Franklin County covers nearly 500 square miles of North Carolina's northern Piedmont Region. Five small towns and one community comprise the county. The entire area around the Research Triangle has shown steady growth rates. Raleigh proves to be North Carolina's fastest growing city and Durham comes in next. Franklin County, predominantly rural today, is also experiencing sure and steady growth. Census 2000 recorded the population at 47,260.

Agriculture, lumber and textiles make up the present economy, though new firms discover Franklin County each year. An excellent Economic Development Agency aids newcomers in discovering the large number of grants and funding available, along with many incentives. A few of the companies moving into Franklin County are Sprint, Novozymes, Hon Industries and Martin Marietta. Lower living costs and land prices attract businesses and residents away from the big cities

Louisburg College, a Methodist junior college, calls Franklin County, NC home. Nearby Vance-Granville Community College offers technical and general education. A new satellite campus is in the Franklin County seat of Louisburg. Three outstanding universities lie within an hour's drive, North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and NC Central University.

While Louisburg, population 3,111, is Franklin County's seat, it serves with the town of Youngsville as the commercial and economic hubs of the region. Youngsville, population 1,117, lies near the Wake/Franklin County border. Situated only a short drive from the Triangle, Youngsville city planners are attracting much residential and industrial growth. Almost eighty subdivisions now exist around the town. Two new Industrial Parks are also in place.

The town of Franklinton also shows new growth. Situated only fifteen minutes from Raleigh, it offers rural beauty along with metropolitan flare. Centerville, population 99, is in the northeastern sector of Franklin County. It incorporated in 1965. The town of Bunn, population 357, is close to beautiful Lake Royale, a luxurious gated community in Franklin County's fastest growing area. Found only twenty-eight miles from Raleigh, the community sits on the shore of a 345-acre man made lake. With 3.25 miles of shoreline, residents enjoy boating, fishing, skiing and golf.

Franklin County, North Carolina claims a vital and strategic location for potential growth. Determined to retain their small-town atmosphere and scenic rural serenity, county fathers plan carefully for the future.