Median Age
43 Years
Largest Age Group
55-64 Years
Approximately 13% of Residents
Under 20
23%
Over 65
23%
Smithfield, NC Area Guide
Avg Rent
$673
Population
13,453
Renter Mix
46% Rent
The idyllic charm of the countryside with Raleigh at arm’s reach
Suburb
•
Commuter
•
Rural
Smithfield is the kind of place where small-town pace and real Southern character come together without feeling stuck in the past. As the county seat of Johnston County, it serves as the civic and commercial center of a region that has been growing steadily thanks to its proximity to the Raleigh-Durham metro area, just 30 miles to the west. That connection to one of the Southeast's most dynamic corridors gives Smithfield a distinct edge, offering access to major employment hubs while maintaining a quieter, more grounded way of life.
The city's neighborhoods range from established residential streets lined with older craftsman and ranch-style homes to newer subdivisions that reflect the area's recent growth. Renters will find a solid mix of options here, from single-family rental homes to modest apartment communities scattered throughout the city. Johnston Community College anchors the local education scene and contributes to the steady rhythm of activity around town.
Smithfield also holds a proud place in American pop culture history as the hometown of Ava Gardner, the legendary Hollywood actress, and the Ava Gardner Museum draws visitors from across the country each year.
Explore the City
Smithfield Ham and Yam Festival is a huge attraction for people of all ages.
Smithfield has many homes with spacious yards.
Neuse River Amphitheater in downtown Smithfield just opened in the summer of 2023.
You can relax by the river in downtown Smithfield at Town Commons Park.
With just over 13,000 residents, Smithfield still has that small town feel.
Stroll along the Neuse River at Riverfront Park in Smithfield.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$38,056
Average: $57,690
Education
3,036
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
5,653
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Smithfield has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
46%
Non-Renters
54%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
17%
Other Education
83%
Rent Trends
As of July 2026, the average apartment rent in Smithfield, NC is $673 for one bedroom, $951 for two bedrooms, and $1,805 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Smithfield has increased by 1.0% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$673/month
600 Sq Ft
House
$1,718/month
1,346 Sq Ft
Learn More About Smithfield
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Smithfield, NC is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
40
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
100
/ 100
Somewhat Bikeable
Bikeability
20
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades K-12
904 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
438 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
469 Students
Public
Grades K-12
904 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
501 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
12 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
281 Students
Public
Grades K-12
904 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,518 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
50 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
21 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center
Commuter Rail
Top Apartments in Smithfield
Houses for Rent in Smithfield
Living in Smithfield
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.