City profile · Tennessee · Census ACS 2023

Smithville, TN

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Smithville - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

5,158
Residents
$29,507
Median income
$153,500
Median home
$953
Median rent (state)

Smithville - the verdict

Nationally, Smithville sits in the 2nd percentile for household income and the 41st percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

2nd
percentile, household income
28th
percentile, home value
10th
percentile, median rent
41st
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Smithville, TN

5,158 people live in Smithville, Tennessee - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Smithville brings in $29,507 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 26.5%. Smithville's housing stock carries a median value of $153,500, and the median resident age is 42.3 years. About 14.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 41.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 50 residential building permits were authorized in Smithville (Rapid Growth), up 28% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Smithville reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1650.4 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 56.9°F with 57.0 inches of precipitation per year and 3.1 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Tennessee run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Tennessee at 91.9 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $953 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Tennessee's average monthly utility costs around $218 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 25.5 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

5,158 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Tennessee

Median Household Income

$29,507 /yr

Poverty 26.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

91.9 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Tennessee average

How does Smithville compare to other US cities?

Here's how Smithville stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 2% higher than other cities
Home value 28% pricier than other cities
Median rent 10% pricier than other cities
Safety 41% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Tennessee alone, Smithville ranks #95 of 174 Tennessee cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Smithville against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Tennessee only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Tennessee-relative analysis

Poverty Rate is Smithville's strongest outlier among Tennessee cities

Among the 482 Tennessee cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Smithville ranks #45 - the 90th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Smithville only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#446 of 458
3rd percentile in Tennessee
Median Gross Rent
#300 of 482
37th percentile in Tennessee
Median Home Value
#293 of 455
36th percentile in Tennessee
Poverty Rate
#45 of 482
90th percentile in Tennessee
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#289 of 482
39th percentile in Tennessee

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Tennessee only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

2ndIncome percentile
41stSafety percentile

2nd percentile nationally for median household income · 41st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Smithville's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Smithville's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 41 Avg. percentile National median
Smithville's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Smithville's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$153,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 72% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Smithville $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Smithville, TN Smithville, TN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Smithville, TN-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Smithville, TN median $29,507/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Smithville, TN's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Smithville, TN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 14.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 26.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 41.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
5,158
Median Income
$29,507
Median Home Value
$153,500
Median Age
42.3
Poverty Rate
26.5%
Labor force participation
41.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
14.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1650.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
399.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1251.4
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
56.9°F
Annual Precipitation
57.0"
Annual Snowfall
3.1"

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
4,800 residents5,000 residents5,200 residents5,400 residents5,600 residents5,800 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,047 residents 5,620 residents ▲ +11.4%
Smithville's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
50
housing units authorized
Single-Family
50
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
9.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 39
2020 43
2021 52
2022 52
2023 49
2024 50

Permit volume increased 28% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
70.7%
Carpool
27.8%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.3%
Work from Home
0.0%

Based on 1,603 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Tennessee - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$120
avg/month
Natural Gas
$58
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$218
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Tennessee state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Tennessee state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Smithville sits in

Cost of Living Index
91.9
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$953/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
25.5 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Tennessee

Bolivar
5,171 people
Madisonville
5,184 people
Pleasant View
5,111 people
Medina
5,268 people
Ashland City
5,318 people
Sparta
4,915 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Smithville's 5,158 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Camilla, GA
5,158 people
Bangor, PA
5,158 people
Calistoga, CA
5,159 people
Cherokee, IA
5,157 people
Cut Off, LA
5,157 people
Williamston, NC
5,157 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Smithville's $29,507 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Ramseur, NC
$29,508 median income
Port Gibson, MS
$29,500 median income
Central Pacolet, SC
$29,500 median income
Randall, KS
$29,519 median income
Graniteville, SC
$29,495 median income
Lakeland, GA
$29,520 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Smithville, TN Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Smithville, TN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 77.3% 10.9% 6.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 18.8% White 77.3% Black or African American 2.5% Asian 2.1% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 10.9% Two or more races 6.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Smithville compares to nearby Tennessee cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Smithville (this city) 5,158 $29,507
Bolivar 5,171 $38,575
Madisonville 5,184 $45,274
Pleasant View 5,111 $101,591
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TN FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Smithville, TN?

What is the population of Smithville, TN? +

Smithville, TN has a population of 5,158 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Smithville, TN? +

Median annual household income in Smithville runs $29,507, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Smithville? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Smithville; the closest available measure is the Tennessee state average, a cost of living index of 91.9 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Tennessee vary by metro area.

Is Smithville, TN safe? +

Smithville has a total crime rate of 1650.4 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Smithville, TN? +

The median home value in Smithville is $153,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Smithville? +

Climate normals put Smithville's yearly average temperature at 56.9°F, 57.0 inches of precipitation, and 3.1 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.