home offers a sunny kitchen w/ newer flooring, granite countertops & gas cooking. The first floor also offers a front family room & living room and/or office. A well designed full bath was added on the first floor with tile flooring,

    Nancy Maiorana Suburban Lifestyle Real Estate

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  • Saturday, Aug 2
    12 - 2pm

    561 Lincoln St, Franklin, MA 02038

    $535,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,060 Sq Ft
    • 561 Lincoln St
    • New 2 days ago

    Built and occupied by the same family since 1962! Set among properties of much higher value, this home is conveniently located close to town, train, shopping and schools. The main level has a wood stove fireplace in the living room, an eat-in kitchen, mudroom with laundry plus access to the deck and gardens and four bedrooms plus two baths. Above the two car garage is a separately metered

    Barbara Shea Shea Realty Group

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Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Franklin Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
32,903
Median Age
42
Population Density
89 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$138,700
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$159,890

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97.5%
College Graduates
54.7%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
23.6%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
74.4%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
51''
Average Winter Low Temperature
19°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
14''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®®

38 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®®

52 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Franklin
Caroline Molla
Costello Realty
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