Compare towns

Smithfield vs Dudley vs Glocester vs Johnston

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 the most expensive homes ($446k median).
Dudley has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.7%).
Glocester has the oldest population (median age 50.8).
Johnston has the most affordable homes ($356k median).

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.

MeasureSmithfieldDudleyGlocesterJohnston
People
Population
22,233
11,929
10,221Lowest
29,835Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.2%
U.S.: +7.4%
+4.7%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.3%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.8%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
41.8±2.6
7% above U.S.
40.2±2.4Lowest
3% above U.S.
50.8±4.3Highest
31% above U.S.
44.5±2.5
14% above U.S.
Glocester and Johnston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.9%±2.4Lowest
U.S.: 22%
20.6%±3.3Highest
U.S.: 22%
19.8%±4.3
U.S.: 22%
17.5%±2.4
U.S.: 22%
Dudley and Glocester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.1%±2.1
U.S.: 17.2%
16.9%±3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
22.2%±3.4Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
22.1%±2.6
U.S.: 17.2%
Glocester and Johnston 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%
24.1%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
35.7%
U.S.: 35.7%
28.9%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
16.7%±0.9Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
13.1%±2
U.S.: 6.4%
4.3%±1.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
6.1%±1.6
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$102,077±$8k
26% above U.S.
$84,604±$12kLowest
5% above U.S.
$113,508±$7kHighest
41% above U.S.
$91,866±$6k
14% 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.
$392,600±$19k
18% above U.S.
$396,500±$28k
19% above U.S.
$355,500±$13kLowest
7% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,016±$241Lowest
28% below U.S.
$1,217±$182
14% below U.S.
$1,417±$627Highest
about the U.S. average
$1,275±$132
10% below U.S.
Glocester and Johnston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,207
67% above U.S.
$3,691Lowest
18% above U.S.
$5,248Highest
68% above U.S.
$4,614
48% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
57.1%±17.7
U.S.: 51.1%
47.4%±4.1
U.S.: 51.1%
64.5%±24Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
38.1%±8.7Lowest
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%
6.4%
U.S.: 12.5%
4.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
7.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
81.6%
U.S.: 65.2%
73.1%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
91%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
75.9%
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.
1968
12 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 min
7% below U.S.
27 min
4% above U.S.
34 minHighest
30% above U.S.
24 minLowest
11% below U.S.
Work from home
14%±3.1Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
9.1%±2.5Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
13.1%±4.7
U.S.: 15.1%
9.9%±2.3
U.S.: 15.1%
Smithfield and Glocester 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 #142 of 282 in MA #12 of 38 in RI #32 of 38 in RI
School district Smithfield Dudley-Charlton Reg Foster-Glocester · Glocester Johnston
High school in town Smithfield High School Shepherd Hill Regional High Ponaganset High School Johnston Senior High
Students per teacherat that high school
11.8
14.3Highest
12.8
10.3Lowest
On TownTapestry
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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.