Rural upstate communities make up the town of Smyrna
The town of Smyrna centers on its namesake village about 50 miles southeast of Syracuse . Rural communities like Upperville and Bonney contribute to the town population, currently around 1,200, and residents enjoy quiet country living within 10 miles of larger towns like Sherburne , Norwich and Hamilton . “I’ve been here my whole life, and Smyrna never really gets talked about,” says Norwich-based real estate agent Tamara Yacano with Howard Hanna Real Estate. “It’s just a very small town.” Among the farmland, the historic Smyrna Town Hall-Opera House was built in 1902 and now serves as a community center and concert hall.
Village charm meets country living in Smyrna
Historic homes in the village of Smyrna sit on small lots with pocket-sized lawns and mature trees. Sidewalks line the main street, and woods and cornfields take over on the rural outskirts, where multiacre properties can include barns and detached garages. Inventory is low, but recent sales include manufactured homes that sold for $67,000 and $92,000 and ranch-style houses that went for $180,000 and $335,000. Smyrna’s CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Strong family support at Sherburne-Earlville schools
Students start at Sherburne-Earlville Elementary School, which receives a Niche grade of C-plus. Sherburne-Earlville Middle receives a C, and Sherburne-Earlville High gets a B. All three schools are about 5 miles away in Sherburne. The district’s Backpack Program and Community Closet provide food, clothing and other essentials to families in need.
Residents head to Norwich and Hamilton for essentials
Smyrna doesn’t have much commerce aside from a few mom-and-pop feed stores, so residents head to nearby towns for shopping and dining. Sherburne has gas stations and a few dining spots, but the Sherburne Big M supermarket closed in March 2025. “You have to come to Norwich or Hamilton to get groceries,” Yacano says. Aldi is about 10 miles away in Norwich, where bars, bistros and casual restaurants line the streets downtown. Hamilton, roughly 10 miles away, is home to Colgate University and a handful of eclectic shops and eateries. Chain restaurants and shopping centers are about 40 miles away in Utica .
Route 80 leads to Sherburne and Syracuse amenities
New York State Route 80 is the primary thoroughfare connecting residents to the schools in Sherburne. It’s a 50-mile drive to Syracuse and the closest major airport. For medical care, most locals head to UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich or Community Memorial Hospital in Hamilton.
Surrounding forests appeal to hikers, hunters and animal enthusiasts
Beaver Meadow State Forest spans over 5,000 acres, with hiking trails, hunting grounds and fishing spots. Campsites are available for multiday trips, and snowmobilers hit the trails during the region’s long, snowy winters. Animal lovers head to The Wolf Mountain Nature Center to observe wolves, coyotes and foxes in their natural habitats.
Seasonal events and festivals feature concerts and canines
Small-town events fill the social calendar. The Smyrna Public Library and Town Hall-Opera House host weekly concerts in July and August, and families gather for Halloween movies at the firehouse after trick-or-treating in the village. In October, the Wolf Mountain Nature Center holds its Honoring the Spirit of the Wolf festival and fundraiser, which features canine-handling demonstrations, live music and a magic show, plus treat-filled pumpkins for the pups.
