Franklin, Tasmania
| Franklin Tasmania | |
|---|---|
View down the main street, Franklin | |
| Coordinates | 43°05′S 147°01′E / 43.083°S 147.017°E |
| Population | 444 (2021 census) |
| Established | 1836 (first land grant) |
| Gazetted | 1866 (town proclaimed) |
| Postcode(s) | 7113 |
| Elevation | 13 m (43 ft) |
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10) |
| • Summer (DST) | AEDT (UTC+11) |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Huon Valley Council |
| State electorate(s) | Franklin |
| Federal division(s) | Franklin |
| Footnotes | |
Franklin is a historic riverside town in the Huon Valley, Tasmania. Located on the western bank of the Huon River about 45 km (28 mi) south-west of Hobart, the Huon Highway links Franklin with Tasmania’s southernmost communities. It lies within the jurisdiction of the Huon Valley Council local government area.
With informal settlement commencing in 1822, Franklin is considered the oldest township in the Huon Valley. The valley’s early prosperity rested on river transport that carried timber and apples to Hobart and, later, to Port Huon. Franklin remained the district’s principal settlement until stalled foreshore reclamation works and the rise of neighbouring Huonville shifted commerce upstream. Today the town maintains its boat building heritage with through the Wooden Boat Centre, a school and museum dedicated to traditional wooden-boat construction, and agricultural traditions through cideries and roadside stalls selling locally grown apples and pears.
At the 2021 census, the locality of Franklin recorded a population of 444, while the surrounding rural district supports roughly 1,000 residents. Census data show a markedly older demographic: the median age is 64 years and women comprise 55 % of the population, underlining Franklin’s appeal as a compact, retirement-oriented community.