Grifton, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Grifton, North Carolina
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Commercial buildings along Queen Street
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| Nickname(s):
"The 'Shad' Capital of North Carolina"
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| Motto(s):
"Come Home To...The Family Town!"
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Location of Grifton, North Carolina
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| Country | United States | |
| State | North Carolina | |
| Counties | Lenoir, Pitt | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 2.73 sq mi (7.07 km2) | |
| • Land | 2.73 sq mi (7.07 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) | |
| Elevation | 26 ft (8 m) | |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 2,617 | |
| • Estimate
(2019)
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2,682 | |
| • Density | 982.78/sq mi (379.50/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | |
| ZIP code |
28530
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| Area code(s) | 252 | |
| FIPS code | 37-28200 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 1024010 | |
Grifton is a town in Pitt and Lenoir counties, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,617 at the 2010 census. The Pitt County portion of the town is a part of the Greenville Metropolitan Area located in North Carolina's Inner Banks region.
Contents
History
The town was named after C.M.A. Griffin.
Geography
Grifton is located at 35°22′30″N 77°26′2″W / 35.37500°N 77.43389°W (35.375129, -77.433860).
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
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 121 | — | |
| 1900 | 229 | 89.3% | |
| 1910 | 291 | 27.1% | |
| 1920 | 375 | 28.9% | |
| 1930 | 403 | 7.5% | |
| 1940 | 456 | 13.2% | |
| 1950 | 510 | 11.8% | |
| 1960 | 1,816 | 256.1% | |
| 1970 | 1,860 | 2.4% | |
| 1980 | 2,179 | 17.2% | |
| 1990 | 2,393 | 9.8% | |
| 2000 | 2,073 | −13.4% | |
| 2010 | 2,617 | 26.2% | |
| 2019 (est.) | 2,682 | 2.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 census
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 1,107 | 45.22% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 978 | 39.95% |
| Native American | 6 | 0.25% |
| Asian | 7 | 0.29% |
| Pacific Islander | 2 | 0.08% |
| Other/Mixed | 86 | 3.51% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 262 | 10.7% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,448 people, 1,103 households, and 762 families residing in the town.
Constructions
The WITN tower is a guyed TV mast with a height of 1,985 feet (605 m) located in the town.
Local events
Shad Festival
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 1
- 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
John Lawson Legacy Days
John Lawson Legacy Days is an annual event held at the Grifton Historical Museum and Indian Village, focusing on reenactors, historic interpreters, and historical technology demonstrations. The event was first held in 2010 and is named after John Lawson, an English explorer, naturalist and surveyor who traveled through the Carolinas in 1701 and published a book about his travels in 1709. Lawson was killed by a group of Tuscarora near Grifton in 1711.
Back-N-Time Book Club
Back-N-Time Book Club is a book club organized by the Grifton Historical Museum in combination with North Carolina Literacy to introduce children and adults to reading.
Education
Grifton is served by Grifton School with grades Pre-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. Just south of Grifton is the private K-12 school Arendell Parrott Academy.
Higher education is provided through Pitt Community College in Winterville and Lenoir Community College in Kinston. East Carolina University is located north of Grifton in Greenville.
See also
In Spanish: Grifton para niños
