Population102,612 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
Your Local Guide Starts Here
Franklin County, WashingtonExplore local resources and participating businesses in Franklin County, Washington.
Franklin County at a Glance
Population102,612 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatPasco
Largest City (2026)Pasco (2026 OFM)
Year Organized1883 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP Code Examples99301, 99326, 99335
Total Area, Including Water1,264.959 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesI-182, US 395, US 12
Local Area Codes509
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Discover Franklin County
Franklin County
Franklin County was organized in 1883 from part of Whitman County and named for Benjamin Franklin. Ainsworth held the earlier seat before railway-related relocation brought county government to Pasco in 1886. Regular airmail service added another transportation chapter in 1926. The courthouse history and local historical society's accounts connect these events with the surrounding river landscape. Together they show how the county's civic location and commercial connections changed with different transport systems rather than developing independently of them.
Begin with Pasco's courthouse history, then use local historical interpretation to follow the earlier Ainsworth connection. Railway and aviation themes can provide separate focuses for a visit. Choose a specific public riverfront destination if adding an outdoor stop, since the Columbia and Snake are large geographic references rather than single attractions. Comparing historical maps with present streets can make the seat's movement easier to understand.
What Shapes Us
Place And Character
Pasco anchors Franklin County in Washington, where the Columbia and Snake rivers connect local history with a wider travel landscape.
The Local Story
Franklin County was organized in 1883 from part of Whitman County and named for Benjamin Franklin. Ainsworth held the earlier seat before railway-related relocation brought county government to Pasco in 1886.
Explore The County
Begin with Pasco's courthouse history, then use local historical interpretation to follow the earlier Ainsworth connection. Railway and aviation themes can provide separate focuses for a visit.
Follow the transport connections that shaped a county's civic center.
A Closer Look
Franklin County
Places and perspectives from Franklin County
Tri-Cities news · Tri-Cities
Nuclear waste made workers sick. Despite a law meant to help, DOE keeps fighting their claims
Lonnie Rouse shuffled into a wood-paneled conference room at the Washington state Capitol in March 2018. It had…
Read the Story Oct 26, 2026 • Read at sourceAround Franklin County
Local coverage first, followed by Washington and national updates when needed.
Tri-Cities news · Tri-Cities
Nuclear waste made workers sick. Despite a law meant to help, DOE keeps fighting their claims
Lonnie Rouse shuffled into a wood-paneled conference room at the Washington state Capitol in March 2018. It had…
Oct 26, 2026 • Read at source
Tri-Cities news · Tri-Cities
Heritage receives $2.5M grant to expand nursing education
Toppenish-based Heritage University recently received a $2.5 million federal grant intended to create a new pathway for rural…
Oct 26, 2026 • Read at source
Tri-Cities news · Tri-Cities
Avian influenza detected in Benton County dairy herd
State agriculture officials announced they have found highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, in a Benton County dairy…
Oct 26, 2026 • Read at source
Tri-Cities news · Tri-Cities
Survey: Cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans rises again
The price health insurance companies charge for employer-sponsored plans increased again this year, as did the deductible many…
Oct 25, 2026 • Read at source
Tri-Cities news · Tri-Cities
Largest gas pipeline network in Northwest could grow
The Oklahoma-based company that owns one of the largest gas pipeline networks in the Northwest is beginning to…
Oct 25, 2026 • Read at source
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Franklin County government — County offices and public services.
Departments and services — Find the office responsible for your request.
Washington state services — State agencies and programs.
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Kahlotus Elem & High – Other; grades PK-12. 100 W MARTIN ST, KAHLOTUS, WA 99335. 509-282-3338.
Connell Elem – Elementary; grades KG-06. 1001 W. Clark St, Connell, WA 99326. 509-234-4381.
Edwin Markham Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-05. 4031 ELM ROAD, PASCO, WA 99301. 509-543-6790.
Star Elem School – Elementary; grades KG-06. 24180 Pasco-Kahlotus Rd., Pasco, WA 99301. 509-547-2704.
Connell High School – High; grades 09-12. 1131 W. Clark St., Connell, WA 99326. 509-234-2911.
