Compare towns
Smithfield vs Johnston vs Glocester
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Rhode Island.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Smithfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.2%).
Johnston has the most affordable homes ($356k median).
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.
| Measure | Smithfield | Johnston | Glocester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 22,233 |
29,835Highest |
10,221Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.2%Highest RI: +4.3% |
+2.8% RI: +4.3% |
+2.3%Lowest RI: +4.3% |
| Median age | 41.8±2.6Lowest about the RI average |
44.5±2.5 10% above RI |
50.8±4.3Highest 25% above RI |
| 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 RI: 18.8% |
17.5%±2.4 RI: 18.8% |
19.8%±4.3Highest RI: 18.8% |
| Glocester and Johnston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 21.1%±2.1Lowest RI: 18.7% |
22.1%±2.6 RI: 18.7% |
22.2%±3.4Highest RI: 18.7% |
| 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 RI: 37.7% |
28.9%Lowest RI: 37.7% |
35.7% RI: 37.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 16.7%±0.9Highest RI: 8.3% |
6.1%±1.6 RI: 8.3% |
4.3%±1.9Lowest RI: 8.3% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $102,077±$8k 16% above RI |
$91,866±$6kLowest 5% above RI |
$113,508±$7kHighest 29% above RI |
| 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 10% above RI |
$355,500±$13kLowest 12% below RI |
$396,500±$28k about the RI average |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,016±$241Lowest 24% below RI |
$1,275±$132 5% below RI |
$1,417±$627Highest 6% above RI |
| 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 6% above RI |
$4,614Lowest 6% below RI |
$5,248Highest 7% above RI |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 57.1%±17.7 RI: 48% |
38.1%±8.7Lowest RI: 48% |
64.5%±24Highest 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 | 6.2% RI: 11.2% |
7.9%Highest RI: 11.2% |
4.8%Lowest RI: 11.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 81.6% RI: 63.6% |
75.9%Lowest RI: 63.6% |
91%Highest RI: 63.6% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976Highest 14 yrs newer than RI |
1968Lowest 6 yrs newer than RI |
1975 13 yrs newer than RI |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 25 min 4% below RI |
24 minLowest 7% below RI |
34 minHighest 35% above RI |
| Work from home | 14%±3.1Highest RI: 13% |
9.9%±2.3Lowest RI: 13% |
13.1%±4.7 RI: 13% |
| 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 | #32 of 38 in RI | #12 of 38 in RI |
| School district | Smithfield | Johnston | Foster-Glocester · Glocester |
| High school in town | Smithfield High School | Johnston Senior High | Ponaganset High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.8 |
10.3Lowest |
12.8Highest |
| 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.