Smithfield is a town in and the county seat of Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 10,966, and in 2019 the estimated population was 12,985. Smithfield is home to the Ava Gardner Museum, Wild Bill's Western Town named Shadowhawk, and is situated along the Neuse River, where visitors enjoy the annual Smithfield Ham and Yam Festival, walks along the Buffalo Creek Greenway, and the historic downtown district. The town is located near North Carolina's Research Triangle and is about 30 mi southeast of downtown Raleigh. The Raleigh-Durham-Cary combined statistical area has a population over 2 million residents.

History

Smithfield was founded near Smith's ferry on the Neuse River, Johnston County's first town and second county seat. The county courthouse was moved from Hinton's Quarter to Smithfield in 1771. The settlement was first known as Johnston County Court House and was incorporated as Smithfield in 1777. The third North Carolina state legislature met in Smithfield in 1779 and 1780.

Geography

Smithfield is in central Johnston County and is bordered to the northeast by Selma. Interstate 95 runs along the southeastern edge of the town, with access from Exits 93, 95, and 97. I-95 leads northeast 46 mi to Rocky Mount and southwest the same distance to Fayetteville. U.S. Route 301 passes through Selma on Brightleaf Boulevard, leading northeast 4 mi to the center of Selma and southwest 15 mi to Benson. U.S. Route 70 passes just northeast of Smithfield, leading northwest 30 mi to Raleigh, and southeast 22 mi to Goldsboro. U.S. Route 70 Business passes through the center of Smithfield as Market Street. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 31.4 km2, of which 0.04 km2, or 0.11%, is covered by water. The Neuse River runs through the town west of the downtown area, separating it from the neighborhood of West Smithfield.

Climate

Smithfield has a humid subtropical climate(Cfa), with cool winters and hot summers. Its climate is famous for the growth of pine forests with laurel understory as well as live oaks.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, 11,292 people, 4,951 households, and 2,919 families resided in the town.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, 11,510 people, 4,417 households, and 2,676 families resided in the town. The population density was 1,007.6 PD/sqmi. The 4,674 housing units had an average density of 409.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 62.66% White, 30.99% African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.63% Asian, 4.16% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 9.9% of the population. Of the 4,417 households, 26.6% had children under 18 living with them, 42.1% were married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% were not families. About 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.30, and the average family size was 2.97. In the town, the age distribution was 21.3% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 97.6 males. The median income for a household in the town was $27,813, and for a family was $37,929. Males had a median income of $29,567 versus $24,440 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,012. About 14.5% of families and 20.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.1% of those under 18 and 19.2% of those 65 or over.

Government

Smithfield has a council–manager form of government. The council, the town's legislative body, consists of seven members and a mayor. The council sets policy, and the manager oversees day-to-day operations.

Education

All of the county is in the Johnston County Schools school district. Other institutions:

Healthcare

Notable people

• Gary Clark, NBA player • Harmeet Dhillon, lawyer and Republican Party official • Barry Foote, former Major League Baseball catcher • Ava Gardner, actress, born in Grabtown southeast of Smithfield • Shane Helms, professional wrestler • Neal Lancaster, professional golfer • Amber O'Neal, professional wrestler • Edward W. Pou, U.S. congressman, 1901–1934 • William Cary Renfrow, third governor of Oklahoma Territory • Jerry Sands, professional baseball player • Ray Tanner, South Carolina Gamecocks athletic director and former head baseball coach • John Townsend, author • Curtis Whitley, NFL offensive lineman • Jonathan Williams, professional football running back