Smithfield was Johnston County's first town and second county seat. The town was started near Smith's ferry on the Neuse River. The county court house was moved from Hinton's Quarter to Smithfield in 1771. The town was first known as Johnston County Courthouse. It 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 to Rocky Mount and southwest the same distance to Fayetteville. U.S. Route 301 passes through Selma on Brightleaf Boulevard, leading northeast to the center of Selma and southwest to Benson. U.S. Route 70 passes just northeast of Smithfield, leading northwest to Raleigh, and southeast 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, of which, or 0.11%, are water. The Neuse River runs through the town west of the downtown area, separating it from the neighborhood of West Smithfield.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,510 people, 4,417 households, and 2,676 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,007.6 inhabitants per square mile. There were 4,674 housing units at an average density of 409.2 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 62.66% White, 30.99% African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.63% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 4.14% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.90% of the population. There were 4,417 households out of which 26.6% had children under the age of 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 non-families. 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.97. In the town, the population was spread out with 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 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.6 males. The median income for a household in the town was $27,813, and the median income 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 age 18 and 19.2% of those age 65 or over.
