Smithfield is a city located in Cache County, Utah, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 7,261. By 2004 its population had been estimated to increase to 7,801.

GEOGRAPHY
Smithfield is located at 41°50'7" North, 111°49'42" West (41.835253, -111.828388)GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.2 km² (4.3 mi²). 11.2 km² (4.3 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.

Originally known as Summit Creek, Smithfield was founded in 1857 by Robert Thornley and his cousin Seth Langton who were sent north from Salt Lake City by Brigham Young to found a settlement on Summit Creek. After a preeliminary 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 DelMonte canning factory, and the sugar beet industry, the town is now essentially a bedroom community for Logan and its Utah State University. Smithfield is home to a grade school and Skyview, a County High School.

DEMOGRAPHICS
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 7,261 people, 2,066 households, and 1,782 families residing in the city. The population density was 650.5/km² (1,686.6/mi²). There were 2,159 housing units at an average density of 193.4/km² (501.5/mi²). 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. 5.04% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,066 households out of which 53.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.5% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.7% were non-families. 12.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.51 and the average family size was 3.85.

In the city the population was spread out with 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% who were 65 years of age 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 income for a household in the city was $47,745, and the median income for a family 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. 6.2% of the population and 4.5% of families were below the poverty line. 6.6% of those under the age of 18 and 8.0% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.



HISTORY OF SMITHFIELD
Smithfield, located in Cache County, is eight miles north of Logan. Smithfield was settled in October of 1859 by Seth Langton and by Robert and John Thornley, who had been living in Salt Lake City. The original pioneers were joined by additional settlers who were primarily from Salt Lake and Davis counties in the spring of 1860. The first settlement was located approximately one-half mile west of the present site and was originally called Summit, because of its location on Summit Creek. The town was surveyed in March 1860 by the territorial surveyor, Jessie Fox.

In July 1860 the settlers were attacked by a band of Shoshone Indians, and when the skirmish was over two white men had been killed. The settlers moved closer together and eventually sixty-eight houses were constructed in fort lines. For protection, the men worked in groups whenever they left the fort. Crops were planted, including wheat, oats, corn, squash, sugarcane, beans, carrots, peas, beets, parsnips, potatoes, and flax. A few fruit trees also were planted.

The first bishop of the Mormon community was John Glover Smith, who was called in 1860. Summit was eventually renamed Smithfield after Smith. In 1874 the United Order was introduced to the church members. Sixty-three families joined and 568 acres were divided into five districts, with a supervisor over each. Besides agriculture the order also included the Smithfield Co-operative Mercantile. Other industries included a sawmill, lime kiln, tannery, molasses mill, grist mill, cabinet-making factory, and blacksmith shop. Although the order was proclaimed a failure in 1875, some LDS church members in the area continued to partially practice it for some time. Construction on the Smithfield Tabernacle began in 1881 and was completed about twenty years later. In 1906 the town was divided into two wards; it has since grown to thirteen LDS wards.

In 1881 the Presbyterian Church established a day school in Smithfield; the teacher was Nellie F. Bartlett. In 1882 the Smithfield Presbyterian Church was built; it was called the Garfield Memorial Chapel. The school and church closed in 1909. The Methodist Episcopal Church established a mission in Smithfield in 1888.

The first public building, a combination school, church, and amusement center, was completed in 1863. Thirty-six pupils were enrolled in the school. Prior to that time, teaching took place in private homes. Smithfield now has two elementary schools and Sky View High School, which serves students who live in the north end of Cache Valley.

In 1866 the telegraph line was extended from Logan to Smithfield. By 1873 the Utah Northern Railroad had been extended to Smithfield--which was a great boon to the community, bringing better mail service among its other benefits. By 1922 a volunteer fire department was organized and civic improvements made.

The dairy industry is important to Smithfield, and in 1892 the Smithfield Dairy Company built its plant--which was later taken over by Sego Milk Products. In 1920 the Morgan Pea Factory began business and was later bought by Del Monte Foods; it has since been turned into a can-making factory. Some current businesses in Smithfield are Cantwell Brothers Lumber, Smithfield Livestock Auction, and Smithfield Implement.

A tradition in Smithfield began in an elementary school in 1925 as the Health Pageant. It has grown and developed into Smithfield Health Days, which is now an annual event and includes a parade and pageants. The population of Smithfield has steadily increased in recent years. In 1940 it was 2,461; in the 1970s the city began to grow more rapidly. According to the 1990 census there were 5,566 people in the city of Smithfield.