Towns Near Franklin, TN: Nine Places Within 40 Minutes of the Square

Franklin is where you want to be. Then you see the prices or the lot sizes, and you start asking what's ten or twenty minutes out. Each town around Franklin is a different deal. The county line, the city limits and the school district change what you pay every year, and they change what you can build.

I live in Canterbury in Thompson's Station. My mom lives in McDaniel Farms in College Grove, and I own a historic home near the square in Columbia that I renovated myself. I've been selling real estate since 2013 and I've been part of more than 500 transactions. Below is every town I work around Franklin, with the drive, the tax rate and the school district for each one, and a source for every number. If you want to talk through which one fits what you're after, DM me, text or call 615-392-1186.

What towns are near Franklin, TN?

Thompson's Station and Leiper's Fork are the closest by road, about 15 minutes from Franklin's Public Square, and Columbia is the farthest of the nine at about 37 minutes. I routed every drive with OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM) on October 23, 2026, from each town's city hall or, for the unincorporated communities, from the community's point on OpenStreetMap, to the Public Square. These are drive times with no traffic.

The tax column is the combined county and city rate for a home inside that town's limits, or the county rate alone for the unincorporated communities. Incorporation and county come from the U.S. Census Bureau's place records and its geocoder, checked October 23, 2026. A Franklin mailing address doesn't tell you which of these applies. My guide to Franklin ZIP codes explains why.

Property tax figures are the county and city rates published for the year shown and are for planning only. Your actual bill depends on the assessed value, any exemptions and the city or district the home sits in. Confirm with the county assessor or trustee and your tax professional before you rely on a number.

How far is Thompson's Station from Franklin?

Thompson's Station is about 8.8 miles and 14 minutes from Franklin's Public Square, measured from the town's offices on Fountain View Boulevard. It's an incorporated town in Williamson County, it became a town on August 15, 1990, and the 2020 Census counted 7,485 residents. For 2026 a home inside the town pays $1.403 per $100 of assessed value: $1.30 to Williamson County and $0.103 to the Town.

The Town's 2023 All Aboard plan splits its growth into "Town" and "Country" development concepts, and the slogan that came out of it is "where Town meets Country." That's the trade I see every day from Canterbury. Thompson's Station is close to both Spring Hill and Franklin, but it's not as congested, and you're still close to everything. Start with my Thompson's Station guide and listings, then the side-by-side comparisons: Thompson's Station vs Franklin and Thompson's Station vs Spring Hill.

How far is Leiper's Fork from Franklin?

Leiper's Fork is about 8.5 miles and 15 minutes from the Public Square by Old Hillsboro Road. It's an unincorporated village in Williamson County, so there's no city tax: a home pays the county rate of $1.30 per $100 of assessed value for 2026.

Williamson County's Leiper's Fork Village Special Area Plan describes the village as about 110 parcels on about 1,100 acres, generally rural, with the Natchez Trace Parkway as its northern boundary. The plan also notes that soils poorly suited to septic systems have slowed growth there. So on any Leiper's Fork house or tract, find out what the septic permit allows before you fall for the view. The county adopted its own Leiper's Fork Village zoning standards on November 13, 2012.

How far is Arrington from Franklin?

Arrington is about 10.1 miles and 15 minutes east of the Public Square on Murfreesboro Road (SR 96). It's an unincorporated community in Williamson County and pays the county rate of $1.30 per $100 of assessed value for 2026.

Williamson County's Arrington Village Special Area Plan, adopted March 20, 2025, describes the Arrington community as about 25 square miles of eastern Williamson County matching the 37014 ZIP code, generally rural. The village core at Murfreesboro Road and Wilson Pike has 37 parcels on about 325 acres, and 26 of those parcels are single-family homes on about 244 acres. The county says the plan isn't meant to bring new development, only to guide it if it comes.

How far is Brentwood from Franklin?

Brentwood is about 9.8 miles and 17 minutes north of the Public Square, measured from City Hall on Maryland Way. It's an incorporated city in Williamson County, incorporated in 1969. For 2026 a home inside the city pays $1.49 per $100 of assessed value: $1.30 to the county and $0.19 to the City of Brentwood.

Brentwood's residential standards are built on what the city calls "one acre density," one acre of land for each home, and its R-2 Suburban Residential district requires a one-acre minimum lot. The city lists 14 parks, trails and greenways. Compare it with the town south of Franklin in Thompson's Station vs Brentwood.

