Healthcare · Hampton
Franklin General Hospital
Hospital and health services serving Franklin County.
1720 Central Ave E · 641-456-5000
✦ GO FRANKLIN · NORTH CENTRAL IOWA
Go Franklin
Find your place. Grow your future.
Discover a county where hometown connections meet extraordinary opportunity. From historic main streets and beautiful open spaces to growing careers and welcoming neighborhoods.
THE HEART OF OUR COUNTYFranklin County Courthouse · Built 1891
Discover. Explore.
Live. Grow.
Live. Grow.
Background: original illustrated Iowa countryside, not a geographic photograph. Courthouse: Calvin Beale / USDA, public domain.
GO FRANKLIN · WELCOME TO FRANKLIN COUNTYSmall-town roots.
Small-town roots.
Big-picture thinking.
From the courthouse square in Hampton to the golf greens in Sheffield and Latimer, Franklin County combines rural hospitality with the services people and employers rely on. Explore the communities, employers, parks, schools and local organizations that make this part of Iowa special.
Meet our communities →10,019County residents 2020 Census
12Communities 10 cities + 2 CDPs
99 acresBeeds Lake reservoir Iowa DNR
2026NIACC Career Center Opened in Hampton
OUR COMMUNITIES
View all 12 communities →One county. Many hometowns.
01 / EXPLORE
Hampton
Historic courthouse square, community healthcare, and a regional business hub.
4,337 residents · 2020 Census↗02 / EXPLORESheffield
Local enterprise, schools, recreation and Ridge Stone Golf Club.
1,130 residents · 2020 Census↗03 / EXPLORELatimer
Community traditions, the public Latimer Golf Club and nearby farmland.
477 residents · 2020 Census↗04 / EXPLOREAckley
A rail-era downtown and strong connections to northeast Franklin County.
1,599 residents · 2020 Census↗OUR STORY · FRANKLIN COUNTY, IOWARooted in history.
Rooted in history.
Growing together.
Franklin County’s landscape has been shaped by prairie, farming, railroads and generations of neighbors who built its towns. Surveying of the area took place between 1849 and 1852. The early settlements of Maysville and Benjamin were platted in 1856; Benjamin later became Hampton, the county seat.
The arrival of the Central Iowa Railroad through Hampton in 1870 helped connect the agricultural county to a growing region. Hampton was incorporated the same year. The present red-brick and stone Franklin County Courthouse was completed in 1891 and remains a defining local landmark.
Today the county’s historic downtowns, schools, manufacturers, family businesses and recreational spaces build on that heritage.
Explore the Historical Society ↗WORK & INVESTMore than a location.
More than a location.
A launchpad.
Discover businesses, workforce connections, local lenders and a community ready for your next chapter.
Explore business opportunities →THE NEXT GENERATIONTraining tomorrow’s
Training tomorrow’s
talent, today.
Meet Hampton’s new NIACC Franklin County Career Center, opened in July 2026.
Learn about the career center →THE LOCAL CONNECTION
Browse the directory →Discover local favorites.
Education · Hampton
North Iowa Area Community College — Franklin County Career Center
Career and technical learning for participating area high school students.
1276 Olive Ave
Recreation · Hampton
Hampton Country Club
Nine-hole tree-lined golf course and clubhouse.
1620 Country Club Ln · 641-456-3256
Recreation · Sheffield
Ridge Stone Golf Club
Public nine-hole links-style course and par-three short course.
7 Brickyard Rd · 641-892-8040
MARK YOUR CALENDARThere's always
There's always
something happening.
Farm traditions, festivals, local gatherings and events that bring neighbors together. Find the next reason to get out and enjoy Franklin County.
See the full event calendar →31Oct
Hampton · 700 2nd Street SE
Community Halloween Trick-or-Treat
Community trick-or-treat activity as listed by the Greater Franklin County Chamber.
31Oct
Hampton · Hampton
Halloween Howl
A Halloween community event listed by the Greater Franklin County Chamber.
14Nov
Hampton · 420 1st Avenue NE
Good News Unplugged Tour
An evening performance listed on the Greater Franklin County Chamber calendar.
READY TO CALL THIS PLACE HOME?
Go Franklin Your next chapter starts here.
Find your home, discover services, meet local businesses and get connected.
Make your move →ONE COUNTY · EVERYDAY CONNECTIONSEverything Franklin County, Iowa
Everything Franklin County, Iowa
at your fingertips.
Tourism & recreation
From Beeds Lake to golf courses, parks and the county fair.
Explore the county →Community essentials
Find public health, fire departments, libraries, parks, airports and postal services in one view.
Browse all local services →Service organizations
Discover Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions, and veterans organizations serving our communities.
Get connected →Your elected officials
See the leaders and offices serving your community, county and state.
Find officials →Advertise on Go Franklin
Put your business in front of Franklin County residents and visitors.
See rates & placements →Business profiles
Claim and manage your contact information, logo and social media profiles.
Create business account →