Tennessee

Smith

19,904
2020 population
1800
first census record
23
census records

About Smith

Smith, Tennessee, first appears in the United States federal census in 1800, when it recorded a population of 4,294. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 19,904.

Its recorded population peaked at 21,179 in 1840, and has since declined by roughly 6 percent.

On the ground today, 2 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Skirmish at Carthage, Tennessee, Action at Carthage, and 13 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202019,904
201019,166
200017,712
199014,143
198014,935
197012,509
196012,059
195014,098
194016,148
193015,473
192017,134
191018,548
190019,026
189018,404
188017,799
187015,994
186016,357
185018,412
184021,179
183019,906
182017,580
181011,649
18004,294
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Smith

Military engagements that took place in Smith, Tennessee.

Skirmish at Carthage, Tennessee
1862
Action at Carthage
1862

Historic places in Smith

National Register of Historic Places listings in Smith, Tennessee.

Dixona
Dixon Springs
Carthage United Methodist Church
Carthage
Cullum Mansion
Carthage
Bradley, James, House
Dixon Springs
Fite-Williams-Ligon House
Carthage
Hull, Cordell, Bridge
Carthage
Davis-Hull House
Carthage
Browse all Tennesseehistoric sites ›

Other counties in Tennessee

Explore census history and historic records for more Tennessee counties.

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Everything a full report reveals about Smith County, Tennessee

This page charts the census history of Smith County, Tennessee. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Frequently asked about Smith

When does Smith first appear in the US census?
Smith, Tennessee first appears in the federal census in 1800, with a recorded population of 4,294.
What is the population of Smith?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Smith had a recorded population of 19,904.
When did Smith's population peak?
Smith's recorded population peaked at 21,179 in 1840.
Were any battles fought in Smith?
2 documented military engagements took place in Smith, including Skirmish at Carthage, Tennessee, Action at Carthage.
How many historic places are in Smith?
13 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Smith, Tennessee.
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