Franklin, Louisiana

Overview

As a major retail destination in Franklin, Louisiana, Walmart occupies a central position within the regional infrastructure. This retail store connects residents across multiple incorporated places, making it a focal point for the surrounding area. Analyzing the population within a 30-minute drive sheds light on how this location fits into the broader community network.

Population catchment

The catchment area surrounding Walmart includes 11 incorporated communities with a combined population of roughly 32,151. Franklin anchors this population base at 6,728 residents, comprising approximately 21% of the total. Patterson and Jeanerette, with populations of 5,931 and 4,813 respectively, round out the top three communities by population in the 30-minute radius. The distribution of population across these communities paints a picture of the regional demographic landscape.

Regional dependence

The data reveals that 9 communities out of 11 near Walmart have fewer than 5,000 residents. These smaller incorporated places look to Franklin and its surrounding infrastructure for commerce, employment, and civic services. This hub-and-spoke dynamic underscores how locations like Walmart function as critical nodes in the regional network of Louisiana.

Geographic interpretation

The rural nature of the area around Walmart is reflected in the population data. Most communities in the catchment have populations below 10,000, reflecting a predominantly rural region with dispersed settlement. With Franklin as the primary urban anchor and numerous smaller places in the vicinity, the region displays a dispersed demographic pattern. The median community size of 1,762 residents reveals that the majority of incorporated places in the area are considerably smaller relative to Franklin. These geographic factors contribute to the significance of Walmart within the surrounding community network.