Franklin County, Illinois

Founding: 1818
Parent counties: Gallatin, Johnson, and White

Namesake: Benjamin Franklin, Founding Father
Seat: Frankfort (1826–1841); Benton (1841–)

Land area: 409 square miles

Population (2020): 37,804

Population (historic): 1,763 (1820); 5,681 (1850); 12,652 (1870); 19,675 (1900); 59,442 (1930)

Periods of population growth: pre-1820–1830; 1840–1930; 1970s; 2000s

Subdivisions: Six cities; 11 villages; one CDP; 12 townships

Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 4,595 (24.7%)
Pre-1940 housing survival rate: 37.2%
Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940): 2%

Farm housing in disrepair (1950): 11.5%

Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950): 9.2%

Average farmhouse value (1930): $705
Average outbuilding value (1930): $441

Average farmhouse size (1940): 4.5 rooms
Number of farms (1920): 2,353
Average farm size (1920): 75.3 acres
Sources of settlement: Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana
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Benton

Namesake: Thomas Benton, Missouri senator

Founding: 1840 (post office); 1841 (platting); 1902 (incorporation)

Population (2020): 6,709

Population (historic): 380 (1860); 984 (1880); 1,341 (1900); 8,219 (1930)

Periods of population growth: 1841–1880; 1890–1930; 1940s; 1970s; 2000s
Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 783 (23.3%)
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Outstanding Buildings

1. Basil Silkwood Log House (1828). 7570 Mulkeytown Road. Tyrone.

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