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CITY

Smithfield

North Carolina · 13,114 residents (2025 est.) · 12.702 sq mi
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The short version

Smithfield has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $43,270. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $242,500. With a median age of 44.9, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. The poverty rate of 27.3% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 40% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 44.9
US median: 38.9
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 39%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
12,116
+5%since 2000
from 11,510 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
954 / sq mi
+5%since 2000
from 906 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
44.9
+15%since 2000
from 38.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:13,114 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
7K9K10K12K13K1990201020202024Smithfield
202412K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,270
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,813 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,986
+72%since 2000
from $18,012 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
30.4%
+6.2 ptssince 2009
from 24.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
27.3%
+6.7 ptssince 2000
from 20.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.550
+18%since 2010
from 0.465 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information18%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade10.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade9.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance3.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services2.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration1.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$242,500
+39%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $96,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$658
−27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $492 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
58.7%
+5.2 ptssince 2000
from 53.5% in 2000
41.3% rent
Vacancy rate
11.9%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 12.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
36.5%
+10.4 ptssince 2009
from 26.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
60.0%
+22.4 ptssince 2009
from 37.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.6
+62%since 2000
from 3.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
50
RELATED:See current rent listings in Smithfield on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic57.4%(6,611)
Black30.9%(3,554)
Hispanic / Latino9.9%(1,140)
Asian0.6%(73)
Other0%
Diversity Score69.3%(7,982)
2024
White, non-Hispanic59.5%(7,206)
Black23.1%(2,798)
Hispanic / Latino13.8%(1,666)
Asian1.9%(227)
Other1.8%(219)
Diversity Score71.7%(8,683)
Diversity Score
72
+3%since 2000
from 69 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.7%
+8.3 ptssince 2000
from 18.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
83.0%
+13.6 ptssince 2000
from 69.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
8.9%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 5.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.1 min
+37%since 2000
from 17.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
82.7%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 80.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.0%
−4.1 ptssince 2009
from 12.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.1%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.9%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
10.5%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 13.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.2%
−4.7 ptssince 2011
from 11.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
52.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2011
from 52.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.8%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 19.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
38.4%
−26.0 ptssince 2009
from 64.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.7%
+5.9 ptssince 2009
from 42.9% in 2009
Female
51.3%
−5.9 ptssince 2009
from 57.1% in 2009
Foreign born
7.9%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 8.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.0%
−34.7 ptssince 2009
from 42.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
22.7%
+3.7 ptssince 2012
from 19.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
10.0%
−71.2 ptssince 2013
from 81.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
83.1%
+20.6 ptssince 2017
from 62.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
87.7%
+4.9 ptssince 2016
from 82.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
11.4%
−3.6 ptssince 2016
from 15.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Smithfield, North Carolina?

Smithfield, North Carolina has about 12,116 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Smithfield, North Carolina?

The typical household in Smithfield, North Carolina earns about $43,270 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Smithfield, North Carolina expensive?

In Smithfield, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $242,500, and the typical rent is about $658 a month.

How educated are people in Smithfield, North Carolina?

About 26.7% of adults age 25 and over in Smithfield, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Smithfield, North Carolina?

About 27.3% of people in Smithfield, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Smithfield, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Smithfield, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 4,576 residents, a change of about 61 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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