In addition to Indiana's beloved Greenwood, it's fascinating and surprising to discover how many other U.S. states also have a city or town called Greenwood. The Greenwood surname is English and toponymical. Modern usage of this name didn't stray far from its root, which refers to those living at or near green forests/trees. Additionally, the metaphor of “green wood” in spiritual contexts often symbolizes vitality, life or innocence.
Even William Shakespeare included Greenwood in his play As You Like It within the song and poem "Under the Greenwood Tree" [Act II, Scene 5]. The poet invites people to come and live happily under the greenwood tree, free from ambition and enemies. The only hardships will be winter and rough weather. Perhaps Shakespeare modeled off the local hiemal season, eh?
Locally, the first post office was established in 1828 and was named "Greenfield." The town was renamed "Greenwood" in 1833 when residents discovered there already was a Greenfield in Hancock County, Indiana.
Of course, it's fun to note that Greenwood (Indiana) originally was called "Smocktown," or sometimes "Smock's Settlement." It earned that name because the area was settled and founded by brothers John B. and Isaac Smock, along with pioneer families sharing the Smock surname.
Greenwood (Indiana) has an estimated population of 70,273 residents in 2026. The city is experiencing a steady annual growth rate of about 1.52%, according to World Population Review statistics, and appears to be the largest, officially designated city presently and proudly carrying the Greenwood name.
Other Greenwoods are:
- Missouri, population 6,339.
- Pennsylvania, population 3,146.
- South Carolina, population 22,721.
- Mississippi, population 13,122.
- Arkansas, population 9,833.
- Louisiana, population 3,059.
- Delaware, population between 1,100 and 1,560.
- Florida, population 570 to 803.
- Maine, population 759.
- Minnesota, population 699.
- Nebraska, population 617.
- New York, population 699 to 756.
- Wisconsin, city in Clark County, population 1,080.
Smaller Greenwoods:
- South Dakota, as a township, population 8.
- Illinois, village with population 315 to 502.
- Wisconsin, an unincorporated community in Vernon County.
- California, unincorporated community in El Dorado County with approximately 1,007 to 1,300 residents.
- Georgia, small, unincorporated rural community in Mitchell County.
- Michigan: Greenwood Township (St. Clair County) 1,466 residents. Greenwood Township (Oscoda County) 1,227 residents. Greenwood Township (Clare County) 1,218 residents. Greenwood Township (Oceana County) 1,184 residents. Greenwood Township (Wexford County) 942 projected.
- Tennessee, as neighborhoods, Clarksville (Montgomery County): The Greenwood neighborhood south of downtown has a population of approximately 4,500 to 6,500 residents. Nashville (Davidson County): The Greenwood area in East Nashville houses roughly 1,100 to 2,700 residents.
- Texas, unincorporated community of Greenwood in Midland County, with an estimated population of 3,864 residents.
- Virginia, unincorporated community of in Albemarle County with an estimated population of 400 to 550 residents.
- Washington, as an incorporated neighborhood and not a standalone city in Seattle, with an estimated population of 18,689.
- West Virginia, as an unincorporated community in Doddridge County, with no public records of population.
- Wisconsin, town in Taylor County, has approximately 620 to 650 residents.
- Wisconsin, town in Vernon County, has an estimated population of 925 residents.
- West Virginia, as an unincorporated community in Morgan County.
Former Greenwoods:
- Arizona, currently officially classified as an uninhabited or sparsely populated ghost town in Mohave County.
- Idaho, historically an unincorporated farming community in Jerome County, but it was essentially dissolved after the construction of Interstate 84 split the area in the early 1960s.
- West Virginia, Fayette County, is a ghost town, abandoned for more than a century and was last seen on U.S. Geological Survey maps around 1912.
Canada also has six Greenwoods, located in different provinces. There's one place named Greenwood in Jamaica. Even Western Australia has a Greenwood in Perth.