Smithfield,
North Carolina, eleven square miles named in
honor of landowner
John Smith, is established along the banks of
the
Neuse River. Smithfield enjoys a centralized
location in the heart of NC’s prestigious
Triangle Region.
Smithfield, NC lies 22 miles outside of
Raleigh, which is the capital city of North
Carolina and 29 miles from the renowned
Research Triangle Park. Smithfield, along with
its neighboring city of
Selma, forms one of the fastest expanding
metropolitan areas in NC. According to data from the
2000 Census, Smithfield is home to 11,510
residents; however, more recent estimates report the
population as closer to 12,000 residents. Selma’s
2000 population was nearly 6,000 residents. Selma
and Smithfield both lie in the center of
Johnston County along Interstate 95, with easy
access through additional highways such as
Interstate 40 and U.S. 70.
Smithfield, NC
serves as the seat of
Johnston County, where the healthy economy
affords an array of career opportunities. The
booming international job market in the Smithfield
region includes such well-known companies as
Bayer,
Caterpillar,
Fresenius Kabi and
Novo Nordisk. Residents and businesses also
revel in the benefits of its close proximity to the
Research Triangle Park (RTP). The esteemed RTP is
home to major companies such as
IBM
and provides employment for more than 45,000
individuals. In 2000, the median household income in
Smithfield, North Carolina was $27,813, while the
median family income was $37,929.
Education also
plays a primary role in the local economy.
Johnston Community College serves the immediate
higher education needs to residents in the area;
however, the surrounding Triangle Region offers a
multitude of additional options for post-secondary
education. These include
Duke
University and
North
Carolina Central University in
Durham and
North
Carolina State University in
Raleigh. Students at the primary and secondary
level have access to top-notch
public schools and several private school
options.
Smithfield, NC
boasts a well-balanced recreational scene complete
with cultural activities that reflect the region’s
heritage. Historic sites of interest include the
stately
Johnston County Courthouse, which holds a
listing on the
National Register of Historic Places, the
Heritage Center and a museum honoring one-time
resident
Ava Gardner. Three beautiful lakes:
Falls Lake,
Jordan Lake and
Kerr Lake, provide the ideal setting for
boating, fishing, swimming and other water related
sports.
Smithfield, North
Carolina has public facilities for picnics, and
sports and playground equipment, spread throughout
the town’s eleven parks. Community events include
the annual Ham & Yam Festival, the Ava Gardner Fest,
Harvest Fair, Holiday Arts Walk and the
International Day Celebration held at the local
community college. In addition, the greater Triangle
region lies in close proximity to the
Atlantic Beaches, the bustling capital city of
Raleigh, NC and the stunning
Blue Ridge and
Smoky Mountains.
Smithfield,
North Carolina maintains its friendly, small
southern town appeal despite its tremendous growth.
Residents have access to excellent schools,
state-of-the-art health care and a prosperous job
market. Such an outstanding quality-of-life, with
all the amenities of the highly acclaimed Triangle
Region, makes Smithfield an enviable locale. |
