City of Franklin, Virginia
Quick answer: The City of Franklin is an independent city in Virginia. Its estimated population in 2025 was 8,478, up 3.7% since 2020. It covers about 8 square miles of land.
| Type | independent city |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1876 |
| Population, 2025 estimate | 8,478 |
| Population, 2020 estimate | 8,147 |
| Change 2020–2025 | 4.1% |
| Rank by population in Virginia | 119 of 133 |
Overview
The City of Franklin is one of Virginia's 38 independent cities. In Virginia, an independent city is not part of any county; it runs its own local government, courts and schools.[1] Its founding date is recorded as 1876.[2] The name comes from Benjamin Franklin.[2]
Population of Franklin
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of the City of Franklin at 8,478 in July 2025, up 3.7% from the April 2020 base of 8,176.[1] That made it 119th of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 43rd for growth since 2020.[1]
From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 804 births and 877 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 73.[1] More people moved in from other parts of the United States than moved away. Net domestic migration was 377. Moves from abroad were -6.[1]
Geography
The City of Franklin covers 8.3 square miles of land and 0.1 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 123rd of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 1,024 people per square mile in 2025, so it is one of the more densely settled places in the state. Its geographic center lies near 36.68° N, 76.94° W.[3]
The city borders Isle of Wight County and Southampton County.[4]
Frequently asked questions
Is Franklin in a county?
No. Franklin is an independent city, so it is not part of any county.
What is the population of the City of Franklin?
About 8,478 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
How big is the City of Franklin?
About 8 square miles of land, plus 0.1 square miles of water.
References
- [1] U.S. Census Bureau, County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025 (Vintage 2025) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [2] Wikidata, Franklin city, Virginia (open data, CC0) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [3] U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer Files: Counties – last checked 11/08/2026
- [4] U.S. Census Bureau, County Adjacency File (2024) – last checked 11/08/2026
Official website: www.franklinva.com
Boundary on the map: Census TIGERweb. See all counties and cities on the map.