Merrimack County · Lakes Region

Franklin

Where Two Rivers Meet to Form the Merrimack

About Franklin

Franklin sits at one of New Hampshire's most significant geographical landmarks — the exact spot where the Pemigewasset and Winnipesaukee rivers merge to form the mighty Merrimack. This small city built its identity on waterpower, with mills and factories lining the riverbanks through the 1800s. It's the birthplace of Daniel Webster, one of America's greatest orators and statesmen, whose family homestead still stands as a state historic site. Today Franklin is a working-class community in active revitalization, with affordable housing stock, an industrial park anchored by Webster Valve, and Concord Hospital's Franklin campus providing healthcare. The downtown shows grit and promise — old brick mill buildings are finding new life alongside local shops and businesses like Vulgar Brewing Company, where locals gather for craft beer in a converted industrial space. The rivers remain the town's defining feature, drawing anglers and kayakers to some of the best water access in the Lakes Region. Beyond the Franklin Falls Recreational Trails, the converging waterways offer plenty of spots to fish, paddle, or just watch the current. It's a place where you can afford to live, find decent work, and still have the rivers practically in your backyard.

Why Franklin?

Most affordable real estate in the Lakes Region with median prices around $360,000
Birthplace of Daniel Webster with rich industrial heritage and active revitalization
Exceptional river access at the confluence of three major waterways
Short drive to Lakes Region recreation, Winnipesaukee, and Concord amenities

Quick Facts

Population

8,741

County

Merrimack

Region

Lakes Region

School District

SAU 18

Weather in Franklin

50°F

Partly Cloudy

Today

58 / 25

Sun

63 / 40

Mon

62 / 42

Map

Living in Franklin

What you need to know about making Franklin your home.

Major Employers

Webster ValveConcord Hospital - FranklinVitex ExtrusionPCC StructuralsTSI IncorporatedSoller CompositesGrevior Furniture

Schools & Education

Franklin School District (SAU 18) serves roughly 940 students across one elementary school, one middle school, and Franklin High School.

Cost of Living

Well below the NH average — Franklin offers some of the most affordable housing in the Lakes Region, with no sales or income tax.

Real Estate

$360,000 median home price

$17.63 per $1,000 property tax rate

No state income or sales tax in NH

View listings in Franklin

Commute Times

20 min

Concord

30 min

Laconia

45 min

Manchester

School District

Regional district

Franklin/Winnisquam School District(SAU 18)

Grades served: PreK-12

Website

Franklin serves as a district hub for students from nearby towns in this district.

District towns

Tilton Northfield Sanbornton Hill

Paul A. Smith Elementary School

K-3Elementary

Franklin Middle School

4-8Middle School

Franklin High SchoolTornadoes

9-12High School

Parks & Public Spaces

Franklin Falls Recreational TrailsTrail

Hidden Gems in Franklin

Beyond the well-known attractions, Franklin has spots that locals love and visitors rarely find.

Franklin Falls Dam Mountain Bike Trails

year-round

A sprawling 3,900-acre mountain biking paradise managed by NEMBA with unique sandy soil that drains exceptionally well, making it rideable when other trails are muddy. The signature trail, Mighty Chicken, is a gravity-fed experience through a natural ravine half-pipe that locals call 'the most fun you can have on a bike in New Hampshire.' There's also a challenging 25-hole disc golf course winding through the forest.

Mill City Park Whitewater Features

year-round

New England's first community whitewater park featuring engineered standing waves on the Winnipesaukee River where kayakers can surf in place just like ocean waves. The river drops 77 feet per mile and flows year-round, creating Class II-IV rapids that attract paddlers from across the region. You can watch the action from the Franklin Savings Bank Amphitheater while learning about the mill town's industrial heritage.

Tarbin Gardens

summer

A hand-built 5-acre botanical wonderland that feels like stepping into a secret garden. Created over decades by a passionate gardener, it features tropical greenhouses, koi ponds, meandering paths through exotic plantings, and resident cats that roam freely among the flowers. The Gingerbread Terrace and Tea Garden offer peaceful spots to sit surrounded by more plants than you'd think possible in New Hampshire.

Daniel Webster Birthplace

summer

The reconstructed two-room log cabin where America's greatest orator was born in 1782, now a state historic site. The tiny building sits on the original cellar hole with period furnishings and a rebuilt fireplace using original handmade bricks. What makes it special is the knowledgeable volunteer guides who bring Webster's story to life and the peaceful rural setting that feels unchanged since the 1700s.

Franklin Opera House

year-round

A beautifully preserved 1893 opera house in downtown Franklin's city hall building featuring a curved balcony with perfect sightlines and intimate 200-seat capacity where every seat feels like the best in the house. This volunteer-run gem presents everything from Broadway musicals to local comedy shows at refreshingly affordable prices, maintaining the authentic small-town theater experience that's becoming increasingly rare.