Franklin is a city in and the county seat of Williamson County, Tennessee, United States. About 21 miles (34 km) south of Nashville, it is one of the principal cities of the Nashville metropolitan area and Middle Tennessee. As of 2020, its population was 83,454. It is the seventh-most populous city in Tennessee. The city developed on both sides of the Harpeth River, a tributary of the Cumberland River. In the 19th century, Franklin (as the county seat) was the trading and judicial center for primarily rural Williamson County and remained so well into the 20th century as the county remained rural and agricultural in nature. Since 1980, areas of northern Franklin have been developed for residential and related businesses, in addition to modern service industries. The population has increased rapidly as growth moved in all directions from the core. Despite recent growth and development, Franklin is noted for its many older buildings and neighborhoods, which are protected by city ordinances. The Williamson County seat and one of the MSA's principal cities, about 21 miles south of Nashville. Franklin pairs a nationally celebrated historic downtown and deep Civil War heritage (Battle of Franklin, Nov. 30, 1864) with CoolSprings corporate employment.
The median listing price in Franklin is $1,100,000.
Top places in Franklin
Downtown Franklin
Carnton, the Carter House, and the Lotz House
The Factory at Franklin
CoolSprings Galleria and the CoolSprings corporate corridor.
Winstead Hill Park
The Park at Harlinsdale Farm
Commuting from Franklin
Approximate drive to downtown Nashville: 25–35 minutes (about 21 miles, via I-65).
No commuter-rail service; heavy but direct I-65 corridor. WeGo regional bus serves Franklin.
Franklin FAQs
What is the housing market like in Franklin, TN? The median listing price in Franklin is $1,100,000. Median listing price · Realtor.com · September 2026
How is the commute from Franklin, TN? Approximate drive to downtown Nashville: 25–35 minutes (about 21 miles, via I-65).
