About Franklin
Franklin is considered a village in Oakland County, Michigan with a population of 3,251. It is known for its large, estate-style house located in ravines, and the vintage style downtown area and older cider mill. Franklin is the 276th largest town in Michigan. It has some of the most expensive home prices in Michigan and reported to be among the most expensive in America.
Many residents of Franklin work in computers and math. Since it is considered to be where urban sophisticates (wealthy, employed in professional occupations and highly educated) live, they bring their urban taste with them. This means that they support quality clothing stores, bookstores, enjoy luxury travel and are patrons of the arts.
The Median household income is approximately $124,014.
Franklin Homes
Franklin History
Elijah Bullock and other settlers founded Franklin in 1825. It was named after Benjamin Franklin. The area’s first business district was formed in 1830. Many of the buildings maintain their original structure, which is not common for most of suburban Detroit. Franklin was incorporated in 1953.
The Franklin Village marker was erected in 1960. It reads Franklin Village Founded in 1824- 1825. It received its current name in 1828. The first postmaster in Franklin was Dr. Ebenezer Raynale, who also served as a state legislator and was also a physician. The forerunner of the business center will The William Huston store, which opened its doors in 1830. This business enter eventually included the Van Every Mills, Broughton Wagon Shop, taverns, Ye Olde Cider Mill, two churches, and several distilleries. The city was also a stop on the Underground Railroad, used by slaves escaping to the Free States or Canada.
There is another marker in front of Franklin Village School. A law was passed in 1827 that required every township in Michigan that had fifty or more residents to establish a school. In 1928 the first school was established.
Franklin Real Estate
The median home value in Franklin is $600,700. The home values in Franklin have risen to 1.4% in the past year. The median list price per square foot is $210. This is higher than the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metro area, which is $133 per square foot.
Franklin Schools
- Wylie E. Groves High School – A top-rated, public, magnet school with 1,234 students in grades 9-12. 59% of students are at least proficient in math and 83% are proficient in reading.
- Berkshire Middle School – A highly rated, public school with approximately 7,938 students in grades 6-8. Test scores indicate that 60% of students are at least math proficient and 66% are reading proficiently. Berkshire Middle School was ranked #39 of 679 best public schools in Michigan.
- West Maple Elementary School – This is a highly rated, public, a magnet school with 521 students in grades K-5. 75% of the students attending are proficient in math with 79% proficiency in reading. It is ranked 912 of 1,902 Most Diverse Public Elementary Schools in Michigan.
Franklin Parks and Recreation
- Quarton Lake Park – Situated in a neighborhood setting with a small lake and walking trail.
- Booth Park – This park is more than just a playground, it also has a free library – take a book, leave a book.
- Pebble Creek Park – A suburban park with a soccer field, tennis courts, trail, playground, and picnic shelter.
- Woodland Hills – Natural park, made up of a beautiful meadow, pond, trails, and wildlife.
- The Burgh Historical Park – Flower Garden and historic site (wedding venue)
- John R. Miller – Tennis Court, Ballfields, Basketball courts, picnic area (shelter), public parking available.
- Pebble Creek Park – Tennis courts, jogging trail, soccer field, play lot, picnic area and shelter, restrooms.
$600,700
Median Home Price
$1,500
Median 1-Bedroom Rent
1.4%
Estimated Price Increase Next Year
Franklin Restaurants and Bars
- Bangalore Wood Fired Cucina – Local, family-friendly restaurant. When you want a wood-fired pizza then this is the place to visit in Franklin. This delicious pizza is a must in Franklin.
- Mandaloun Bistro – When you want something different than the typical American cuisine, visit Mandaloun Bistro, a Lebanese restaurant.
- The Franklin Grill – This is a laid-back, rustic restaurant serving up some of your favorite American food, like burgers, chicken strips, fries, and more.
- Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern – This is Franklin’s casual bar that doubles as a restaurant and sports-bar. Looking for a cold one before, after or during the game, visit Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern.
Franklin Shopping
- Déjà vu – An upscale designer resale shop, selling designer women’s clothes, jewelry, and accessories.
- Franklin Village Boutique – Women’s apparel and hand-crafted jewelry, great gifts, and accessories.
- So Zen Designs – Original designs by Alise Marks. The jewelry was intended for yoga enthusiasts. The designs are comfortable, lightweight, and appealing to a variety of people. This is where one-of-a-kind pieces sold.
- Yanke Designs Fine Jewelry – This is Michigan’s largest hand made jewelry that can be found right here in Franklin. The store specializes in the sale of diamonds and engagement rings.
Franklin Points of Interest
One of Franklin, Michigan’s most notable places is the Franklin Cider Mill. It has been in existence since 1837. This is the same year Michigan became a state.
The Firehouse was built in 1959 and only has one firefighter and chief. The other firefighters are volunteers. The firehouse is located in the old village community hall.
The popular podcast hosted by Mike Clark & Mike Wolters, formerly of the WRIF-FM radio station in Detroit, is housed in Franklin, as it is a part of the Radio For One Studios and The Detroit Cast.