Franklin is a growing suburb in the Chicago-Milwaukee Interstate 94 corridor, notably named after Benjamin Franklin. He isn't connected to the area, but locals say the city is named after Franklin to honor him as one of the nation's founders. The city's population has grown more than 10% since 2000, the highest growth rate of all of southeastern Wisconsin's cities. Now, with more than 35,000 residents, Franklin focuses on industry. Carma Labs, the manufacturer behind Carmex, has been headquartered in Franklin since 1976. The company recently received over $1.81 million in tax incremental financing to expand. The city also welcomed Saputo Cheese USA Inc., whose processing facility created over 550 new jobs, making it one of Franklin's largest employers. Close highways keep people connected to larger cities and commercial hubs like Milwaukee, Chicago and Madison.
Named after Benjamin Franklin, the city of Franklin offers a blend of rural and suburban living.
Saputo Cheese is one of the many new businesses in Franklin.
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Leafy neighborhoods and classic American architecture
Franklin is a bedroom community with ranch-style, Cape Cod, New Traditional and Colonial-inspired single-family homes. A few small subdivisions and condominium communities feature entirely custom architecture. The city's median home price is $405,000, even with the national median. Neighborhoods are leafy and inviting, with green manicured lawns, mature trees and basketball hoops overlooking driveways. Sidewalks are uncommon, although a few larger roads have them.
Farmhouse-style homes are prevalent in Franklin.
The Franklin community is peaceful with gorgeous homes.
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Watching the Milkmen at The Rock
Outdoor recreation is a favorite pastime in Franklin. The area's rolling hills support the southern portion of the Root River Parkway, a 15-mile-long, county-owned greenway. Kayla's Playground at Franklin Woods offers an accessible, all-inclusive playground that 1,500 volunteers built in just nine days. Ballpark Commons is home to Franklin Field and The Rock, two multi-purpose entertainment spaces. "The Rock has been a big draw. A lot of people go there to see outdoor movies in the summertime or Christmas lights during their winter exhibit," Jennifer Loeffel, director at the Franklin Public Library. It's also where the Milwaukee Milkmen play for thousands of baseball fans, and people enjoy skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing on Crystal Ridge.
Franklin Field is home to the Milkmen baseball team and winter activities during the holidays.
Kayla's Playground Entrance at Franklin Woods Nature Center has a colorful entrance.
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Growing restaurant options and tax-supported business parks
Franklin lacks an official downtown, so small shopping centers are scattered around the city. Locally owned eateries have slowly increased, adding more diversity to the city's culinary scene. "There was a time where if you wanted food, you only had Taco Bell or McDonalds," Leoffel says. However, most people travel to neighboring cities to shop. Drexel Town Square and Southridge Mall are about 3 miles away, offering various nationally recognized stores.
While commercial options are limited, the city does have five business and industrial parks. Most corporate offices, industrial headquarters and manufacturing warehouses are located in these tax incremental financing districts.
From Franklin, come to BelAir Cantina in Drexel Square for the best tacos around.
Franklin has five business parks which bring many companies to the area.
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Three districts teach Franklin students
The Franklin Public School District serves the center portion of the city. The district has an A on Niche, ranking third-best out of 21 Milwaukee County districts. The rest of the city attends either the Oak Creek/Franklin Joint School District or the Whitnall School District. Oak Creek has an A-minus rating, while Whitnall has a B-plus. Among the city's private options is the Indian Community School. This faith-based kindergarten through 8th-grade school serves the area's Native American community, with over 40 Native Nations represented.
Franklin High School serves the students of Franklin, WI.
Indian Community School provides education to the local native American community surrounding Franklin.
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Major intersection connects to several nearby interstates
The city has low-traffic residential roads, but a few main thoroughfares pass through Franklin. Wisconsin State Routes 36 and 100 create the city's largest intersection, connecting with Highway 45, Interstate 43 and Interstate 94/41 in a few miles. Milwaukee County Transit System bus stops are along Route 241, and Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is about 8 miles away.
