Smithfield town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Smithfield town, North Carolina has a total population of 11,798, the 83rd largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $37,827, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.2% is notably above the national average.
Smithfield town Quick Facts
How Smithfield town Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 57 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Smithfield town Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Johnston County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton town | 28,043 | $73,348 | 8.1% | $292,400 |
| Selma town | 6,611 | $37,440 | 27.1% | $161,100 |
| Pine Level town | 2,072 | $72,663 | 7.4% | $228,000 |
| Micro town | 788 | $51,094 | 21.9% | $212,500 |
Cities Similar to Smithfield town
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincolnton city | 11,503 | $43,294 | $224,600 | 19.4% | 18.4% |
| Kings Mountain city | 11,472 | $45,507 | $177,700 | 17.0% | 23.7% |
| Mount Airy city | 10,631 | $39,873 | $176,600 | 24.3% | 27.1% |
| Spring Lake town | 11,613 | $50,497 | $101,300 | 24.8% | 20.9% |
| Tarboro town | 10,705 | $49,386 | $155,500 | 25.4% | 19.8% |
Population Overview
Smithfield town is a small city located in North Carolina, within Johnston County. The total population is 11,798. It ranks as the 83rd most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Smithfield town is 42.7 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Smithfield town is $37,827. This is 46% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 52% lower. The poverty rate stands at 31.4%. This is 139% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 8.2%. This is 69% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $217,000. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.7x. 49.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Smithfield town is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 26.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (17.8% vs 10.9%).
Education
26.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 25% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 78.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Smithfield town, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 774 Census-designated places in North Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Smithfield town, North Carolina?
Smithfield town, North Carolina has a population of 11,798 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Smithfield town, NC?
The median household income in Smithfield town is $37,827, which is 52% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Smithfield town, NC?
The poverty rate in Smithfield town is 31.4%. This means approximately 3,410 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Smithfield town, North Carolina?
Smithfield town's population is 52.9% White, 26.3% Black, 17.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Smithfield town, NC?
The median home value in Smithfield town is $217,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.7x.
How educated is Smithfield town, North Carolina?
26.0% of adults (25+) in Smithfield town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.