The area was previously known as Smithdown (Esmedune[1] or Smeedon in Olde English) and dates back to 1086 when it was listed in the Domesday Book.

The upper part of the street separates Toxteth (L8) and Wavertree (L15), two of Liverpool's most ethnically diverse districts; Smithdown Road itself is the hub of Merseyside's Afro-Caribbean community.

Both sides of the entire length of Smithdown Road (approximately 1.7 miles) are populated by commercial buildings, such as shops, supermarkets, restaurants and bars.

In recent years commercial changes have reduced the number of pubs on Smithdown Road to far less than ten, resulting in the end of the tradition [3] The upper part of Smithdown Road provides the official border line between the Liverpool districts of Wavertree (L15) and Toxteth (L8) and these areas have seen tremendous growth, especially since 2008 when Liverpool won the European Capital of Culture award.

The lower part of Smithdown Road provide borders between Wavertree (L15) and the Sefton Park (L17) and Mossley Hill (L18) districts of Liverpool.