The Town of Smithfield was set off from Providence and chartered as a town in 1730. It was extensively settled by the Quakers. In 1871, a portion of Smithfield was annexed to Woonsocket and the remainder of the community was divided into three towns, Smithfield, North Smithfield and Lincoln.
Today Smithfield is a growing community located in the center of the industrial triangle formed by the cities of Providence, Woonsocket and Worcester, Massachusetts. Agriculture still plays an important role in the town due to the numerous apple orchards located there. Smithfield is known throughout Rhode island as "Apple Country".
Smithfield is located in Providence County northwest of Providence between Woonsocket and Greenville along Interstate 295 near Woonsocket Reservoir.
