Each edition grades its towns against each other only.
A town of 373.
50% of residents live below the poverty line in Franklin, above both the Maryland town median (7%) and the median of U.S. towns (9.6%). Of the 262 Maryland towns we compare, none has a lower share of adults with a bachelor’s degree than Franklin. Franklin has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
The archive holds 2 old photos and papers going back to 2016 and 4 maps from 1948 on.
Explore the history →Franklin is unincorporated, so Allegany County and regional agencies provide most services.
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Mar 11, 2026.
Ordered by what stands out in Franklin.
Franklin has chilly, snowy winters and warm summers. Only 6 of the 262 Maryland towns we compare have a lower July high than Franklin.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 65% of U.S. communities.
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Franklin’s median household income is $26,000, against $113,000 in Maryland’s towns and $80,000 across U.S. towns. Jobs based in Franklin grew to 97 in 2023, 34 more than in 2013. Most working residents leave Franklin for work: only 2% work in town.
| Franklin | Maryland towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $26,000 | $113,000 | $80,000 |
| Working residents who work in town | 2% | 3.1% | 8% |
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
20% of Franklin adults have diabetes. Among 262 Maryland towns, just 1 have a higher share of adults who have high blood pressure than Franklin. 21% of Franklin adults have been diagnosed with depression.
| Franklin | Maryland towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diabetes (CDC PLACES) | 20% | 12% | 12% |
| Frequent physical distress (CDC PLACES) | 20% | 12% | 14% |
| Get no exercise (CDC PLACES) | 40% | 23% | 25% |
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 10% | 14% | 16% |
| What stands out | Franklin | MD |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer binge drinkers | 10% | 14.1% |
| Fewer adults facing housing insecurity | 9.9% | 13.5% |
| More adults with heart disease | 15.3% | 5.8% |
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Franklin. Close and well known come first.
Big draw36 mi MuseumFallingwater
Big draw38 mi National MemorialFlight 93 National Memorial286K visitors a year
21 mi MountainMount Davis
39 mi Park & preserveDolly Sods Wilderness
18 mi LakeDeep Creek Lake
35 mi National BattlefieldFort Necessity National Battlefield226K visitors a yearFallingwater: Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain · Flight 93 National Memorial: James Steakley, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Mount Davis: Wikiuser100, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Dolly Sods Wilderness: Valerius Tygart, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Deep Creek Lake: Gohens84, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Fort Necessity National Battlefield: Wilson44691, CC0
2 within 15 miles of the center of Franklin
About 4 of every 100 Franklin residents are enrolled in college, against 7 across Maryland.
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Franklin has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
