Smyrna is one of the closest suburbs to Atlanta, located near the northern intersection of I-285 and I-75, which is the site of Cumberland and the Cobb Galleria. It is also near Vinings, Marietta, and Mableton, Sandy Springs and the affluent Buckhead district of Atlanta.
As of the census of 2000, there were 40,999 people, 18,372 households, and 9,498 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,949.9 people per square mile (1,138.8/km²). There were 19,633 housing units at an average density of 1,412.6/sq mi (545.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 59.4% White, 27.2% African American, 0.4% Native American, 3.9% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 6.6% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.8% of the population.
There were 18,372 households out of which 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.2% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.3% were non-families. 37.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the city the population was spread out with 19.5% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 43.8% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $47,572, and the median income for a family was $53,821. Males had a median income of $38,896 versus $35,465 for females. The per capita income for the city was $27,637. About 6.7% of families and 8.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.
Smyrna is located near three interstate highways: I-75, I-20, and I-285. Downtown Atlanta is a 15-minute drive at off-peak hours via I-75. In addition, several principal arterial roadways, such as Cobb Parkway (U.S. Highway 41), Atlanta Road (Old State Highway 3) and South Cobb Drive (State Highway 280), pass through the municipality.
Smyrna may have a future stop on the Marietta-Atlanta commuter rail line being proposed by the Georgia Rail Passenger Program