A young city on an old township
New Franklin became a city in 2006, but the land has been Franklin Township since 1817. Part of the township became the Village of New Franklin in 1997, reportedly to head off annexation by neighboring cities. Voters approved merging the village and township in November 2003, the merger took effect on January 1, 2005, and New Franklin became a city on March 5, 2006.
In 2007, voters turned down renaming the city Portage Lakes, 57% to 42%. Many residents still use the lake name, and some property records and listings do too.
Why this matters when you sell:
- Older deeds and surveys may say Franklin Township. The title company works from the current parcel, so that’s normal.
- Population figures before 2010 don’t line up with today’s city, so treat any old statistics with caution.
Houses on and near the Portage Lakes
New Franklin has about 1.6 square miles of water, and Portage Lakes State Park sits partly inside it. Lakefront and lake-view homes are a large part of its appeal, and they sell differently from the rest of the city.
Things a lake-area seller should have ready:
- Any dock, seawall or shoreline permits, plus the history of repairs.
- Flood insurance records, if you have them.
- Septic or well records. Summit County requires a point-of-sale inspection on any home with its own septic system or well.
For a lake house that’s dated or has a failing system, an as-is sale can save a season of repairs. For an updated lakefront home, listing is likely to do better.
Where New Franklin’s borders run
New Franklin touches three counties, which is worth knowing when buyers ask where a house is. Coventry Township, Barberton and Norton sit to the north, Green to the east, and the village of Clinton to the southwest. To the west is Chippewa Township in Wayne County, and to the south is Lawrence Township in Stark County. A house near the south or west edge may share a road with Stark or Wayne County neighbors but still pays Summit County taxes and follows Summit’s rules.
Four school districts serve New Franklin
New Franklin is split among four public school districts:
| Area | District |
|---|---|
| Eastern half | Manchester Local |
| Northern part | Coventry Local |
| Western part, and the village of Clinton | Northwest Local |
| Far northwest | Norton City |
Buyers often search by district, so look up your parcel before you price the house or write a listing.
Big lots, single-family homes and septic
New Franklin is almost all single-family homes: 91% are detached houses, and 88% are owner-occupied. The median house was built in 1963. About 3% of homes are mobile homes.
The city covers about 26.6 square miles with roughly 13,900 people, so many lots are larger than in Akron or Barberton. Where a house has its own septic system or well, the county inspection comes into play. The inspector needs the septic lids exposed and access inside, and the tank should not be pumped beforehand. The septic and well inspection guide covers the steps, and selling a house with septic problems explains your options if the system fails.
City offices and the rest of the closing
New Franklin has no city point-of-sale inspection. City hall is at 5611 Manchester Road, 330-882-4324.
The rest of a New Franklin sale follows Summit County’s rules: the $4 per $1,000 conveyance fee paid by the seller, probate through the Summit County court in Akron, and sheriff and tax sales run by the county. The Summit County page explains each one.
When you’re ready, request a written offer. Bob can see a lake house or a large-lot home in one visit.