Franklin County Government exists to enrich social, economic, and environmental vitality. Franklin County will provide services which are responsive to the health, safety, and general welfare needs of county residents. The county government is dedicated to providing these services through the efficient and effective use of the county's available resources in an honest, open, and caring manner. Franklin County is a county located in South Central Pennsylvania; it lies to a large extent within the Cumberland Valley. Originally part of Lancaster County (1729), then Cumberland County (1750), Franklin County became an independent jurisdiction on September 9, 1784, named in honor of Founding Father Benjamin Franklin.[3] The population of the county as of the 2010 census is 149,618. The entire county of Franklin makes up the Chambersburg, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area.