Grifton, North Carolina
Location of Grifton, North Carolina
Coordinates: 35°22′30″N 77°26′2″W / 35.375, -77.43389
Country	United States
State	North Carolina
Counties	Pitt, Lenoir
Government
- Mayor	Billy Ray Jackson
Area
- Total	1.7 sq mi (4.4 km²)
- Land	1.7 sq mi (4.4 km²)
- Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²)
Elevation	26 ft (8 m)
Population (2000)
- Total	2,073
- Density	1,209.4/sq mi (466.9/km²)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	28530
Area code(s)	252
FIPS code	37-28200[1]
GNIS feature ID	1024010[2]

Grifton is a town in Lenoir and Pitt Counties, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 2,073. The 2006 population was estimated to be 2,476.^[3] The town is a part of the Greenville Metropolitan Area located in North Carolina's Inner Banks region.

Geography

Grifton is located at 35°22′30″N, 77°26′2″W (35.375129, -77.433860)^[4].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.4 km²). Contentnea Creek bisects the town and divides the Pitt County section from the Lenoir County section.

Demographics

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there are 2,073 people, 812 households, and 583 families residing in the town. The population density is 1,209.4 people per square mile (468.1/km²). There are 1,092 housing units at an average density of 637.1/sq mi (246.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town is 63.24% White, 33.19% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.24% Pacific Islander, 2.32% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. 4.73% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 812 households out of which 29.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% are married couples living together, 16.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% are non-families. 25.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.49 and the average family size is 2.96.

In the town the population is spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 85.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $34,853, and the median income for a family is $40,875. Males have a median income of $31,207 versus $25,043 for females. The per capita income for the town is $16,488. 17.5% of the population and 12.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 31.7% of those under the age of 18 and 12.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Education

Grifton is served by Grifton School with grades K through 8. It is administered by the Pitt County Public School system. High school students attend nearby Ayden-Grifton High School which is located between Ayden and Grifton.

Higher education is provided through nearby Pitt Community College and Lenoir Community College. East Carolina University is located just north of Grifton in Greenville.

Constructions

The WITN tower is a guyed TV mast with a height of 1,985 feet located in the town.

Local events

In 1971, citizens in the town of Grifton established the annual Grifton Shad Festival as a way to increase interest in the town and to provide family-oriented fun for all ages working together. The Shad Festival was suggested by then North Carolina extension agent Ed Comer. Most events are free and outdoors. There are now 40 events, ranging from parade and pony rides to art show, clogging, Hispanic dances, lying contest, historical museum and athletic competitions, including the Shad Toss (throwing real fish).

The annual celebration includes:

• Hickory Shad fishing contest starting January 1st
• SHAD-O (Grifton's version of Bingo)
• The "Miss Grifton" pageant, a competition for high-school aged girls
• Carnival rides and games
• Craft show
• Food prepared by local churches and civic organizations
• Saturday night street dance featuring local bands

References

External links

• Official website of Grifton, NC www.grifton.com (click on drawing of fish for Shad Festival info)
• Shad Festival

• Grifton, North Carolina is at coordinates 35°22′31″N 77°26′02″W / 35.375129, -77.43386 (Grifton, North Carolina)Coordinates: 35°22′31″N 77°26′02″W / 35.375129, -77.43386 (Grifton, North Carolina)

v â€¢ d â€¢ e Municipalities and communities of Lenoir County, North Carolina County seat: Kinston City Kinston Towns Grifton | La Grange | Pink Hill

v â€¢ d â€¢ e Municipalities and communities of Pitt County, North Carolina County seat: Greenville City Greenville Towns Ayden | Bethel | Falkland | Farmville | Fountain | Grifton | Grimesland | Simpson | Winterville Unincorporated community House