Smithfield is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. In 2016, the estimated population was 12,266. It is the county seat of Johnston County. Smithfield is home to the Ava Gardner Museum and is situated along the Neuse River, where visitors enjoy the annual Smithfield Ham and Yam Festival, walks along the Buffalo Creek Greenway and the historic downtown district. The town is located in North Carolina's famed Research Triangle and is approximately 29mi southeast of downtown Raleigh. The Raleigh-Durham-Cary Combined Statistical area has a population of over 2 million residents.GeographyAccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 11.4sqmi, of which 11.4sqmi is land and 0.09% is water.DemographicsAs of the census of 2000, there were 11,510 people, 4,417 households, and 2,676 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,007.6 inhabitants per square mile (389.1/km²). There were 4,674 housing units at an average density of 409.2 per square mile (158.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 62.66% White, 30.99% African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.63% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 4.14% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.90% of the population.
