Franklin County Map, Florida
Explore the definitive interactive map and reference guide to Franklin County, Florida. With a population of 12,451 living across 545 square miles of land, Franklin County is one of 15 counties in the Northwest Florida region. The county seat is Apalachicola, and the county carries the FIPS identifier 12037 in U.S. Census and USGS datasets.
A small Gulf-coast county built around Apalachicola Bay — historically one of the most productive oyster fisheries in North America — and the barrier islands of St. George, Dog, and St. Vincent.
Franklin County at a glance
A concise reference summary of Franklin County's key statistics — useful for research, real estate, relocation, travel planning, GIS workflows, journalism, and civics education.
- Official name
- Franklin County
- County seat
- Apalachicola
- FIPS code
- 12037
- Region
- Northwest Florida
- Established
- 1832
- Named for
- Benjamin Franklin.
- Land area
- 545 sq mi
- Water area
- 512 sq mi
- Total area
- 1,057 sq mi
- Population (2020)
- 12,451
- Population density
- 23 / sq mi
- Time zone
- Eastern Time
Where is Franklin County, Florida?
Franklin County is located in the Northwest Florida region of Florida, one of 67 counties that make up the state. Its county seat, Apalachicola, is the administrative hub — home to the courthouse, county commission chambers, tax collector, property appraiser, supervisor of elections, and clerk of the circuit court.
The county spans a total of 1,057 square miles — 545 of land and 512 of water — and operates on Eastern Time. Federal agencies including the U.S. Census Bureau, USGS, and FEMA reference the county by its FIPS code, 12037, in datasets, boundary files, and hazard mapping.
Franklin County shares borders with 3 neighboring counties: Gulf County, Liberty County, Wakulla County. Use the interactive map above to explore where those boundaries meet or jump directly to any neighboring county page for a side-by-side comparison.
Franklin County geography & landscape
Apalachicola Bay estuary, Apalachicola National Forest (partly), and the barrier islands. The Apalachicola River delta enters the Gulf here.
The county's overall footprint — 545 square miles of land plus 512 square miles of water — places it in the mid-range of Florida's 67 counties by area. Elevation across most of Florida is modest, and land-use, drainage basins, and habitat corridors defined by state and federal agencies (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Water Management Districts) shape how growth and conservation coexist here.
Economy & industry in Franklin County
Commercial fishing (oysters, historically; now recovering), seafood processing, tourism, and vacation rentals on St. George Island.
Employment, tax base, and land use in Franklin County reflect its location in Northwest Florida and its position as a smaller, more rural county. Economic development authorities, chambers of commerce, and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity publish updated employer and workforce data for the county on their portals.
History of Franklin County
Established 1832. Apalachicola was Florida's third-busiest cotton port in the 1830s. Dr. John Gorrie, credited with inventing mechanical refrigeration and modern air conditioning, practiced medicine here.
Established in 1832, Franklin County is one of Florida's earliest counties. Its boundaries, seat, and government have evolved through territorial, statehood, Reconstruction, and modern eras — a lineage documented by the Florida Historical Society, the State Archives of Florida, and the Franklin County Historical Commission or equivalent local body.
Tourism & things to do in Franklin County
St. George Island State Park, John Gorrie Museum, Apalachicola's historic district, oyster tours, and St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge.
Whether you're planning a weekend trip, a longer stay, or a day drive from a neighboring county, Franklin County offers a mix of natural, cultural, and community attractions tied to its Northwest Florida identity. For the latest hours, admission fees, and seasonal events, check the county's official tourism development council and the Florida State Parks portal (floridastateparks.org).
Cities, towns & communities in Franklin County
Franklin County contains the following incorporated cities, towns, and notable census-designated places. Each municipality provides local services, zoning, and police protection within the broader county jurisdiction. Use the ZIP code lookupto jump between Florida counties instantly.
Getting to Franklin County
Access routes and regional transportation infrastructure serving Franklin County.
- US-98
- US-319
- Apalachicola Regional (AAF)
Franklin County GIS, parcel & boundary data
Franklin County's authoritative boundary lines, parcel data, zoning layers, flood zones, and land-use inventories are maintained by county government and state agencies. Use the official links in the sidebar for parcel lookups, appraiser searches, and record requests. For statewide GIS, the Florida Geographic Data Library (FGDL) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection publish downloadable layers keyed to FIPS 12037.
You can download this county's outline as SVG, PNG, or a printable PDF factsheet using the export tools in the sidebar — perfect for reports, presentations, classroom handouts, or planning documents.
Frequently asked about Franklin County
Population figures reflect the U.S. Census Bureau 2020 decennial count with ACS 5-year updates where noted. Land and water areas come from the U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line boundary files. Highway designations use Florida Department of Transportation route inventories. County establishment dates and namesakes are drawn from the Florida Association of Counties and State Archives of Florida. See our methodology page.
Nearby Florida counties
Counties that share a border with Franklin County. Click any to view its map, seat, cities, and full guide.