Franklin is a North Carolina town surrounded by mountain views
The small Macon County town of Franklin sits near the southwestern tip of North Carolina, deep within the Blue Ridge Mountains. “It’s one of the most beautiful places there is,” says Amie Owens, Franklin’s town manager. “More people are coming to this region because it offers a slower-paced lifestyle.” Blue mountain peaks of the Appalachian range can be seen from Main Street downtown, and nearly 600 miles of hiking trails cross through the surrounding Nantahala National Forest. The Little Tennessee River flows through the community, offering more natural beauty. Along with its Cherokee and Scottish heritage, Franklin was once known as the Gem Capital of the World for its ruby and sapphire mining history dating to the 1870s. Tourists and the town’s nearly 4,200 residents still enjoy mining for gems recreationally today, and many make their finds into jewelry with the help of local artisans. Along with tourism, Franklin’s economy is largely based on construction-related trades, which include flooring manufacturers and steel fabricators.
Residents of Franklin know why the local mountains are referred to as the Blue Ridge.
Franklin's downtown rea is classic America with storefront shops and great views.
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A range of home styles for less than the national median
The median price for a single-family home in Franklin is around $320,000, well below the national median. Properties typically stay on the market for about 49 days, on par with the national average. Midcentury ranch-style homes and two-story cottages comprise most of the housing stock. However, East Franklin features late 20th-century manufactured homes close to the Little Tennessee River, and the Brookwood Heights neighborhood on the far west side is known for its custom creations with mountain views.
Large new builds in the Brookwood area provide Franklin residents spacious homes with amazing views.
Beautiful lots with plenty of room and classic ranch style homes are available all over Franklin.
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Franklin is a town for outdoorsy folks and hiking lovers
Resting in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Franklin puts hikers in reach of two well-traveled trails: the Appalachian Trail and the Bartram Trail. Signage around town welcomes AT hikers who need a rest and a restock. While gem mining is the big to-do at the various mines north and south of town, Franklin’s most popular attraction within the town limits is the Tennessee River Greenway. Paralleling its namesake river, the greenway offers 5 miles of paved path that passes by wetlands, a butterfly garden and Big Bear Park, which features a large playground and splash pad. Volunteers with Friends of the Greenway help maintain the trail and fundraise for future updates. Their Frog Quarters lodge anchors the trailhead and offers coffee and local art. Tassee Park offers a kayak launch for paddling up the river. The 12-acre Whitmire Property hosts a small disc golf course and Franklin Skate Park, which features a half-pipe and various concrete obstacles. Owens says the town plans to add an amphitheater and trails to the property. Other green spaces dot the community, including Franklin Town Square, which hosts downtown events, and the public Franklin Golf Course, where all 9 holes offer scenic views.
The Little Tennessee Greenway runs through the middle of Franklin offering places to walk or play.
The Little TN River Greenway has an 18 hold disc golf course in the North of Franklin.
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Vibrant downtown with popular breweries and local antique shops
Franklin's downtown is buzzing with mom-and-pop restaurants, breweries with live music, and vintage boutiques selling handmade décor and furniture. “There’s a southern hospitality vibe here. People talk to each other on the street, and there are good relationships between businesses and residents,” Owens says. Yonder, located near the town center, sells organic food curated by local vendors, while Ruby City Gems & Minerals is a longtime staple for gem mining supplies.
Downtown also hosts yearly events like PumpkinFest, Franklin’s largest street festival and autumn celebration, bringing people together with food and craft vendors. Residents can also visit one of three museums to learn more about the town’s Scottish and Native American roots. Home to the Macon County Art Association, Uptown Gallery features the works of area artists and offers classes and workshops. Live performances, from concerts to theater productions, entertain audiences at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts.
Locals and Hikers mingle downtown outside local shops and restaurants.
Ruby City Gem Museum has a fine collection of stones from all over the world as well as locally.
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Macon County Schools has a focus on STEM education
Macon County Schools serves Franklin and scores a B-plus overall rating from Niche. The district, which has over 4,400 students and 13 schools, is widely known for its STEM program, where students can participate in robotics and aviation programs and attend field trips to the Tremont Institute in Tennessee or the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Alabama. The district’s largest high school, Franklin High, earns a B rating. In 2023, Macon County Schools received a grant to construct a new Franklin High building and football stadium on the current campus. Construction began in late 2024 and is set to be completed by summer 2027.
Southwestern Community College’s Macon Campus is in Franklin. The college offers more than 40 programs. The campus in Franklin is notable for its Public Safety Training Center, which runs a first-of-its-kind training academy for rangers with the National Park Service.
Macon Middle school serves multiple areas and is located in Franklin.
Local home of the Panthers, Franklin High School is the final spot for local teens before college.
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Getting around Franklin by car or bus
Franklin's downtown is highly walkable, but the community is car-dependent overall. Several highways meet in town, including U.S. Route 23, which links Franklin to larger cities like Asheville, roughly 68 miles away. There, residents can catch flights out of Asheville Regional Airport. Macon County Transit offers fixed-route and point-to-point service to destinations such as the town square or Angel Medical Center, a full-service hospital which opened in 2022.
Important to know
As a riverside town with many creeks, Franklin has a flood risk. FEMA maps indicate that some homes and businesses rest against or within regulatory floodways and special flood hazard areas. Franklin was largely spared by Hurricane Helene in September 2024, which caused catastrophic damage to towns across western North Carolina.
According to FBI data, Franklin's property crime rate is generally on par with national and state figures. The town’s violent crime rate has remained below national numbers since 2022.
Written By
DeeVa Payne
Photography Contributed By
William Neary
Video By
Ruo Zheng
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Franklin, NC sell after 50 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Franklin, NC over the last 12 months is $290,000, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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