[6] Former Nebraska Governor, Ashton Shallenberger, collapsed and then died a few moments later while giving a speech in Franklin on February 22, 1938.

[7][8] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.99 square miles (2.56 km2), all land.

[9] Franklin has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa bordering on Dwa).

There were 519 housing units at an average density of 524.2 per square mile (202.4/km2).

37.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 25.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The racial makeup of the city was 99.42% White, 0.39% Native American, 0.10% Asian, and 0.10% from two or more races.

36.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 24.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.