Southampton Township in Franklin Country has a slow pace of life
Southampton Township in Franklin County is a rural community about 8 miles from Chambersburg. “The reason most people are attracted to this area is because it’s a smaller town with a slower pace of life,” says Krista Carroll, lifelong resident and Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. “We’re not sitting at traffic lights.” In fact, locals are more likely to be stuck behind a horse-and-buggy because, according to Carroll, Southampton is “in the throes” of the Amish and Mennonite communities. The town of Shippensburg separates Southampton Township in Franklin County from its counterpart in Cumberland County.
Southampton Township in Franklin County has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Open roads and rolling fields define life in Southampton Township, a peaceful community just 8 miles from Chambersburg.
A vibrant mural celebrates Southampton Township’s heritage and rural charm—where history and artistry meet in the heart of Franklin County.
1/2
Community parks include a nature center and a historic place
Furnace Run Park is a new addition to the community. Southampton Township purchased the site in 2017 and turned it into a nature park with over 6 miles of hiking trails and a nature center that hosts family-friendly programming like educational birding tours. At Dykeman Park, walking paths pass a baseball field, two ponds and Dykeman Springs, the latter of which is on the National Register of Historic Places. “There are always ducks and geese on the ponds,” Carroll says. Dentler Village Park has a playground, a horseshoe pit and basketball and volleyball courts.
Southampton locals enjoy wildlife at Dykeman Park.
Furnace Run Park, a new addition to Southampton, has picnic tables and well-maintained trails.
1/2
Homes range from older Colonial Revivals to new bilevels
Winding roads go through acres of farmland and rolling hills in Southampton. The oldest homes include cottages and Colonial Revivals dating back to the early 1900s, and there are ranch-style houses built between the mid-20th century and early 2000s. Bilevels and New Traditional homes make up the newest additions to the township. Depending on size and condition, most homes cost $200,000 to $450,000. Larger properties generally cost $450,000 to $750,000. “I have noticed that bigger homes take longer to sell,” Carroll says. She attributes this to homeowners ensuring these more expensive homes check all their boxes. “It has to be perfect.” Manufactured homes cost $60,000 to $160,000, while townhouses near Shippensburg range from $200,000 to $300,000.
According to First Street, Southampton Township has a major risk from flooding.
Newer homes in Southampton often feature New Traditional styles.
Southampton has Colonial Revivals that date back to the early 1900s.
1/2
Students attend well-rated Shippensburg Area Schools
The Shippensburg Area School District serves Southampton Township. Kindergartners through third graders attend Nancy Grayson Elementary, which receives a B-minus from Niche. Fourth and fifth graders go to the B-rated Shippensburg Area Intermediate School. Shippensburg Area Middle scores a B-minus, while the high school earns a B. Shippensburg Area Senior High participates in Shippensburg University’s Ship Start program, where 11th and 12th graders take college courses at a discounted tuition rate. The university is about 5 miles away and has over 100 undergraduate programs.
Students prepare for college at Shippensburg Area Senior High School.
Nancy Grayson Elementary School receives a B-minus from Niche.
1/2
U.S. Route 11 and Interstate 81 lead to Chambersburg and major cities
Southampton residents rely on cars. Interstate 81 and U.S. Route 11 connect the township to Chambersburg. Harrisburg International Airport is about 55 miles away and has nonstop flights to 17 cities. “If we’re going to fly somewhere bigger, we fly out of Baltimore, but some people go to Philly,” Carroll says. Baltimore-Washington International Airport is 110 miles away, while Philadelphia International Airport is about a 150-mile drive. The closest emergency room is at WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital, about 10 miles away, but there is a WellSpan Urgent Care in Shippensburg.
Southampton residents rely on mostly on cars to get to nearby cities.
Southampton residents can take Interstate 81 and U.S. Route 11 to Chambersburg.
1/2
Residents eat at Shippensburg restaurants and shop at local farms
Locals travel to Shippensburg for a bite to eat. At Jane’s Art of Pie Cafe, the menu includes pastries, desserts and heartier dishes like chicken pot pie. Nonna Ilva is an Italian restaurant with specialty pizzas like Prosciutto e Burrata.
While Shippensburg has grocery chains like Weis Markets and Walmart, residents find local options in Southampton. Mount Rock Orchards manages one of many roadside stands with fresh fruits and veggies in the township. “There are farmstands on every road,” Carroll says. Maplewood Farm Market has a deli, greenhouse and local produce. There is also a cafe with coffee, breakfast and ready-to-eat sandwiches. Big-box stores like Target are in Chambersburg, about 8 miles away.
Nonna Ilva is an Italian restaurant with specialty pizzas in Southampton.
Shippensburg has grocery chains like Weis Markets for Southampton residents.
1/2
Written By
Zia Sampson
Photography Contributed By
Rebecca Askin
Video By
Chris Freeman
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Glenda Shull,
an experienced agent in this area.
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
**Appraised on 11/25/2025 for $1.5M** ** Be sure to click the links to see the full video to see what this property truly is about***Check out this one-of-a-kind property in Shippensburg offering the rare combination of million-dollar views, ultimate privacy, and everyday functionality. Set on 59.85+/- acres, just minutes from I-81 and the Maryland line, it feels worlds away—yet remains
Dustin PrievoWhitetail Properties Real Estate, LLC
Welcome to your dream home in the charming Forest Ridge neighborhood! This stunning 3-bedroom, 2-full-bath Cape Cod-style house offers a perfect blend of classic design and modern upgrades. The first floor features a large foyer and open floor plan, fresh paint, and luxury vinyl plank floors throughout, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere. The heart of the home is the beautiful new gourmet
Nestled deep within the heart of Michaux State Forest, this rustic off-grid cabin offers the perfect escape for those seeking solitude, outdoor adventure, or a private hunting retreat. Located just minutes from Shippensburg, PA, and within a short drive to Long Pine Run Reservoir and Caledonia State Park, the cabin is ideally situated for exploring the region’s natural beauty. Surrounded by
Shippensburg Commons Apartments is located at 228 South Fayette St. Shippensberg, PA and is professionally managed by Washco Management Corp. Shippensburg Commons Apartments offers 2 bedroom apartments of size 1320 sq.ft. Amenities include Air Conditioner, Cable Ready, Carpeting, Dishwasher and more. Property is located in the 17252 ZIP code. For more details, contact our office at (717)
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.