Is Spring Hill in Williamson County or Maury County?

Both. Spring Hill is an incorporated city that crosses the county line. City Hall on Town Center Parkway is on the Maury County side, about 13.8 miles and 22 minutes from the Public Square. From Brixworth Drive on the Williamson County side it's about 15.7 miles and 23 minutes, because the route runs out to I-65.

The side you're on changes two things. For 2026 a home inside the city pays $2.009 per $100 of assessed value on the Williamson side ($1.27 county plus $0.739 city) and $2.108 on the Maury side ($1.369 county plus $0.739 city). The Williamson side is served by Williamson County Schools and the Maury side by Maury County Public Schools. Toll Brothers at August Park, 31 single-family homes at Round Hill Lane and Harmony Road, is one Williamson-side example. Toll's September 16, 2025 release says it's served by Williamson County Schools. I break the split down in Spring Hill: Williamson vs Maury County and Spring Hill property taxes. The Spring Hill hub has the current listings, and Franklin vs Spring Hill puts the two side by side.

How far is Fairview from Franklin?

Fairview is about 18.9 miles and 25 minutes from the Public Square, measured from City Hall on City Center Way. It's an incorporated city on the western edge of Williamson County, and the city's own site points visitors to the trails and lakes of Bowie Nature Park. For 2026 a home inside the city pays $2.1404 per $100 of assessed value: $1.30 to the county and $0.8404 to the City of Fairview.

How far is College Grove from Franklin?

College Grove is about 18 miles and 27 minutes southeast of the Public Square, measured from the community's point on OpenStreetMap, on Horton Highway. It's unincorporated, so a home pays the Williamson County rate of $1.30 per $100 of assessed value for 2026.

Williamson County's College Grove Village Special Area Plan describes the College Grove community as about 64 square miles of southeastern Williamson County matching the 37046 ZIP code, generally rural, around a small village center with a mix of commercial, institutional and residential uses. My mom lives in McDaniel Farms, so I'm on these roads a lot. The College Grove hub has the listings, and Falls Grove is one of its neighborhoods.

How far is Nolensville from Franklin?

Nolensville is about 17.6 miles and 28 minutes from the Public Square, measured from Town Hall on Nolensville Road. It's an incorporated town in the northeast corner of Williamson County. William Nolen founded it in 1797, and it was re-incorporated in 1996. For 2026 a home inside the town pays $1.64 per $100 of assessed value: $1.30 to the county and $0.34 to the Town of Nolensville.

Along Nolensville Road, from north of Oldham Drive south to York and Williams Roads, the Town's history page says many structures from the 1800s are still in use as homes and stores. The Town covered about three square miles when it re-incorporated and has annexed more land since. See how it compares in Thompson's Station vs Nolensville.

How far is Columbia from Franklin?

Columbia is about 31.1 miles and 37 minutes from Franklin's Public Square, measured from Columbia City Hall on North Garden Street. It's an incorporated city in Maury County. For 2026 a home inside the city pays $1.9758 per $100 of assessed value: $1.369 to Maury County (Resolution 07-26-29) and $0.6068 to the City of Columbia (Ordinance 4586, adopted June 11, 2026). Columbia homes are served by Maury County Public Schools.

Columbia has five local historic overlay districts: Athenaeum, Barrow Court, Downtown Commercial, West 6th Street/Mayes Place, and West 7th Street/West End. Exterior changes there follow the city's historic district design guidelines, ratified by Ordinance 4589 on June 11, 2026. For new builds, see Columbia new construction. Read Living in Columbia, TN, the Columbia hub for listings, and Thompson's Station vs Columbia.

How do property taxes compare in the towns near Franklin?

Inside Franklin's city limits, 2026 property tax runs $1.566 per $100 of assessed value, or $2.2433 if the home is also inside the Franklin Special District. Thompson's Station ($1.403), Brentwood ($1.49) and the unincorporated communities ($1.30) all come in lower. Spring Hill, Fairview and Columbia come in higher than Franklin without the district.

The Williamson rates are from the county's 2026 Property Tax Rates chart, which also lists Spring Hill's $0.739 city rate. Maury County's $1.369 is from Resolution 07-26-29, its levy for the fiscal year that began July 1, 2026. Columbia's $0.6068 is from Ordinance 4586. More on Franklin's side of this in my cost of living in Franklin guide.

