Photo: Swampyank at en.wikipedia · Public domainWithin Rhode Island, North Smithfield is healthier than 38% of graded towns
North Smithfield differs from Rhode Island on 11 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 9 better, 2 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP codes 02896, 02830. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in North Smithfield
Rhode Island sets a high bar
North Smithfield is healthier than 80% of U.S. towns, but only 38% of the 38 Rhode Island towns we grade. Health Grade ↓
Against towns with similar incomes, North Smithfield’s lead shrinks
North Smithfield is healthier than 80% of U.S. towns, but 65% of the 7,305 towns with similar household incomes ($82K–$136K). Part of its edge is what towns with its incomes tend to have. Health Grade ↓
Cancer runs high in North Smithfield
1 in 10 adults have had cancer (10.3%), vs 8.4% across Rhode Island. Conditions ↓
Health varies a lot right around North Smithfield
Grades next door run from Smithfield (A) to Woonsocket (C−). North Smithfield is an A−. Around town ↓
Fewer North Smithfield adults struggle to make ends meet
Worries about food, housing, utility bills and getting around all run below Rhode Island. 1 in 10 adults worry about having enough food, vs 1 in 7 adults statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Written from the CDC, Medicare and HRSA data on this page. CDC PLACES 2025 release: modeled estimates for adults, not counts; “higher” and “lower” mean the Rhode Island figure falls outside North Smithfield’s likely range; North Smithfield’s figures come from ZIP codes 02896, 02830, which may reach past town lines; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from B to A.
What’s behind North Smithfield’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, North Smithfield is healthier than 80% of U.S. towns, #24 of 38 in Rhode Island. All seven estimates beat the typical U.S. town. The strongest is smoking (fewer adults who smoke than 86% of towns); the weakest is no exercise, still better than 66%.
Health estimates follow income closely across the country: towns with higher household incomes usually score higher (a correlation of 0.77 across 21,157 graded towns). North Smithfield’s median household income is $108,866; among the 7,305 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($82K–$136K), it’s healthier than 65%, about where its income would put it.
Out of every 100 North Smithfield adults…
North Smithfield runs below RI on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 2. Tap one to see it as people.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
8.5% of North Smithfield adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 13.2% across Rhode Island.
North Smithfield and the towns around it
North Smithfield’s Health Grade ranks 4th of 6 graded towns around it.
Nearby towns are shaded from CDC’s estimates for their ZIP codes, or CDC’s own figure for cities and villages.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Smithfield | A− | 30.1% | 10.5% | 10.2% | ZIP codes |
| Lincoln | A | 29.1% | 10% | 9.7% | ZIP codes |
| Woonsocket | C− | 36% | 13% | 16.8% | CDC place |
| Smithfield | A | 26.9% | 8.8% | 9% | ZIP codes |
| Burrillville | B+ | 31.7% | 10.3% | 12.3% | ZIP codes |
| Cumberland | A− | 29.7% | 9.6% | 10% | ZIP 02864 |
| Cumberland Hill | — | — | — | — |
Cumberland Hill: a Census-designated place inside a larger town, graded as part of it. Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Care in and near North Smithfield
No hospital or community health center in North Smithfield itself. These are the nearest.
Hospitals: Medicare overall star ratings, 1–5. Community health centers charge on a sliding scale by income. Distances are straight-line from the center of North Smithfield; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas (a “population” designation covers specific residents, such as those with low incomes).
Everyday habits, side by side with Rhode Island
Share of adults, with the Rhode Island figure marked.
9.9 miles of trails across 17 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of North Smithfield adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Rhode Island.
How North Smithfield adults are doing
About the same as Rhode Island on each measure.
1 in 3 North Smithfield adults feel lonely. A hello is a start.
Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of North Smithfield adults live with a disability (Rhode Island 27.9%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for North Smithfield
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, North Smithfield is better than Rhode Island on 9 and worse on 2; on the rest, the Rhode Island figure falls inside North Smithfield’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | North Smithfield | RI | U.S. | vs RI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 14.8%12.9–16.8 | 17.3% | 19.4% | Better |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 13.1%11.6–14.5 | 13.2% | 13% | About the same |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 16%14.2–17.8 | 16.7% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 30.1%25.6–34.9 | 31.7% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 10.5%9.2–11.9 | 11.1% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 34.8%31.8–37.9 | 33.8% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 36.4%33.3–39.7 | 34.2% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 28.2%25.6–30.8 | 25.4% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12.4%11.1–13.7 | 11.9% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 10.3%9.5–11.3 | 8.4% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Coronary heart disease | 6.7%6–7.5 | 6.3% | 6.4% | About the same |
| COPD | 6.6%5.7–7.6 | 6.6% | 6.3% | About the same |
| Stroke | 3.3%2.9–3.6 | 3.2% | 3.4% | About the same |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 10.8%9–12.8 | 14.2% | 12.3% | Better |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 10.2%8.5–12 | 11.6% | 11.8% | About the same |
| No exercise outside work | 23.3%19.9–26.8 | 25.4% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 16.5%14.3–18.6 | 16.8% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 34.4%30.2–38.7 | 35% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 4.9%4–6 | 8.2% | 11% | Better |
| Checkup in the past year | 85.4%83.1–87.5 | 84.1% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 73.5%70.6–76.1 | 71.2% | 63.2% | About the same |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 91.9%90.7–93.1 | 89.1% | 87.1% | Better |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 80.6%78.1–82.9 | 77.4% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 74.9%71.5–78 | 73.2% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 84.5%80.4–88.2 | 82.3% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 23.5%20.7–26.5 | 23.2% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 34.2%30.8–37.9 | 35% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 20.4%17.8–23.3 | 22% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 10%8.5–11.8 | 15.1% | 15% | Better |
| Worried about keeping housing | 9.3%8.1–10.9 | 13.1% | 12% | Better |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 5.7%4.9–6.6 | 8% | 7.6% | Better |
| Lack reliable transportation | 5.6%4.9–6.5 | 7.9% | 7.9% | Better |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 8.5%6.9–10.3 | 13.2% | 11.6% | Lower |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 27.3%24.1–30.6 | 27.9% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 12.5%10.9–14.2 | 12.3% | 13.6% | About the same |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 12.2%10.6–13.8 | 13.9% | 13.9% | Lower |
| Hearing difficulty | 7%6.1–7.8 | 6.5% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 3.8%3.3–4.2 | 4.7% | 5.4% | Lower |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 7.2%6.3–8.1 | 7.8% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 3%2.7–3.4 | 3.5% | 3.8% | Lower |
Each figure is the share of adults 18+ unless the label says otherwise; small numbers after it are CDC’s likely range (95% interval). “About the same” means the Rhode Island figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in North Smithfield
Is North Smithfield a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, North Smithfield is healthier than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for health, #24 of 38 in Rhode Island. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 65%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in North Smithfield?
CDC estimates 30.1% of adults have obesity, likely between 25.6% and 34.9%, against 31.7% across Rhode Island and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to North Smithfield?
Landmark Medical Center in Woonsocket, 3.2 miles in a straight line from North Smithfield’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
How many people in North Smithfield have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 4.9% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 4–6%), against 8.2% across Rhode Island.
How accurate are these numbers?
They’re modeled estimates: CDC applies national survey answers to each area’s age, sex, race and education mix, so they describe who lives in North Smithfield more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from B to A.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in North Smithfield.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Rhode Island figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. The Health Grade is our own summary of CDC’s estimates, not an official rating. Ages: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Town boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau. This page isn’t medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.