Robert L Olds Junior High School – Middle; grades 07-08. 1100 W. Clark St., Connell, WA 99326. 509-234-3931.
Connell Preschool – Prekindergarten; grades PK-PK. 110 N. Chelan St., Connell, WA 99326. 509-234-9218.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Lourdes Medical Center – Critical Access Hospitals. 520 N Fourth Avenue, Pasco, WA 99301. 509-546-2278.
Public Safety
For an emergency, call 911. Use the department website for non-emergency contact information.
Franklin County sheriff — Law enforcement information and departmental contacts.
Emergency Services
Call 911 for an immediate emergency.
Emergency management — Preparedness resources and local alerts.
National Weather Service — Forecasts and weather warnings; search by location.
Ready.gov — Household emergency planning.
State Parks
Sacajawea Historical State Park — Park information, maps and current notices.
Find Washington state parks — Search additional parks and activities.
Discover Pass — Parking pass information.
Trails
Sacajawea Historical State Park maps and visitor information — Review the park map and current trail notices before a visit.
Utilities
Franklin PUD — Service, billing and outage information. Confirm whether this provider serves your address.
County public works — County infrastructure and public works services.
Electricity, gas, water, sewer and waste services can have different providers. Check service boundaries for the specific property.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Basin City Branch Library – 50-A N. Canal Blvd., Basin City, WA 99343. 509-269-4201.
Connell Branch Library – 118 N. Columbia, Connell, WA 99326. 509-234-4971.
Merrill'S Corner Branch Library – 5240 Eltopia West Rd, Eltopia, WA 99330. 509-546-8051.
Kahlotus Branch Library – 225 E Weston St, Kahlotus, WA 99335. 509-282-3493.
Pasco Branch Library – 1320 W. Hopkins, Pasco, WA 99301. 509-545-1019.
West Pasco Branch Library – 7525 Wrigley Drive, Pasco, WA 99301. 509-546-8055.
Courts
Franklin County court services — Court information and local contacts.
Washington Courts directory — Choose Franklin County to find superior, district, municipal and juvenile courts.
DMV
Washington — Renew or replace a driver license
Washington — Find a driver licensing office
Washington — Renew or replace vehicle tabs
Transportation
Ben Franklin Transit — Routes, schedules, rider information and service-area details.
WSDOT maps — State highway maps and travel planning.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Franklin County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Franklin County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
102,612 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
1,264.959 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with Courts, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
For emergencies, call 911.
Franklin County sheriff — Use the official department page for non-emergency contacts and services.
Franklin County government — Find county departments, public meetings and services.
Start with these official Washington resources: Renew or replace a driver license; Find a driver licensing office; Renew or replace vehicle tabs. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
The VA explains how to find and appoint an accredited representative for benefit claims. Contact a representative to confirm availability before appointing them. For education benefits, use the GI Bill application guidance. These are national VA services available to eligible local residents, rather than a listing of county offices.
Franklin County was organized in 1883 from part of Whitman County and named for Benjamin Franklin. Ainsworth held the earlier seat before railway-related relocation brought county government to Pasco in 1886. Regular airmail service added another transportation chapter in 1926. The courthouse history and local historical society's accounts connect these events with the surrounding river landscape. Together they show how the county's civic location and commercial connections changed with different transport systems rather than developing independently of them.
Begin with Pasco's courthouse history, then use local historical interpretation to follow the earlier Ainsworth connection. Railway and aviation themes can provide separate focuses for a visit. Choose a specific public riverfront destination if adding an outdoor stop, since the Columbia and Snake are large geographic references rather than single attractions. Comparing historical maps with present streets can make the seat's movement easier to understand.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 1,241.596 square miles of land and 23.363 square miles of water in Franklin County. The county’s total area includes both. These are geographic measurements for that Census vintage, not a measurement of current water levels or public recreation access.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make Time to ExploreBrowse local places by the kind of day you have in mind.
Explore Franklin County
Featured local businesses
Parks and outdoor places
Sacajawea Historical State Park — Plan a visit using the official park information.
Getting around
A New Stop, a Local ConnectionExplore the Listings Below