Where is Franklin, Kentucky, USA?

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: April 28, 2026 | 14:51 ET

Where is Franklin Located? - Franklin is a city located in the Simpson County of Kentucky, United States. Franklin lies between 42.466763 Degrees North latitudes and 70.9494938 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Franklin, Kentucky

Where is Franklin, Kentucky

Franklin Map, Kentucky, USA

Where is Franklin?: The Google Map showing the location of Franklin in the U.S. state of Kentucky.

Where is Franklin Located?

Franklin is a city located in the Simpson County of Kentucky, United States. Franklin lies between 42.466763 Degrees North latitudes and 70.9494938 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Franklin city is 10176 people and the city has a total area of 14.62 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.

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Franklin, Kentucky Quick Facts

PropertyInformation
CityFranklin
CountySimpson County
StateKentucky
State CapitalFrankfort
US RegionSouth
Latitude36.7228°N
Longitude86.5772°W
Elevation673 ft (205 m)
Land Area15.46 sq mi
Water Area0.15 sq mi
Total Area15.61 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)10,176
Population Density658 per sq mi
ZIP Codes42134, 42135
Area Code270, 364
Time Zone StandardCentral Standard Time (CST, UTC−6)
Time Zone DaylightCentral Daylight Time (CDT, UTC−5)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code21-28954
Congressional DistrictKentucky's 2nd Congressional District

Nearby Cities to Franklin, Kentucky

  • Portland, Tennessee - South - 12 mi
  • Mitchellville, Tennessee - South - 14 mi
  • White House, Tennessee - South - 21 mi
  • Bowling Green, Kentucky - North - 23 mi
  • Scottsville, Kentucky - East - 24 mi
  • Cross Plains, Tennessee - South - 25 mi
  • Gallatin, Tennessee - Southeast - 30 mi
  • Springfield, Tennessee - Southwest - 31 mi
  • Goodlettsville, Tennessee - South - 37 mi
  • Hendersonville, Tennessee - Southeast - 39 mi

Driving Distances from Franklin, Kentucky

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
PortlandTennessee1215 minutes
MitchellvilleTennessee1418 minutes
White HouseTennessee2125 minutes
Bowling GreenKentucky2325 minutes
ScottsvilleKentucky2430 minutes
Cross PlainsTennessee2530 minutes
GallatinTennessee3035 minutes
SpringfieldTennessee3140 minutes
GoodlettsvilleTennessee3745 minutes
NashvilleTennessee4450 minutes

Transportation and Connectivity in Franklin, Kentucky

ModeDetails
Airport NameNashville International Airport
IATA CodeBNA
PortNot Applicable
Major HighwaysInterstate 65, US Highway 31W, Kentucky Route 100, Kentucky Route 73
Train/Amtrak ServiceNo passenger rail service; nearest Amtrak station is in Nashville, Tennessee
Local Bus/Transit ServiceSouth Central Kentucky Transit services and regional transportation options
  • Interstate 65 runs north-south along the eastern edge of Franklin, connecting the city with Bowling Green, Louisville, and Nashville.
  • US Highway 31W passes through downtown Franklin, providing an alternate route between Bowling Green and Nashville.
  • Kentucky Route 100 connects Franklin with Scottsville, Russellville, and western Kentucky communities.
  • Kentucky Route 73 provides access to nearby rural communities and agricultural areas in Simpson County.

What are top Places to Visit in Franklin, Kentucky

Landmark NameType
Historic Downtown FranklinHistoric District
Simpson County Archives and MuseumMuseum
Kenny Perry's Country Creek Golf CourseGolf Course
Doughty HouseHistoric Site
J.R. Miller ParkPark
Octagon Hall MuseumHistoric House Museum
Kentucky DownsHorse Racing Venue
Barren River Lake State Resort ParkState Park
Baker ArboretumBotanical Garden
Lost River CaveNatural Attraction

Colleges and Universities in Franklin, Kentucky

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical CollegePublicCommunity CollegeCareer and workforce education
Western Kentucky UniversityPublicUniversityResearch and higher education
Daymar College – Bowling GreenPrivateUniversityHealthcare and business programs
Austin Peay State University – Fort Campbell CenterPublicUniversityAdult and continuing education
Simpson County SchoolsPublicK–12 DistrictPublic education in Simpson County

Waterbodies in Franklin, Kentucky

Drakes Creek, West Fork Drakes Creek, Barren River, Red River, Sulphur Fork Creek, Barren River Lake, Old Hickory Lake, Lake Malone

Golf Courses in Franklin, Kentucky

Kenny Perry's Country Creek Golf Course, Franklin Country Club, CrossWinds Golf Course, Cross Creek Golf Course, Indian Hills Country Club, Kenny Perry's Golf Complex Practice Facility

Franklin, Kentucky — Key Historical Facts

  • Franklin was founded in 1820 and became the county seat of Simpson County, serving as an important commercial center for southern Kentucky.
  • The city's location along early stagecoach routes and later the Louisville & Nashville Railroad encouraged steady economic growth during the nineteenth century.
  • Franklin played a strategic role during the American Civil War because of its proximity to the Kentucky–Tennessee border and major transportation corridors.
  • The community has long been known for agriculture, tobacco production, and regional trade, while preserving many historic buildings in its downtown district.
  • Today, Franklin is recognized for its historic charm, annual community festivals, proximity to Kentucky Downs, and convenient location between Bowling Green and Nashville.

References

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