Franklin Parish, Louisiana
Franklin Parish sits in northeastern Louisiana, about 40 miles south of the Arkansas border. Catfish is a local favorite, with fried catfish and other Southern dishes being a familiar part of the area’s food culture.
This rural parish is prime cotton country, with broad fields stretching across the countryside. The open agricultural landscape gives Franklin Parish its spacious, peaceful character and reflects the importance of farming to the local way of life.
Despite its quiet reputation, Franklin Parish comes alive during the annual Catfish Festival each April. The celebration brings together food, music, and community traditions, reflecting the close-knit character of a place where neighbors often know one another—and their families—by name.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Parish Name | Franklin Parish |
| Parish Seat | Winnsboro |
| Etymology | Named after Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Winnsboro, Baskin, Gilbert, Wisner, Fort Necessity, Crowville |
| Interstates and Highways | US-425, US-165, LA-15, LA-17, LA-4 |
| FIPS Code | 22-041 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 635 square miles (625 sq mi land, 10 sq mi water) |
| Adjacent Parishes (and Direction) | Richland Parish (North), Madison Parish (Northeast), Tensas Parish (Southeast), Catahoula Parish (South), Caldwell Parish (West) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CT) |
| State | Louisiana |
| Coordinates | 32.1019° N, 91.7197° W |
| Major Landmarks | Poverty Point Reservoir State Park, West Winnsboro Historic District, Franklin Parish Courthouse, Boeuf Wildlife Management Area, Davis Island Plantation |
| Population | Approximately 19,000 |
