Franklin, city, seat of Williamson County, central Tennessee, on the Harpeth River. It is a suburb of Nashville with some light industry. O'More College of Design (1970) and a community college are here. Officially founded as the county seat in 1799, the community was the site of two American Civil War battles, including the important Battle of Franklin (November 30, 1864). Population 12,407 (1980); 20,098 (1990); 41,842 (2000).
