Smithfield, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Smithfield is a small city in North Carolina with a population of 11,798. Residents earn $37,827 per year, which is 50% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
11,798 Population 929/sq mi density
$37,827 Median Income $27,031 per capita
$217,000 Home Value $290,117 Zillow
$601 Median Rent
62°F Avg Temperature
726 Violent Crime/100K 5,743 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$37,827 median income, 3.8% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.4 / 5.0
$217,000 home value, $601/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
726 violent crimes/100K (91% above avg)
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
26.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $37,827
50% lower than US avg
Home Value $217,000
23% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 726/100K
91% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 26.0%
23% lower than US avg
Median Rent $601
48% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.5%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.8%
6% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 24.3%
96% higher than US avg

How Smithfield Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population11,798
Median Age42.7 yrs
Density929/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 60%

Economy

C+
Median Income$37,827
Per Capita$27,031
Unemployment3.8%
Poverty24.3%
County GDP$11,573M
Commute24 min

Housing

B
Home Value$217,000
Rent$601
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$290,117

Crime

F
Violent726/100K
Property5,743/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault487/100K
Burglary880/100K

Health

Obesity39.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.7%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain49.4 in/yr
Elevation124 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+26.0%
High School+78.8%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 60% / D 39%
Commute24 min
EV Stations7
Libraries7

Is Smithfield a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Smithfield receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Smithfield has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Smithfield is $37,827, 50% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.8%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 24.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Smithfield is $217,000, 23% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $601 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 5.7x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 726 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 5,743 per 100,000, 193% above the national average.

Education

26.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 78.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Smithfield enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 49.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Smithfield has a population of 11,798 with a density of 929 people per square mile. The median age is 42.7 years, 10% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (60%), with 1.4% Hispanic, 26.3% Black.

Population

11,798
Total Population
929
People / sq mi
42.7yrs
Median Age
10% above US avg
12.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49%
Female 51%

Race & Ethnicity

Smithfield vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only84.6%
8% above US avg
Spanish15.4%
15% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Smithfield vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Smithfield is $37,827, which is 50% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 24.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Smithfield vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$37,827
50% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,031
Avg Weekly Wage$1,064
IRS Avg AGI$73,009

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.8%
6% above US avg
Poverty Rate24.3%
96% above US avg
Establishments (County)5,104
County GDP$11,573M

Business (County)

Restaurants352
Healthcare353
Retail575
Manufacturing117

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,488
0% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.61%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.0 min
Work from Home4.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Smithfield is $217,000, 23% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $601 (48% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $290,117.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$217,000
23% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$290,117
Median List Price$297,400

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$297,400
$/Sq Ft$148
Homes Sold9
Sale-to-List Ratio99.2%
Price Drops10.8%
Inventory83

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$601
48% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,642

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$932
1 Bedroom$981
2 Bedrooms$1,161
3 Bedrooms$1,499
4 Bedrooms$1,780

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied49.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,488
0% below US avg
Effective Rate1.61%
In Smithfield, 39.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.7% report depression. 31.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Smithfield vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.5%
23% above US avg
Diabetes14.1%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure37.7%
Asthma11.5%
COPD8.4%
Stroke4.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.8%
Physical Inactivity31.0%
Depression24.7%
Mental Distress19.1%
Physical Distress15.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.1%
Checkup Rate78.3%
Premature Death8,163/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access96.8%
Healthcare Facilities353
Smithfield has a violent crime rate of 726 per 100,000 residents, 91% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 5,743 per 100,000 (193% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Smithfield vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent726.4/100K
91% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape25.6/100K
Robbery213.6/100K
Assault487.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property5,742.6/100K
193% above US avg
Burglary880.2/100K
Theft4,683.0/100K
Vehicle Theft179.5/100K
Arson42.7/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)35

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Smithfield has an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 49.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average61.6°F
14% above US avg
January Average43°F (6°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall49.4 inches
30% above US avg
Snowfall0.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation124 ft (38 m)
Area12.7 sq mi (32.9 km²)
Population Density929/sq mi
Coordinates35.5238°N, 78.3522°W
County FIPS37101
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 26.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (23% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 21.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 60.2%
D 38.7%

Winner: Republican by 21.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+26.0%
23% below US avg
High School+78.8%
School Test Score5.46
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density929/sq mi
Total Area12.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations7
Alt Fuel Stations9
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities353
Restaurants352
Retail Stores575

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)35
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.0 min
Work from Home4.9%

Nearby Cities

Compare Smithfield with another city: