Smithville, Georgia
Seal of Georgia
Smithville · Lee County, Georgia
Population 303 (est. 2026: ~200)
Source: Census ACS 2023 · ACS 2023 + -5.94% annual growth projection

Smithville, Georgia

Lee County, Georgia · Population 593

Smithville sits in the flat, pine-heavy landscape of southwest Georgia, roughly 30 miles northeast of Albany and about 10 miles east of Leesburg, the Lee County seat. It is a small, quiet town — the kind of place where most residents know their neighbors and drive somewhere else to work. With fewer than 600 people, Smithville is one of the smaller incorporated places in Lee County, which itself holds around 33,163 residents. The town is not a destination or a commercial hub. It is a residential community rooted in the rural Georgia tradition, positioned within reach of Albany's services and sitting not far from two nationally significant historic sites tied to the region's Civil War and presidential history.

People & Demographics

The Census ACS 2022 survey measured Smithville's population at 320 for its demographic sample. The median age is 43.3 years — older than Georgia's statewide median, reflecting the pattern common to small rural towns that have seen younger residents move toward urban centers. The racial breakdown is closely divided: 179 residents identified as white and 141 as Black. No Asian or Hispanic/Latino residents were recorded in the sample.

There are 156 occupied households, with 101 of those being family households. The average household size is 2.05 — small, and below both county and state averages. Only 38 children under 18 live in town, a number that underscores how few young families are settling here.

Economy & Employment

The median household income in Smithville is $46,250, and the per capita income is $27,968. Both figures sit below Georgia's statewide medians, consistent with the broader pattern across rural southwest Georgia. Of the 144 residents in the labor force, only 4 are unemployed — a low unemployment count, though the small base limits what that figure reveals about economic conditions.

Poverty is a real presence: 44 residents fall below the poverty line, representing a meaningful share of the sample population. Most workers commute out of town for employment, likely toward Albany, Leesburg, or other Lee County employers in agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, and government — the dominant sectors of this part of Georgia.

Housing

Smithville has 249 total housing units, but only 156 are occupied. The 93 vacant units represent a vacancy rate of roughly 37%, a high figure that signals population loss and limited housing demand relative to existing stock. Of occupied units, 97 are owner-occupied and 59 are renter-occupied — a roughly 62/38 split that leans toward ownership, typical for small rural towns.

The median home value is $103,200 — well below Georgia's statewide median, making ownership accessible in raw dollar terms for those with stable income. The median rent of $986, however, is notably high relative to local incomes, and represents a significant cost burden for renters earning near or below the median household income.

Schools

Smithville students attend Lee County public schools, which serve the entire county from multiple campuses. The system is larger than the town itself would suggest, reflecting Smithville's position within a consolidated county school district.

The high school alone enrolls more students than all of Smithville's population, reflecting how consolidated and county-wide these institutions are.

Getting Around

Smithville is car-dependent. Of 140 workers counted in the commute data, 118 drove alone and 22 carpooled. Zero residents reported using public transit, walking, or working from home. The aggregate commute time for all workers totals 6,035 minutes, working out to an average one-way commute of roughly 43 minutes — long by any measure, and consistent with traveling to Albany or other county employment centers on rural Georgia roads.

Healthcare

No hospitals or clinical facilities were identified within Smithville proper. Residents rely on Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, approximately 30 miles west, which serves as the regional healthcare anchor for southwest Georgia. Local provider listings for Smithville can be searched through the CMS NPI Registry.

Library

The Smithville Library serves the local community and can be reached at (229) 846-6625. It is part of the public library network serving Lee County and surrounding areas.

Parks & Recreation

Two nationally significant NPS sites are within reasonable driving distance of Smithville:

The Plains High School Visitor Center and Museum is 24.7 miles away and provides additional context on the Plains/Carter history. For residents and visitors interested in Civil War and presidential history, this corridor of southwest Georgia offers substantial depth within a short drive.

Natural Hazards

Lee County has a long and serious FEMA disaster declaration history. The county has been affected by hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, and drought across multiple decades:

This record spans nearly 60 years and demonstrates that residents of Smithville and Lee County face recurring threats from both tropical weather systems and severe local storms. Preparedness planning and awareness of evacuation routes toward higher ground and regional shelters is a practical necessity, not a precaution.

Government & Municipal Code

Smithville's municipal code is published through Municode and is publicly accessible at library.municode.com/ga/smithville-city-georgia. The city does not have a local building code on file with Municode, meaning construction and building standards likely default to state-level requirements.

Weather

Current forecasts for the Smithville area are available through the National Weather Service. Active weather alerts can be monitored at alerts.weather.gov. The nearest official weather observation station is Leesburg 2, located approximately 2.9 miles from town.

References

The law belongs to the people. Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 590 U.S. (2020)