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Smithfield is an incorporated town in Isle of Wight County, in the South Hampton Roads subregion of the Hampton Roads region of Virginia in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 6,324.
History and industry
Smithfield, first colonized in 1634, is located on the Pagan River, not far from Jamestown. The Native Americans knew this area as Warascoyak, also spelled Warrosquoyacke, meaning “point of Land”
The town, established in 1752 by Arthur Smith IV as a seaport and incorporated in 1921, is most famous for the curing and production of the Smithfield ham. The Virginia General Assembly passed a statute defining Smithfield ham by law in 1926.
There were both Revolutionary and Civil War actions in and around the town mostly due to its proximity to the James River.
Smithfield is a river town, and its life and growth were dependent on the river until the fire of 1921 which destroyed its peanut warehouses and its growing peanut businesses. The peanut trade moved to the nearby railroad town of Suffolk.
Today, Smithfield Foods, a Fortune 500 Company that owns Smithfield Packing Company and others, is the world’s largest pork processor and hog producer. The company, based in Smithfield, raises 12 million and processes 20 million hogs annually.
As you walk the streets of the Town, you will find that Smithfield still has its historical charm. Smithfield's Historic District boasts over 70 buildings of exceptional architectural importance, including residences of the Colonial, Federal, and Victorian periods.
Geography
Smithfield is located at 36°58′44″N, 76°37′7″W (36.978767, -76.618578)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 27.1 km² (10.4 mi²). 24.7 km² (9.5 mi²) of it is land and 2.4 km² (0.9 mi²) of it (8.80%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there are 6,324 people, 2,438 households, and 1,830 families residing in the town. The population density is 256.2/km² (663.8/mi²). There are 2,552 housing units at an average density of 103.4/km² (267.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 67.22% White, 30.87% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. 0.93% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 2,438 households out of which 37.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% are married couples living together, 17.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 24.9% are non-families. 21.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.55 and the average family size is 2.95.
In the town the population is spread out with 27.0% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 89.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 82.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $43,224, and the median income for a family is $53,906. Males have a median income of $40,845 versus $24,419 for females. The per capita income for the town is $19,301. 12.0% of the population and 11.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 12.7% of those under the age of 18 and 15.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Schools
There are nine schools in the Isle of Wight County school district. Only Westside Elementary, at 800 Main Street, is located within the town limits.
The school is unique in having only grades 4 through 6, i.e., grade six is normally considered middle school in Isle of Wight County.
The school was renamed from Isle of Wight Training School to Westside High School in 1960, to Smithfield Elementary School in 1969, to Smithfield Middle School in 1993, and finally to Westside Elementary School in 2005.
2007 Enrollment - 820
Westside website http://www.iwcs.k12.va.us/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=44
External links
