Living in Smithfield, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Smithfield · Census data 2020–2024
Smithfield has 12,116 residents with a median age of 44.9. The median household income is $43,270 (40% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $242,500, the median rent is $658/month.
Smithfield at a glance
- Population
- 12,116
- Median age
- 44.9State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $43,270State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $242,500State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $658/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 58.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 26.7%
- Average commute
- 24 min
Is Smithfield a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 16% lower than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 40% lower than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 7.2%; a poverty rate of 27.3%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Smithfield
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Smithfield the median home value is $242,500, 27% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $658 per month, which is 35.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,521 a month in housing costs.
Smithfield median household income
The median household income in Smithfield is $43,270 and the income per person is $30,986. 27.3% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Smithfield: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 5,617
- Owner-occupied
- 58.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 41.3%
- Vacant
- 11.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1973
- Average household size
- 2.33
Smithfield demographics
- Population
- 12,116
- Median age
- 44.9
- Under 18
- 22.7%
- 65 and older
- 20.4%
- Households
- 4,951
- Foreign-born
- 7.9%
- Veterans
- 8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Smithfield ›
Education in Smithfield
26.7% of adults 25 and older in Smithfield have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 8.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Smithfield
- Unemployment rate
- 7.2%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 24 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 6.1%
- Drive alone
- 82.7%
- Public transit
- 0.1%
- Walk to work
- 2.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 83.1%
Smithfield vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smithfield | 12,116 | $43,270 | $242,500 | $658 |
| Selma | 6,817 | $41,368 | $171,600 | $820 |
| Wilson's Mills | 2,753 | $62,813 | $241,800 | $1,021 |
| Pine Level | 2,031 | $75,263 | $221,000 | $804 |
| Four Oaks | 2,459 | $72,826 | $253,700 | $1,081 |
| Micro | 573 | $44,531 | $170,700 | $917 |
| Clayton | 29,320 | $78,822 | $329,600 | $1,661 |
| Archer Lodge | 5,186 | $91,188 | $324,500 | $1,458 |
| Princeton | 1,658 | $45,500 | $215,400 | $690 |
More for people moving to Smithfield
Smithfield ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Smithfield: FAQ
What is the median household income in Smithfield, NC?
The median household income in Smithfield is $43,270, 40% lower than the North Carolina median of $72,388 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Smithfield?
The median home value in Smithfield is $242,500, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Smithfield?
The median gross rent in Smithfield is $658 per month, about 35.8% of household income.
Is Smithfield, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 16% lower than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes. Minuses: median household income 40% lower than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 7.2%; a poverty rate of 27.3%.
What is the median age in Smithfield?
The median age in Smithfield is 44.9 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Smithfield?
The average commute to work in Smithfield is 24 minutes; 6.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Smithfield?
The unemployment rate in Smithfield is 7.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Smithfield?
26.7% of adults in Smithfield have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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