Compare towns

Smithfield vs Holbrook 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 the shortest commute (25 min average).
Holbrook has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.7%).
Glocester has the oldest population (median age 50.8).

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.

MeasureSmithfieldHolbrookGlocester
People
Population
22,233Highest
11,380
10,221Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.2%
U.S.: +7.4%
+5.7%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.3%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
41.8±2.6Lowest
7% above U.S.
42.8±3.2
10% above U.S.
50.8±4.3Highest
31% above U.S.
Kids under 18
16.9%±2.4Lowest
U.S.: 22%
21.2%±4.4Highest
U.S.: 22%
19.8%±4.3
U.S.: 22%
Holbrook 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%
19.1%±3.2Lowest
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%
34.6%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
35.7%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
16.7%±0.9Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.1%±2.1
U.S.: 6.4%
4.3%±1.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$102,077±$8kLowest
26% above U.S.
$115,210±$14kHighest
43% above U.S.
$113,508±$7k
41% above U.S.
Holbrook and Glocester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$446,400±$12k
34% above U.S.
$465,400±$21kHighest
40% above U.S.
$396,500±$28kLowest
19% above U.S.
Holbrook and Smithfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,016±$241Lowest
28% below U.S.
$1,094±$423
23% below U.S.
$1,417±$627Highest
about the U.S. average
Glocester and Holbrook 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.
$6,105Highest
96% above U.S.
$5,248
68% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
57.1%±17.7
U.S.: 51.1%
47.8%±18.7Lowest
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%
7.7%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
4.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
81.6%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
84%
U.S.: 65.2%
91%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976Highest
4 yrs older than U.S.
1957Lowest
23 yrs older than U.S.
1975
5 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 minLowest
7% below U.S.
38 minHighest
44% above U.S.
34 min
30% above U.S.
Work from home
14%±3.1Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
12.1%±3.3Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
13.1%±4.7
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 #234 of 282 in MA #12 of 38 in RI
School district Smithfield Holbrook Foster-Glocester · Glocester
High school in town Smithfield High School Holbrook Middle High School Ponaganset High School
Students per teacherat that high school
11.8Lowest
14.3Highest
12.8
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.