Property tax figures are the county and city rates published for the year shown and are for planning only. Your actual bill depends on the assessed value, any exemptions and the city or district the home sits in. Confirm with the county assessor or trustee and your tax professional before you rely on a number.

Which school district serves each town near Franklin?

Williamson County Schools serves every Williamson County address outside the Franklin Special District, and Maury County Public Schools serves Columbia and the Maury County side of Spring Hill. Williamson County Schools describes itself as one of two public school districts in Williamson County, and it requires students to live in the county. The Franklin Special District serves pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in part of the City of Franklin, and its boundaries don't cover the whole city.

The district is only the first answer. The zoned school is a separate one, and Williamson County Schools says zones can change when a school is over capacity or a new one opens. Before you write an offer, run the address through the district's own zone finder: "Find your Zoned School" on the Williamson County Schools site, or the Franklin Special District's address map.

Which town near Franklin should I look at first?

Start with the two things that cost you money every year and the one thing you feel every day: the tax rate, the school district and the drive. The table above has all three. Then look at what you want to own. Brentwood's one-acre minimum, a rural tract near College Grove, a historic house in Columbia and a new build in Spring Hill are four very different purchases, even at the same price.

Tell me your budget, where you'll drive most days and what kind of house or land you want, and I'll tell you which two or three of these I'd tour first and why. DM me, text or call 615-392-1186.

What's my home worth if I'm moving between these towns?

If you already own in Franklin or one of these towns, your sale price sets your budget for the next one. I price off closed sales in your own subdivision first, then widen the search, and I'll show you how your number moves against the town you're looking at. Start with a free home evaluation, or text me the address at 615-392-1186.

Frequently asked questions

What towns are near Franklin, TN?

Nine towns sit within about 40 minutes of downtown Franklin by road: Thompson's Station, Leiper's Fork, Arrington, Brentwood, Spring Hill, Fairview, College Grove, Nolensville and Columbia. All of them are in Williamson County except Columbia, which is in Maury County, and Spring Hill, which sits in both.

What is the closest town to Franklin, TN?

Thompson's Station and Leiper's Fork are the closest by road, about 15 minutes from Franklin's Public Square with no traffic. Thompson's Station is about 8.8 miles from the town's offices, and Leiper's Fork is about 8.5 miles by Old Hillsboro Road. I routed both with OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM) on October 23, 2026.

Which towns near Franklin are unincorporated?

College Grove, Arrington and Leiper's Fork are unincorporated communities in Williamson County, so there's no city government and no city property tax. A home there pays the Williamson County rate of $1.30 per $100 of assessed value for 2026, or $1.9773 if it sits inside the Franklin Special District.

Is Spring Hill in Williamson County or Maury County?

Both. Spring Hill is an incorporated city that crosses the county line. For 2026 a home inside the city pays $2.009 per $100 of assessed value on the Williamson side and $2.108 on the Maury side. The Williamson side is served by Williamson County Schools and the Maury side by Maury County Public Schools.

Which town near Franklin has the lowest property tax?

Among these towns, the unincorporated communities of College Grove, Arrington and Leiper's Fork have the lowest 2026 rate, $1.30 per $100 of assessed value, because they pay only the Williamson County rate. Thompson's Station is next at $1.403, then Brentwood at $1.49. Your actual bill depends on the assessed value, any exemptions and the district the home sits in.

Which school district serves the towns near Franklin?

Williamson County Schools serves every Williamson County address outside the Franklin Special District, including Brentwood, Thompson's Station, Nolensville, Fairview, College Grove, Arrington, Leiper's Fork and the Williamson side of Spring Hill. Maury County Public Schools serves Columbia and the Maury side of Spring Hill. Check any address in the district's own zone finder before you write an offer.

How far is Columbia from Franklin, TN?

Columbia City Hall is about 31.1 miles and 37 minutes from Franklin's Public Square with no traffic, routed with OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM) on October 23, 2026. Columbia is in Maury County, and a home inside the city pays $1.9758 per $100 of assessed value for 2026.

If you're weighing Franklin against the towns around it, text or call me at 615-392-1186, or DM me. Tell me what you want to own and where you'll drive, and I'll narrow it to two or three places worth your Saturday.