Smithfield: Demographics & People
Census counts 8,834 people in Smithfield, in 3,584 households. Population grew 1.2% from 8,729 (2022) to 8,834 (2024). Median age 46.3 years. (2.5y older than Isle of Wight County; 8.5y older than Virginia). Children under 18 are 18% of the population. Population is 74% White (non-Hispanic) and 18% Black. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.40). 68% of households are family-led. County is gaining 1,023 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 39% adult obesity, 15% smoke.
- 2.5 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 32% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 59 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population grew 1.2% from 8,729 (2022) to 8,834 (2024) — about 2.0× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~8,940 (extrapolated at 0.6%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 9,083.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 38,606 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 1.2% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 8,729 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 8,834 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | growing |
| Population | 8,834 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 9,083 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 46.3y is 7.4 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 18% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 46.3 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 18.3% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 8,834 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 1,617 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 1,739.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 3,833.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 1,645 |
| Population under 18 | 1,617 |
| Median age | 46.3 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 8,834 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.40 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 6,454 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 1,740 |
| Asian residents | 44 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 391 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 39.8% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 74.8% |
| Asian population | 0.3% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 17.6% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 2.1% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 74.4% (vs Virginia 53.8%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 0.4% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 3% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 4,831 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 3,691 |
| Share born in this state | 54.7% |
| Share born in another state | 45.3% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 41.8% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.4% |
| Naturalized citizens | 3.1% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 300 |
| From Europe | 120 |
| From Africa | 15 |
Households & Family Composition
3,584 households. Averaging 2.5 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 68% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 2,368 families, 29% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 1,702 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 2,368 |
| Married couples with children | 684 |
| Single-parent households | 10 |
| Average household size | 2.49 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 10.2% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 56 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 8 |
| Family households | 2,428 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 67.7% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 3,584 households (vs Virginia 14,324) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 8.3% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 1,023 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 8.3% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 41,000 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 39,977 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 1,023 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 633 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 7.6% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 123 residents live in group quarters (1.4% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 123 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 3 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51093 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 093 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Isle of Wight |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 9.0% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 6.70 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 11.70 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51093 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Isle of Wight County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Large fringe metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 996 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51093 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Isle of Wight County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 62.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 53.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 22.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 37,109 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 5.60 |
| Family Score · Schools | 4 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 7 |
| Family Score · Youth Sports Orgs | 1 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 18.3% |
| Family Score · Rating | good |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 8,834, growing, established, affluent, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 8,834 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Isle of Wight County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade