Smithfield 78 Exceptional
Smithfield Livability #75 ranked city in Virginia#2,471 ranked city in the USARanks better than 91% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Smithfield

PROS
  • Crime Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Employment Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

  • Schools Schools

    The high score in the schools category can be attributed to outstanding test scores, elevated graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

  • Commute Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

What's it like Living in Smithfield?

Smithfield, Virginia is a small city with a population of 8,784 residents. According to the most recent Census, 73% of Smithfield residents are White, 23% Black and 0% Asian. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Smithfield, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 28 minutes.

Living in Smithfield can be a positive experience for anyone moving to the town. Having said that, in the state of Virginia, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. With useful information like crime, cost of living, health & safety, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Smithfield and in the areas around Smithfield is a much easier task.

Using data and statistics Smithfield has received a livability score of 77/100. This score is ranked in the 91st percentile when compared to all other cities. Clearly, Smithfield is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. This city is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Smithfield has higher than average grades for the following: crime (B+), education (B+), employment (A+) and housing (A+). Smithfield does not fare well for the following: amenities (F). It might be wise to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Smithfield, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 175 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.

Test scores serve as a vital gauge of a school's academic prowess and the proficiency of its students. They play a pivotal role in assessing whether local schools can deliver a robust educational foundation for children. In Smithfield, the schools boast an impressive average test score of 79%, significantly higher than the national average. This outstanding academic achievement not only reflects the excellence of the local educational system, but also indicates the potential for students to thrive academically, making it an attractive destination for families seeking a high-quality education for their children.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Smithfield excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Smithfield is actually affordable. The median home price for Smithfield homes is $544,513, which is 25.2% higher than the Virginia average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Smithfield, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.4, which is 2.2% lower than the Virginia average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Smithfield

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      Smithfield transportation information

      Statistic Smithfield Virginia National
      Average one way commute28min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work83.0%77.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool3.7%9.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.4%4.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.1%2.4%2.8%
      Working from home10.8%4.7%4.6%
      Source: The Smithfield, VA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.