Compare towns

Glocester vs North Smithfield vs Smithfield

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Rhode Island.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Glocester has the oldest population (median age 50.8).
North Smithfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.2%).
Smithfield has the youngest population (median age 41.8).

What matters to you?

Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.

MeasureGlocesterNorth SmithfieldSmithfield
People
Population
10,221Lowest
12,708
22,233Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+2.3%Lowest
RI: +4.3%
+5.2%Highest
RI: +4.3%
+3.2%
RI: +4.3%
Median age
50.8±4.3Highest
25% above RI
45.5±3.9
12% above RI
41.8±2.6Lowest
about the RI average
Glocester and North Smithfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
19.8%±4.3Highest
RI: 18.8%
19.2%±3.2
RI: 18.8%
16.9%±2.4Lowest
RI: 18.8%
Glocester and North Smithfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22.2%±3.4Highest
RI: 18.7%
20.9%±2.8Lowest
RI: 18.7%
21.1%±2.1
RI: 18.7%
Glocester and Smithfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
35.7%
RI: 37.7%
33.8%Lowest
RI: 37.7%
40%Highest
RI: 37.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.3%±1.9Lowest
RI: 8.3%
4.4%±1.3
RI: 8.3%
16.7%±0.9Highest
RI: 8.3%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$113,508±$7kHighest
29% above RI
$108,866±$12k
24% above RI
$102,077±$8kLowest
16% above RI
Glocester and North Smithfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$396,500±$28kLowest
about the RI average
$457,200±$21kHighest
13% above RI
$446,400±$12k
10% above RI
North Smithfield and Smithfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,417±$627Highest
6% above RI
$1,282±$531
4% below RI
$1,016±$241Lowest
24% below RI
Glocester and North Smithfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,248Highest
7% above RI
$5,219
7% above RI
$5,207Lowest
6% above RI
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
64.5%±24Highest
RI: 48%
33.6%±11.4Lowest
RI: 48%
57.1%±17.7
RI: 48%
Glocester and Smithfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.8%Lowest
RI: 11.2%
4.8%Lowest
RI: 11.2%
6.2%Highest
RI: 11.2%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
91%Highest
RI: 63.6%
77.9%Lowest
RI: 63.6%
81.6%
RI: 63.6%
Typical home builtmedian year
1975
13 yrs newer than RI
1972Lowest
10 yrs newer than RI
1976Highest
14 yrs newer than RI
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 minHighest
35% above RI
26 min
4% above RI
25 minLowest
4% below RI
Work from home
13.1%±4.7Lowest
RI: 13%
14.2%±3.6Highest
RI: 13%
14%±3.1
RI: 13%
North Smithfield and Smithfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #12 of 38 in RI #13 of 38 in RI #8 of 38 in RI
School district Foster-Glocester · Glocester North Smithfield Smithfield
High school in town Ponaganset High School North Smitfield HS Smithfield High School
Students per teacherat that high school
12.8Highest
12.1
11.8Lowest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

RI average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.