Population 14,920 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Smithfield
Household size in Smithfield
| Period | Smithfield | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.48 | 2.53 | 2.52 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.46 | 2.54 | 2.52 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.42 | 2.53 | 2.53 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.45 | 2.49 | 2.49 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.03 | −0.05 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Smithfield run small, averaging 2.45 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. That is in line with the rest of the Providence area. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the center.
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 Smithfield
| Period | Smithfield | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.5 | 39.5 | 39.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 38.8 | 40.5 | 40.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.3 | 41.4 | 41.4 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.8 | 41.7 | 41.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.4 | +2.2 | +2.2 | +2.3 |
At 39.8, the median age in Smithfield is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The population here is younger than in the Providence area overall, where the median age is 41.7. Since 2006–10, the median age has crept up from 39.5, a smaller shift than nationally.
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 Smithfield
| Period | Smithfield | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.1% | 12.5% | 12.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.4% | 12.4% | 12.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.1% | 11.9% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.4% | 12.1% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.7 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Smithfield: 6.4% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has edged down 0.6 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Smithfield
Renters in Smithfield
| Period | Smithfield | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.9% | 37.0% | 37.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.6% | 39.0% | 39.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.4% | 38.6% | 39.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 21.3% | 36.8% | 36.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.4 pts | −0.1 pts | −1.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Smithfield is largely a place of homeowners: only 21.3% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Nearly three in ten owners (28.8%) have paid off their mortgages, well below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 1.4 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Smithfield
| Period | Smithfield | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.8% | 10.3% | 11.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 6.3% | 10.5% | 11.4% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.4% | 10.7% | 12.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 4.1% | 7.9% | 9.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.7 pts | −2.4 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Only 4.1% of homes in Smithfield are vacant, far below the national rate of 9.6%, which usually means strong demand for housing. Vacancy has fallen 3.7 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only two of the 43 Rhode Island cities with 5,000+ people have a lower vacancy rate.
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 Smithfield
| Period | Smithfield | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1972 | 1959 | 1957 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1975 | 1959 | 1958 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1967 | 1960 | 1959 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1975 | 1962 | 1961 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +3 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Smithfield run a bit older than the national norm, with a median build year of 1975 against 1980. 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 1972 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the west, while the center has the oldest housing.
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 Smithfield
| Period | Smithfield | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $848 | $928 | $941 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,058 | $974 | $988 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,230 | $1,103 | $1,123 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,284 | $1,439 | $1,448 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$436 | +$511 | +$507 | +$606 |
The median renter in Smithfield pays $1,284 a month for rent and utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $436 a month from 2006–10, a 51% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 40.0% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the southeast; the highest are in the west.
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 Smithfield
Bachelor's degrees in Smithfield
| Period | Smithfield | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.5% | 28.5% | 30.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 38.1% | 29.6% | 31.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 39.2% | 32.4% | 34.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 39.3% | 35.2% | 37.8% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.8 pts | +6.7 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are a bit more common in Smithfield than nationally: 39.3% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 7.8 points, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the east and least in the west.
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 Smithfield
| Period | Smithfield | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 89.0% | 82.1% | 83.2% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 93.9% | 83.9% | 84.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 93.0% | 87.5% | 88.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 92.3% | 88.3% | 89.4% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.3 pts | +6.2 pts | +6.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Smithfield is a bit above the national rate: 92.3% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 3.3 points, as it has nationally.
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 Smithfield
| Period | Smithfield | Providence area | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.1% | 8.5% | 8.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.9% | 10.0% | 9.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.5% | 5.5% | 5.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.9% | 5.8% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Smithfield is close to the national rate: 5.9% of the labor force, against 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 3.3 points, as it has nationally. 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).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smithfield | 2.45 | 39.8 | 6.4% | 21.3% | 4.1% | 1975 | $1,284 | 39.3% | 92.3% | 5.9% |
| Stillwater | 2.83 | 42.5 | 5.5% | 9.3% | 2.9% | 1972 | $979 | 38.3% | 94.2% | 3.3% |
| Greenville | 2.39 | 50.3 | 5.6% | 13.3% | 4.7% | 1974 | $1,304 | 41.4% | 94.7% | 4.8% |
| North Providence | 2.33 | 39.8 | 13.1% | 35.3% | 6.3% | 1960 | $1,438 | 35.1% | 92.7% | 4.6% |
| Lincoln | 2.57 | 46.0 | 12.2% | 26.8% | 3.7% | 1969 | $1,210 | 45.9% | 91.5% | 7.0% |
| Johnston | 2.54 | 45.4 | 12.5% | 24.1% | 6.2% | 1968 | $1,435 | 29.3% | 91.1% | 7.5% |
| 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% |
| North Smithfield | 2.50 | 45.5 | 8.4% | 24.2% | 5.1% | 1971 | $1,138 | 33.4% | 93.8% | 2.7% |
| Central Falls | 2.83 | 32.1 | 23.2% | 74.6% | 9.0% | 1950 | $1,189 | 11.2% | 60.6% | 7.5% |
| North Scituate | 2.36 | 52.3 | 6.4% | 17.3% | 9.0% | 1963 | $1,314 | 37.8% | 95.0% | 2.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
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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 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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