Originally known as "Summit Creek", Smithfield was founded in 1857 by the brothers Robert and John Thornley along with their cousin Seth Langton who were sent north from Salt Lake City by Brigham Young to found a settlement on Summit Creek. After a preliminary scouting, Robert returned with his new wife Annie Brighton. The first winter was spent in a wagon box. By the next summer, with more settlers arriving, a small fort was built on the edge of the creek, one cabin of which remains. As the settlement grew, a bishop was named and the town took his name. By 1917 the town had planted trees on both sides of its Main Street and had acquired a Carnegie library and a Rotary club. Dependent for many years on dairying, a Del Monte canning factory, and the sugar beet industry, the town is now essentially a bedroom community for Logan and its Utah State University.
Demographics
At the 2000 census there were 7,261 people in 2,066 households, including 1,782 families, in the city. The population density was 1,686.6 people per square mile. There were 2,159 housing units at an average density of 501.5 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 95.23% White, 0.12% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.82% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.04%. Of the 2,066 households 53.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.5% were married couplesliving together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.7% were non-families. 12.2% of households were one person and 6.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.51 and the average family size was 3.85. The age distribution was 37.8% under the age of 18, 12.1% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 16.2% from 45 to 64, and 8.0% 65 or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.6 males. The median household income was $47,745 and the median family income was $49,828. Males had a median income of $35,708 versus $21,076 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,933. About 4.5% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Smithfield is home to Sunrise, Birch Creek, Summit Elementary, and Sky View, a county high school.
