Small-town vibes and chicken pies in Georgia
Smithville is a Lee County city known for farming and chicken pies. The annual Chicken Pie Festival honors the community's history; agriculture and manufacturing have remained a top industry in the area. The Morgan Farm, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, has been owned and operated by the same family for over 100 years. "I moved here in 2002. I like this community because our crime rate and the cost of living are very low. And there is a nice, country feel to it, and we like that," says Ilean Bady, a Smithville City Council member and founder of the Community Enrichment Foundation. "It's a nice, quaint town where people come to your aid when you need help." The area has a CAP Index crime score of 1 out of 10, significantly lower than the national average of 4.
Many locals move here for the Lee County School System and easy commutes to work. "Smithville is more of a bedroom community; most people who live here either work in Americus, Albany or Leesburg," says Lisa Davis, a Georgia native and the owner of The Brokerage Real Estate Company. "Most people move here to live in Lee County, which is known for its great school system."
Shopping in Leesburg and Americus
Several old buildings dating from the early 1900s are no longer in use. However, the area has multiple processing facilities, including Smithville Peanut Company and McCleskey Mills. "We have a walk-up restaurant, Dot's Country Kitchen. They have soul food, and everyone loves them. When you want a sit-down restaurant, we go to Leesburg or Americus," Bady says. Leesburg has an IGA Supermarket about 13 miles from the center of town. Walmart Supercenter is about 15 miles north in Americus.
Homes don't enter the market often in Smithville
Long stretches of country lanes and unpaved clay roads run throughout the area. "It's a rural community with a lot of farmlands. Some people have lived there all their lives and are likely on family property," Davis says. In Smithville proper, the residential streets are dotted with homes that sit close together. The community contains ranch styles, farmhouses and manufactured homes. Housing prices range between $85,000 and $200,000. Houses don't often come on the market, but plots of land are available. "It's a nice homey feel. My neighbors' kids are always outside playing in the front yard," Bady says. The region has a minor risk of wildfires, and hurricanes can cause significant damage to the region, as happened in 2018 when Hurricane Michael churned across Georgia and again in 2024 when Hurricane Helene hit.
Events sponsored by City Council and the Community Enrichment Foundation
Bady says local churches, like Smithville Baptist Church, partner with the City Council for events and community programs. Smithville's largest event is the annual Chicken Pie Festival. "There used to be a hotel here and a passage train would come through. They would stop, go to the hotel and eat chicken pies. And they started the festival from that," Bady says. "We still have it every year on the fourth weekend in October." The event includes live music, an antique car show and a chicken pie contest. "Community Enrichment Foundation has a Back to School Bash for kids where we give out school supplies," Bady says. The Foundation also hosts an Adult Prom every year. During the winter, the city holds a tree-lighting ceremony and a Christmas festival.
Upcoming changes Smithville Park
The local library shares the same building as Smithville's government office. Next door is a public green space with stone benches and a gazebo. "We also have a park with a playground, but we are in the process of putting in a walking track," Bady says. "We are also adding pickleball, a basketball court and bleachers." The Community Enrichment Foundation offers health education workshops, dance classes and crafting activities. "[The foundation] has several outreach programs that promote engagement, enhance well-being and build a strong community," Bady says.
Learning in Lee County
Kinchafoonee Primary School enrolls kindergarteners to second graders; the school has a B rating on Niche. Twin Oaks Elementary School accepts third to fifth grade; the elementary has a B-plus. Lee County Middle School West earns an A-minus. All public-school students attend Lee County High School Ninth Grade Campus, which has a B. Lee County High School receives a B-plus. Families may apply for school choice options with the Lee County School System during the spring semester.
Commutes on U.S. Route 19
State Route 118 cuts through Smithville proper, bringing drivers to nearby communities. Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, in Americus, is around 12 miles north by way of U.S. Route 19. The roadway also leads to Leesburg to the south. The city of Albany and the Southwest Georgia Regional Airport are about 23 miles away.
Written By
Ashley Kennedy
