Smithville is a city along the Little Platte River in Clay and Platte counties in Missouri, United States, that is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. The population was 10,406 at the 2020 United States census. Smithville is also known for the Smithville Lake.

History

Smithville is named after Humphrey "Yankee" Smith (1774 – May 5, 1857) after he settled at the site in 1822. The town was originally known as "Smith's Mill" but ultimately became "Smithville" as it was easier to pronounce. Another reputed history behind the name is that it was going to be named Smith's Mill, but there was already another current settlement in Missouri with the same name so it was altered slightly to differentiate it.

Silver Screen stars Wallace Beery and Noah Beery, Sr. were born and raised near Smithville.

The Aker Cemetery and Downtown Smithville Historic District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Smithville had a population of 10,406, including 3,866 households and 2,864 families.

The median age was 37.5 years. 27.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 13.0% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 97.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.1 males age 18 and over.

There were 4,033 housing units, of which 4.1% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.3%. estimates show that the median household income was $83,400 (with a margin of error of +/- $3,840) and the median family income was $92,279 (+/- $8,943). Males had a median income of $43,881 (+/- $4,109) versus $34,508 (+/- $5,507) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $40,012 (+/- $2,416). Approximately, 2.7% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.8% of those under the age of 18 and 10.0% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 8,425 people, 3,115 households, and 2,321 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 3,280 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 96.0% White, 0.7% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.6% of the population.

There were 3,115 households, of which 142.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.0% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 25.5% were non-families. 21.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 12.68 and the average family size was 3.13.

The median age in the city was 36.9 years. 29% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.3% were from 25 to 44; 25.8% were from 45 to 64; and 10.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.

2000 census

As of the census

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Smithville has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Smithville was on August 9, 1988, while the coldest temperature recorded was on December 23, 1989 and February 16, 2021.

|source 2 = National Weather Service

6.2% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

The city is served by 1 U.S. highway, 1 Missouri route, and 3 Missouri Supplemental routes:

  • north-south highway that traverses the entire city. It is an undivided highway in the north half, a stroad in part of the south half, and a divided highway in the southernmost quarter. It continues north to Kansas and south to Kansas City.
  • is an east-west highway crossing the southern third of the city; it continues west to Platte City and east to Kearney.
  • 25px Route F, travels unsigned through the northeast portion of the city as North Bridge Street, East 1st Street, Spelman Drive, and Northeast 172nd Street
  • 25px Route DD, also known as Main Street, travels through downtown east towards Smithville Lake
  • 25px Route KK, a short route in the northwest of the city

Education

Smithville R-II School District covers the portion in Clay County, that is, the vast majority of the city. It operates three elementary schools, one middle school and Smithville High School.

The portion in Platte County is in the Platte County R-III School District<!--UNI 25230-->. Platte County High School is that district's comprehensive high school.

Smithville has a public library, a branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library.

Notable people

  • Tom Helm, conductor
  • Bradford Keeney, therapist
  • Jayce Tingler - professional baseball bench coach of the Minnesota Twins
  • Kenneth Wilson, member of the Missouri House of Representatives

See also

  • List of cities in Missouri

References

  • Historic maps of Smithville in the Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection at the University of Missouri