Compare towns
Smithfield vs Derby vs Glocester
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Smithfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.2%).
Derby has the most affordable homes ($257k median).
Glocester has the most kids (19.8% under 18).
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.
| Measure | Smithfield | Derby | Glocester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 22,233Highest |
12,487 |
10,221Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-4.5%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 41.8±2.6Lowest 7% above U.S. |
46.4±3.1 19% above U.S. |
50.8±4.3Highest 31% above U.S. |
| Glocester and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 16.9%±2.4 U.S.: 22% |
14.6%±2.9Lowest U.S.: 22% |
19.8%±4.3Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Glocester and Smithfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 21.1%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.1%±3.9Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
22.2%±3.4Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| 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+ | 40%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
35.6%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
35.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 16.7%±0.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.9%±2 U.S.: 6.4% |
4.3%±1.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $102,077±$8k 26% above U.S. |
$79,500±$11kLowest about the U.S. average |
$113,508±$7kHighest 41% above U.S. |
| Glocester and Smithfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $446,400±$12kHighest 34% above U.S. |
$256,700±$21kLowest 23% below U.S. |
$396,500±$28k 19% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,016±$241Lowest 28% below U.S. |
$1,452±$95Highest about the U.S. average |
$1,417±$627 about the U.S. average |
| Derby and Glocester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,207Lowest 67% above U.S. |
$5,510Highest 77% above U.S. |
$5,248 68% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 57.1%±17.7 U.S.: 51.1% |
53.9%±12.6Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
64.5%±24Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Glocester and Smithfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 6.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
10.8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
4.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 81.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
61.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
91%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976Highest 4 yrs older than U.S. |
1967Lowest 13 yrs older than U.S. |
1975 5 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 25 minLowest 7% below U.S. |
27 min about the U.S. average |
34 minHighest 30% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 14%±3.1 U.S.: 15.1% |
15.1%±4.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
13.1%±4.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Derby 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 | #8 of 38 in RI | #138 of 149 in CT | #12 of 38 in RI |
| School district | Smithfield | Derby School District | Foster-Glocester · Glocester |
| High school in town | Smithfield High School | Derby High School | Ponaganset High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.8 |
9.7Lowest |
12.8Highest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.