You are always welcome in Franklin, NC
About Franklin
LIVE AND WORK HERENature’s wonders, history, and heritage
ABOUT FRANKLIN
Welcome to Franklin, NC
Franklin, NC Named One of the Best Places to Retire
Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, this quaint southwestern North Carolina town offers a change of pace and a never-ending supply of activities for the entire family. Franklin, NC was recently featured in Where to Retire Magazine and named one of Retirement Lifestyles Magazine’s Top 10 places to retire.
Franklin, NC is large enough to offer almost anything you need, yet small enough to offer the highest quality of life. Nature’s wonders, history and heritage, as well as other interesting and unique diversions make Franklin, NC the ideal place for a relaxing, refreshing getaway – truly the home of mountain treasures and simple pleasures.
In order to facilitate your move here, we thought it would be helpful to provide some of the following information for you.
VISITORS GUIDE
Download our helpful visitors guide.
NEED A MAP?
Helpful maps for your adventure.
LATEST WEATHER
Check the local weather forecasts
ROAD CONDITIONS
Information on the latest road conditions.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Airport
The Macon County Airport, located at 1241 Airport Road (off of NC Highway 28 and approximately 5 miles north of Franklin) has a 4,400 foot by 75 foot runway. It will accommodate VFR only, no instruments. Hours of operation are 8:00 AM to dusk. For further information, call (828) 524-5529.
Automobile Tags
Within 30 days of establishing residency, you must also obtain a North Carolina automobile tag. This may be done at 118 East Depot Street. They can be reached at (828) 369-8165.
Beverages
Alcoholic beverages are available within town limits. Beer and wine may be purchased at a number of stores. Distilled liquor may be purchased at the ABC Store at 149 Macon Plaza off of Highlands Road.
A number of restaurants have full-service bars offering a fantastic variety of wines, beer and liquor by the drink.
Business License
Cablevision & Satelite Service
Mediacom has the local contract for cablevision. They may be reached at 1-800-946-5388. In addition, there are a number of satellite service providers in our county.
Driver's License
You have 30 days after you move here to apply for a North Carolina driver’s license. You may do so out in the Macon Industrial Park off of US 64 West at 277 Industrial Park Road. They may be reached at (828) 524-3592.
Electric Service
Our service is provided by Duke Energy. For new service call them at (828) 524-2121.
Fire & Emergency Services
The Macon County Emergency Medical Service, which is available by dialing 911, provides ambulance services. Fire service is provided by a number of volunteer fire departments which are all available through 911. A regional air ambulance is also based in Franklin for extreme medical emergencies.
Garbage Collection
Residents have the choice of hiring a private service or using the convenience centers scattered through the county. The convenience centers also provide for recycling of glass, plastic, paper, and cardboard. The landfill is located on Lakeside Drive just outside of Franklin off Lake Emory Road.
Government
The Town of Franklin in governed by a mayor and Board of Aldermen. Day to day operations are supervised by a town manager. The City Hall is located at 188 West Main Street and they be called at (828) 524-2516. The mayor and Board of Aldermen hold meetings on the first Monday of each month at 7:00 PM in City Hall.
Macon County, of which Franklin is the County Seat, is governed by a Board of Commissioners with day to day operations being supervised by the county manager. They are located at 5 West Main Street and may be contacted at (828) 349-2025. The Board of Commissioners meet the second Monday at 6:00 PM in the County Courthouse. If you have an item for their agenda, merely call the week before scheduled meetings in order to reserve space on the appropriate agenda.
Heating Fuel
Law Enforcement
This is provided by Franklin Police Department at 97 East Main. For emergencies, dial 911, for non-emergencies, call (828) 524-2864. The Macon County Sheriff’s Department and jail is on Lakeside Drive. For emergencies, dial 911, for non-emergencies dial (828) 524-2811.
Library
We have an exceptional library at 819 Siler Road. Their number is (828) 524-3600. A new 29,000 square foot facility.
Post Office
The Post Office is located on Depot Street in Franklin. Highlands, Nantahala, Otto, Scaly Mtn., Topton and Aquone also have post offices.
Taxes
The tax structure in North Carolina includes income tax on personal and business income. Sales tax is collected at the rate of 6.75% on all goods purchased with the exception of prescription drugs, gasoline, coin operated laundry, false teeth, eyeglasses, motor vehicles and goods purchased for resale. The sales tax on motor vehicles is 3%. In addition to sales tax on lodging, there is a 3% lodging tax. Property taxes are administered and levied by the town and county.
Telephone & Internet
New residents may obtain phone service from Frontier by calling 1-877-462-8188. Existing customers of Frontier may visit Frontier Customer Service. online. In addition, there are a number of cell phone providers, and local Internet service provided by Balsam West and Frontier.
