$403,804Average Value$226Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
A country town in the middle of nowhere but close to everything
Seafood shacks and shipyards may be familiar sights in coastal New England, but in Franklin, a rural town between Norwich and Willimantic, cows and tractors are as commonplace as street signs. “It’s very country,” says Realtor Dale Bunn, owner-partner of Riverview Realty LLC, who’s lived in Norwich since 2002. With a population density of one person per acre of land, it’s easy to see how Bunn can compare living in Franklin to "The Waltons," a ’70s TV show about a multi-generational family living in the mountains. “It’s a laid-back farming community where everyone knows each other,” he says. “It’s like you’re out in the middle of nowhere but close to everything.” Franklin is only 10 miles from Downtown Norwich and even less from Willimantic. “In Franklin, stress and traffic are not issues,” says Realtor Don Miller with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England. Miller wound up in Connecticut after his time in the U.S. Navy and has been selling homes in the area for the past 17 years. “It’s very picturesque and a cool place to raise a family. Just make sure you have a cornhole set. It’s a big deal here.”
Suburban homes line rural routes in Franklin
While one might think homes in Franklin are limited to older farmhouses, most are suburban homes on half an acre or more of land. Ranch-style houses are the most common, often featuring attached garages and open floor plans; they list for between $300,000 and $450,000. Raised ranches are another popular variety, priced similarly. Colonials, some built in the 1800s, are usually roomier, with four or more bedrooms for larger families, and sell for $350,000 to $500,000. Farmhouses with large acreages also make it on the market, many with multiple buildings and stables, pastures and paddocks for horses. Farm properties are priced between $450,000 and $825,000 in Franklin.
From sports fields to natural preserves and championship golf
The community has access to a playground, basketball hoops, baseball and soccer fields and a running track at Franklin Elementary School. Across Route 207, Giddings Park features more sports facilities, including tennis courts, and Franklin Veteran’s Park next door has a baseball diamond. Farther west off 207, Ayers Gap is a rugged nature preserve where Baily Brook flows over exposed rock outcroppings that create a waterfall and a gorge known as Bailey’s Ravine. Sprague Land Preserve is a vast property encompassing tributaries of the Shetucket River. Visitors can explore the 11 miles of hiking trails on foot or mountain bike. The preserve is next to the Mohegan Sun Golf Club, part of the Mohegan Sun Casino south of Norwich. The club offers military rates on its championship course, a pro shop and an on-site restaurant.
Small-town shopping and attractions in Franklin
Restaurants in Franklin are scattered across Route 32, the Franklin Turnpike. At the southern end, Emely’s Pizza serves more than Italian pies. It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers dishes that cover all three, including Mexican food. The Ashbel Woodward Museum is just up the road. It is the town’s history repository and sponsors events like Victorian Tea and Historic Sewing: How to Make an 18th-Century Shift. Another local museum is the Blue Slope County Museum, which houses farming and household artifacts from the 17th through the 20th Century. Visitors can also enjoy square dancing on the weekends during the summer. In North Franklin, Meyer’s Crazy Hollow Creamery serves over 20 flavors of ice cream and eight soft-serve varieties, hand-made on the premises. Next door, Egg and Cheese is a small counter-service breakfast and lunch spot where customers can take their food home or sit at picnic tables outside to enjoy their meals. “For more shopping options, you have to head south to Norwich or north to Willimantic,” Miller says. “East Brook Mall has a Big Y World Class Market and a dozen other stores. You can also catch a UCONN Huskies basketball game a little farther north in Storrs.”
A festival and farmers markets in Lebanon
The neighborhood town of Lebanon, only 7 miles west of Franklin, hosts the Connecticut Renaissance Faire, a 16th-century harvest festival that takes place on weekends from the end of August through October. Lebanon also hosts a farmers market at the town green on Saturday mornings from June to October. Over 20 vendors participate in the market, and a changing list of local musicians perform.
Above-average educational choices in Franklin
The schools that serve Franklin include Franklin Elementary, a PK-8 school that received a B-plus from Niche. In 2020, Franklin Elementary received a School of Distinction honor from Connecticut’s Department of Education for improved math skills. With no local high school, Franklin students can choose from several area public and private schools, such as Norwich Technical High School, B-rated by Niche, which enrolls nearly 700 students from 48 towns and offers career preparation in graphic design and digital media, health technology, carpentry, biotechnology and several other fields.
Public transit near Franklin
Because Franklin is mostly rural, residents need a car to get around. The closest Amtrak station is in New London, 20 miles south, and the closest airports are Bradley International Airport in Hartford and Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in Providence, both 50 miles away. Route 32 is the main road that runs north-south through Franklin, which connects with Route 2 and Interstate 395 south of town in Norwich and South Windham and Willimantic to the north.
Franklin flooding risk and crime score
Homes in Franklin are most susceptible to flooding the closer they are to brooks and ponds that cut through the town. Most areas where flooding occurs are undeveloped, although parts of Route 32 near Cold Brook in the northern part of town can see mild flooding and Pond Drive in the middle of town is bordered by Gagers Pond, Beaver Brook and Bailey Brook, all of which can produce flooding. On the other hand, Franklin receives a crime score of 1 out of 10 from CAP Index, the lowest possible score. The national average is 4.
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jacqueline Kapusta,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Lebanon Town Green
Norwich Recreation Department
Sprague River Park
High Street Playground
Ouellette park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Franklin
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Franklin, Norwich sell after 48 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Franklin, Norwich over the last 12 months is $385,473, up 9% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Opportunity awaits with this Cape-style home, set on a picturesque .9-acre lot in a tranquil country setting. Offering just over 1,000 square feet of living space, this property features 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, and a detached 1-car garage with an enclosed porch. A spacious deck overlooks the backyard, providing the perfect spot to enjoy the peaceful surroundings. The large driveway offers
Property is currently being renovated now that tenant has moved out. In process is new roof, refinished hardwood floors, complete bathroom remodel, freshly painted interior and exterior, freshening up the basement. This property will be turn key once work is completed. Property is zoned as C-2 Commercially zoned. Currently being used as a four bedroom 1 bath Residential property but is in a
1.41 acres of C-1 zoned flat land. 210 feet of road frontage with a 9,100 traffic count. Possible Uses: Retail, Repair Shop Bank, Restaurants, Personal Services, Nurseries
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jacqueline Kapusta,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,723
Median Age
48
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
20.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$98,940
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$110,609
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
94.1%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
29.3%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
16.2%
% Population in Labor Force
68.7%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
10/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
7/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