Merchants and farmers at St. Martins Labor Day Fair
Franklin hosts a few events throughout the year, including celebrating Arbor Day by handing out free tree saplings and organizing a citywide cleanup. Summers mean free concerts at Lions Legend Park, and Labor Day weekend brings a huge two-day farmers market. Every Halloween, the Frankin Public Library partners with the health department to host an annual Trunk or Treat. "It's a big event. It brings in like 1,500 people," Loeffel says.
Low crime, low flooding, high humidity
The FBI reports that Franklin's property and violent crime rates are substantially lower than the national rates. The Franklin Police Department corroborates this in its 2023 annual report, documenting a noticeable decrease between 2022 and 2023.
Franklin summers are usually moderate, but humidity can get high, causing muggy conditions. Winters are snowy, with lots of wind and cloudy skies. Root River flooding occasionally causes road closures, but significant damage is rare.
Written By
Isabel Butler
Photography Contributed By
Richard Ebbers
Video By
Derek Fowler
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Franklin, WI sell after 20 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Franklin, WI over the last 12 months is $426,250, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Welcome to this impressive custom designed executive 4BR/4BA luxury condo with almost 4,000 sq ft on the 7th fairway of Tuckaway Country Club. Dramatic ceilings, custom Brazilian cherry inlay floors, & walls of glass open to 3 covered outdoor spaces with serene views of the 7th hole. The chef's kitchen offers granite flooring, tall cabinetry, & premium GE Monogram appliances including built-in
The Schmidt Group*Keller Williams Realty-Milwaukee Southwest
Welcome to this beautifully maintained 2-bedroom, 2-bath upper-level condo with a private entrance and a flexible room, perfect as a 3rd bedroom, home office, or guest space. Enjoy the open-concept layout with a cozy living room featuring a gas fireplace, which flows into the dining area and kitchen. A breakfast bar adds function and style. You'll love the split bedroom floor plan, with the
Welcome to your new home in a highly sought after Franklin neighborhood. This meticulously maintained 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom property offers a perfect blend of comfort, style, and functionality. This well-maintained property features a bright open layout, spacious living room with wood fireplace, and an updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances and stone countertops. Upstairs, the primary
Rare 13-acre parcel in Franklin offering 3.5 acres immediately buildable outside the floodplain. The balance of the property features mature woodlands, wetlands, and a drainageway that create natural beauty and privacy. Highlights include high-visibility frontage on Rawson Avenue, quick access to I-94, Ballpark Commons, Franklin Field, and the future City Center, plus nearby municipal water and
This 3-bedroom, 2-bath ranch in Franklin's Hidden Lakes subdivision offers comfort, open living spaces, and a prime location. Vaulted ceilings elevate the spacious living/dining room, with sliding glass doors opening to a patio in the fenced backyard. Another patio is accessible from the private master suite featuring spacious double closets and an ensuite bath with walk-in shower. The eat-in
Seasons embodies the evolution of luxury suburban living by providing an exceptional location blended with a wide array of high end amenities and finishes tailored to suit your lifestyle. Located in a park like setting, Seasons at Franklin has a true suburban feel with the convenience of city life only minutes away.
Beautiful Colonial with room to roam! Desirable Franklin School District...2.5 car attached Garage...All Appliances Included. Call today Lawn Care Included in the Rent. Seller is negotiable with Lease Term. ''Other'' room upstairs is a Sitting Room.Available 09/01/2025 Seller has installed an electric vehicle plug in garage. There is a back up generator.
Upscale Living in Our Franklin Apartments in MilwaukeeWelcome to Velo Village Apartments, a community that was built not only for the adventurous, the driven, and the fun lovers it was created with your wishes in mind, regardless of your personal style. Come revel in the comforts of our apartments in Franklin, WI, where individuality is part of the design, and make wonderful connections
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