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Town Hall · Franklin Township

Franklin Township spent more per resident in 2022 than 81% of similar towns

Franklin Township’s town government spent $2.7 million on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $644 per resident.

Day-to-day spending, 2022
$2.7M
year to December 31, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$644
In 2022: $644, more than 81% of 466 similar towns
Long-term debt
$1.5M
end of 2022, reported
Town staff, 2022
12
full-time · 5 part-time · March payroll $62,865
Typical tax bill
$3,757
1.60% of home value · PA 1.30%

What stands out about how Franklin Township is run

Read from the town’s budget and official records.

Compared with similar places

$644 per resident in 2022: more than 81% of them

Franklin Township’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($644 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 466 Pennsylvania towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $419, and the middle half spent $306–$592. Franklin Township spent more than 81% of them.

Middle half of the group, $306–$592Median $419Franklin Township

Includes sewer and trash ($867,000), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →

The group
466

Pennsylvania towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Franklin Township itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $644 per resident a year, or $1.76 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 32%.

Where the money comes from
Fees & charges 36%Property taxes 24%Income taxes 15%From the state 11%From the federal government 7%Other taxes & licenses 4%Interest, fines & other 3%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $34,000; interest on debt $65,000. With these, the whole budget was $2.8 million.
Over the years

No trend yet

Franklin Township reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $3,757 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.60% of the home’s value, vs 1.30% across Pennsylvania.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Towamensing Township$4,221
Franklin Township$3,757
Mahoning Township$3,726
Parryville$3,571
Pennsylvania$3,311
Penn Forest Township$3,120
Jim Thorpe$2,853
Weissport East$2,719
Lehighton$2,666
Weissport$1,837
$3,757
typical bill a year
1.60%
effective rate
$234,700
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Franklin Township’s rate.

Can I afford it? →

The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate.

Tax bills are one input to Franklin Township’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Franklin Township →

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Franklin Township

Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.

Check Franklin Township’s own website for current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Franklin Township yet.
Who works for Franklin Township

One full-time town employee for every 349 residents

On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (4,182).

By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022

Roads & transportation5
Police5
Administration & buildings2 + 4 pt
Sewer & trash0 + 1 pt
12
full-time
5
part-time
$62,865
payroll for March 2022
$754,380
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$59,300
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
5
sworn police officers
Compared, 2022.Franklin Township had 2.9 full-time staff per 1,000 residents in March 2022. The median for the 332 of the 466 Pennsylvania towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools that reported 2022 staff was 1.5: Franklin Township had more than 85% of them. Same group and year as the budget comparison.

The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.

The school district

Lehighton Area School District

Franklin Township’s K–12 school district, shared with East Penn Township, Lehighton, Mahoning Township, Parryville, Weissport. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Franklin Township →
$18,494
per pupil · PA $21,758
2,122
students
$46 million
long-term debt

Of the $18,494 per pupil, $11,974 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.

The district: schools, scores and graduation →

Where the district’s money comes from
Local 50%State 41%Federal 9%

Pennsylvania districts overall: 55% local, 37% state, 8% federal.

School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.

Elections · 2024 general election

Franklin Township’s votes are counted by county

Pennsylvania reports official results by county and precinct, not by town, so there are no official results for Franklin Township alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Carbon County’s results.

President · Carbon County’s results35,395 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican67.0%23,708 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat32.2%11,394 votes

Others: 0.8% (293 votes).

Most votes in Carbon County: Donald J Trump

Pennsylvania: Trump 50.4%, Harris 48.7%

The county’s page

100% of Franklin Township lies in Carbon County. Every 2024 race in Carbon County is on the county’s page.

Carbon County’s 2024 results →
DemocratRepublicanLibertarianIndependent / other

Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.

Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017. All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.

Who represents Franklin Township

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Franklin Township.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your townTown government
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Pennsylvania HouseState representatives
  3. 3
    Pennsylvania SenateState senator
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Pennsylvania

Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.

Next door

How Franklin Township compares with the towns next door

Franklin Township spent $644 per resident in 2022; the 6 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $273 to $1,085. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.

Spends the leastSpends the mostEstimate or no figures
TownDay-to-day, per resident (2022)Tax bill
Penn Forest Township$273$3,120
Towamensing Township$435$4,221
Mahoning Township$488$3,726
Parryville$619$3,571
Jim Thorpe$948$2,853
Lehighton$1,085$2,666
Weissportestimate$1,837
Franklin Township$644$3,757

Day-to-day spending in 2022, the last year every government was counted, for governments that reported it; hospital and utilities left out. Tax bill: the typical homeowner’s bill (Census ACS, 2020–24).

Reach Franklin Township’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Franklin Township’s government

How much does Franklin Township spend per resident?

About $644 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $644 was more than 81% of 466 Pennsylvania towns and townships of 2,500–9,999 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Franklin Township?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $3,757 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.60% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.30% across Pennsylvania. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the town’s assessor.

Who runs Franklin Township’s government?

We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Franklin Township yet.

How did Franklin Township vote in 2024?

Pennsylvania counts votes by county and precinct, not by town, so there are no official results for Franklin Township alone. Carbon County, where 100% of Franklin Township lies, voted Trump 67.0%, Harris 32.2% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Franklin Township?

12 full-time and 5 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $62,865 (about $754,380 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Franklin Township in the state legislature?

State Senate District 29 (Dave Argall) and State House District 122 (Doyle Heffley). The House district also covers 22 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Franklin Township’s government

Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.

Town Square →
Ask neighbors

Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →