Population 12,160 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in North Smithfield
Household size in North Smithfield
| Period | North Smithfield | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.58 | 2.53 | 2.52 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.60 | 2.54 | 2.52 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.55 | 2.53 | 2.53 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.50 | 2.49 | 2.49 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.08 | −0.05 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
The average household in North Smithfield has 2.50 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has edged down from 2.58 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the southwest.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in North Smithfield
| Period | North Smithfield | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 46.8 | 39.5 | 39.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 47.4 | 40.5 | 40.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.1 | 41.4 | 41.4 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 45.5 | 41.7 | 41.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | −1.3 | +2.2 | +2.2 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 45.5, North Smithfield is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has dropped from 46.8 in 2006–10, even as the national median rose. The youngest areas are in the east, the oldest in the north.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in North Smithfield
| Period | North Smithfield | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.5% | 12.5% | 12.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.7% | 12.4% | 12.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.0% | 11.9% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.4% | 12.1% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.8 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.7 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 8.4% of households in North Smithfield, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is up 1.8 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in North Smithfield
Renters in North Smithfield
| Period | North Smithfield | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.6% | 37.0% | 37.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 30.9% | 39.0% | 39.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.1% | 38.6% | 39.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 24.2% | 36.8% | 36.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.6 pts | −0.1 pts | −1.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
North Smithfield is largely a place of homeowners: only 24.2% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 32.6% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 2.6 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in North Smithfield
| Period | North Smithfield | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.7% | 10.3% | 11.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 10.8% | 10.5% | 11.4% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.5% | 10.7% | 12.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 5.1% | 7.9% | 9.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | −2.4 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in North Smithfield: just 5.1% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. Vacancy has fallen 1.5 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. North Smithfield has a lower vacancy rate than the great majority of Rhode Island cities.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in North Smithfield
| Period | North Smithfield | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1964 | 1959 | 1957 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1965 | 1959 | 1958 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1965 | 1960 | 1959 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1971 | 1962 | 1961 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +3 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in North Smithfield is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1971, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. Even so, homes here are newer than in the Providence area overall, where the median home dates to 1962. The median year built has moved up from 1964 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the south, the oldest in the east.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in North Smithfield
| Period | North Smithfield | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $986 | $928 | $941 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,054 | $974 | $988 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,075 | $1,103 | $1,123 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,138 | $1,439 | $1,448 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$152 | +$511 | +$507 | +$606 |
A typical rental in North Smithfield costs $1,138 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $152 a month since 2006–10, up 15%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 24.3% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Only one other Rhode Island city with 5,000+ people has lower rents.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in North Smithfield
Bachelor's degrees in North Smithfield
| Period | North Smithfield | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.4% | 28.5% | 30.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 27.9% | 29.6% | 31.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 31.2% | 32.4% | 34.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 33.4% | 35.2% | 37.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.0 pts | +6.7 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
About a third of adults 25 and older in North Smithfield (33.4%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 5.0 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in North Smithfield
| Period | North Smithfield | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 85.3% | 82.1% | 83.2% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 88.8% | 83.9% | 84.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.5% | 87.5% | 88.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.8% | 88.3% | 89.4% | 89.3% |
| Change | +8.5 pts | +6.2 pts | +6.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in North Smithfield is above the national rate: 93.8% of adults have a diploma, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 8.5 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in North Smithfield
| Period | North Smithfield | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.6% | 8.5% | 8.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.0% | 10.0% | 9.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.5% | 5.5% | 5.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.7% | 5.8% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in North Smithfield has been strong: just 2.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has edged down 0.9 points, in line with the national trend. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
North Smithfield compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Smithfield | 2.50 | 45.5 | 8.4% | 24.2% | 5.1% | 1971 | $1,138 | 33.4% | 93.8% | 2.7% |
| Woonsocket | 2.54 | 37.7 | 22.1% | 62.8% | 9.4% | 1953 | $1,223 | 19.2% | 83.0% | 6.5% |
| Slatersville | 2.73 | 41.2 | 4.2% | 23.8% | 4.1% | 1967 | $1,160 | 25.0% | 85.6% | 3.8% |
| Blackstone | 2.39 | 43.1 | 11.3% | 27.4% | 4.4% | 1970 | $1,257 | 30.2% | 95.3% | 2.6% |
| Millville | 2.66 | 44.6 | 4.6% | 13.4% | 2.1% | 1970 | $1,449 | 31.5% | 93.6% | 3.0% |
| Manville | 2.72 | 40.0 | 14.7% | 34.0% | 4.7% | 1963 | $1,706 | 36.9% | 90.9% | 9.8% |
| Cumberland Hill | 2.58 | 41.5 | 7.4% | 16.5% | 2.4% | 1979 | $1,330 | 48.2% | 95.2% | 3.3% |
| Oakland | 2.69 | 39.4 | 4.5% | 27.9% | 5.0% | 1963 | $1,183 | 24.7% | 84.1% | 5.3% |
| Harrisville | 2.50 | 43.7 | 6.2% | 20.4% | 5.7% | 1968 | $1,155 | 24.3% | 91.4% | 6.6% |
| Mapleville | 2.51 | 47.6 | 18.3% | 4.4% | 5.0% | 1980 | $1,242 | 30.8% | 98.7% | 2.0% |
| Stillwater | 2.83 | 42.5 | 5.5% | 9.3% | 2.9% | 1972 | $979 | 38.3% | 94.2% | 3.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Blanchard, OK · Winston, GA · Willowbrook, IL · Bridge City, TX · Brandon, SD · Boyds, MD · Bonne Terre, MO · Bonifay, FL · Bluff City, TN · Wood River, IL
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up North Smithfield. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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