Voter Registration
Residents must register 30 days prior to an election, be a U.S. Citizen, and be 18 years of age or older by the election date. To register to vote contact: Macon County Board of Elections, Macon County Courthouse, 5 W. Main Street, Franklin, NC 28734 (828) 349-2034.
Water & Sewer
The Town of Franklin provides water and sewer service. Their office is at 188 West Main Street and they may be phoned at (828) 524-2516.
TOWN & COUNTY OFFICES
Town of Franklin
Franklin Fire Department
828-524-2332
Franklin Police Department
828-524-2864
Macon County Sheriff's Office
828-349-2263
Macon County Courthouse
Macon County Courthouse
828-349-2000
5 West Main Street
Franklin, NC 28734
Macon County Board of Education
828-524-3314
P.O. Box 1029
Franklin, NC 28734
Macon County Board of Elections
Macon County Board of Elections
828-349-2034
Macon County Emergency Medical Services
Macon County Emergency Medical Services
828-349-2067
c/o Macon County Courthouse
5 West Main Street
Franklin, NC 28734
Macon County Inspections
828-349-2072
Macon County Humane Society
828-524-4588
NC Driver's License Office
LOCAL STATE & FEDERAL OFFICES
NC Employment Security Commission
828-369-9534
NC Driver's License Office
828-524-3592
NC License Plate Agency
NC Division of Forestry
828-369-8677
Social Security Administration
828-369-2684
US Forest Service Wayah Ranger Dist.
828-524-6441
90 Sloan Rd.
Franklin NC 28734
US Post Office
Depot Street
Franklin, NC 28734
ABOUT FRANKLIN
Community Profile of Franklin, NC
General Information
County seat: Franklin
County land area: 516.23 sq. miles
Average annual snowfall: 6.8 in.
Average July temperature: 78 degrees
Average Elevation: 2,113 ft. above sea level
Average annual rainfall: 53 in.
Average January temperature: 41 degrees
Population
Population (County): 33,922
Population (City of Franklin): 3,490
Population density: 63.06 per square mile
Education
% of high school graduates: 77.4%
% of college graduates: 16.2%
SAT scores: 1,528
Total enrollment K-12: 4,400
Enrollment Franklin High School: 1,011
Employment
3rd Quarter, 2011 Unemployment Rate: 10.1%
Workforce 3rd Quarter, 2011: 15.520
Infrastructure
Wastewater treatment capacity: 2.500m/g/d
Phone service: Frontier, 877-462-8188
Natural gas service: Toccoa Natural Gas, 828-349-1222
Electric service: Duke Power 866-332-5253
Health Providers
Number of physicians : 77
Population / physician ratio: 22.7 per 10,000
Hospitals: 2 with 100 + beds
Nursing homes: 2
Population/RN ratio: 63.6 per 10,000
Population/dentist ratio: 4.4 per 10,000
Urgent Care: 1
Intermediate/Long-term care: 1
Income
Per capita income: $21, 684
Median family income : $47,228
Total Retail Sales: $321,000,000
Total Retail Businesses: 488
Taxes
County: 2009/2010 property taxes/$100 value: $0.2790
Town of Franklin: property taxes/ $100 value: $0.25
Churches Available in Area
Protestant: 65
Catholic: 1
Jewish: 1
Other: 4
Driving Distance
Atlanta, GA: 130
Greenville, SC: 105
Asheville, NC: 65
Knoxville, TN: 109
Raleigh, NC: 316
Highways Serving Area
US Highways: 23, 441, and 64
North Carolina highways: 28
Government
Franklin: Mayor, Board of Aldermen, 828-524-2516
Macon: Board of Commissioners, County Manager 828-349-2025
Planning & Zoning
Zoning Ordinance: Town of Franklin 828-349-2072
Planning Commission: County – Derek Roland, 828-349-2571
Town: Justin Setzer, 828-524-2516
Law Enforcement
Franklin: Police, 828-524-2864
County: Sheriff’s Office, 828-349-2104
Communications
Local newspapers: 4
Television networks: 4
Internet service providers: 5
Local radio stations: 3
Cable service: Franklin only
Recreation Programs
Program: County
Swimming pools: public: 1
Tennis courts: public: 4
Country clubs: 1
Golf courses: public: 3
Industrial Park
Macon County Industrial Park: 102 acres
Major Industrial Employers Link
Caterpillar Industries: 240 employees
Whitley Products: 180 employees
Shaw Industries: 300 employees
Drake Software: 300 employees
Duotech Services: 25 employees
Tektone Mfg: 90 employees
