Grifton is a town in Lenoir

Lenoir County, North Carolina

-Demographics:As of 2005, there were 57,961 people, 23,862 households, and 16,178 families residing in the county. The population density was 149.2 people per square mile . There were 27,940 housing units at an average density of 68 per square mile...

 and Pitt Counties

Pitt County, North Carolina

-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 133,798 people, 52,539 households, and 32,258 families residing in the county. The population density was 205 people per square mile . There were 58,408 housing units at an average density of 90 per square mile...

, North Carolina

North Carolina

North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. The 2008 population was estimated to be 2,240. The town is a part of the Greenville Metropolitan Area

Greenville, North Carolina metropolitan area

The Greenville Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties – Pitt and Greene – in eastern North Carolina, anchored by the city of Greenville...

 located in North Carolina's Inner Banks

Inner Banks

The Inner Banks is a term used by some to describe the inland coastal region of eastern North Carolina, an area on the East Coast of the United States that is 22,227 square-miles by its broadest definition...

 region.

Geography

Grifton is located at 35°22′30"N 77°26′2"W (35.375129, -77.433860).

According to the United States Census Bureau

United States Census Bureau

The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...

, 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

Census

A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...

of 2000, there are 2,073 people, 812 households, and 583 families residing in the town. The population density

Population density

Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...

 is 1,209.4 people per square mile (468.1/km²). There are 1,092 housing units at an average density of 637.1 per square mile (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

Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

, and 0.77% from two or more races. 4.73% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Education

Grifton is served by Grifton School with grades Pre-K through 8. It is administered by the Pitt County

Pitt County, North Carolina

-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 133,798 people, 52,539 households, and 32,258 families residing in the county. The population density was 205 people per square mile . There were 58,408 housing units at an average density of 90 per square mile...

 Public School system. High school students attend nearby Ayden-Grifton High School

Ayden-Grifton High School

Ayden-Grifton High School is a high school in Pitt County, North Carolina, United States. It is located along NC 11 South in between the towns of Ayden, North Carolina and Grifton, North Carolina. Ayden-Grifton High School is one of the six public high schools that make up the Pitt County School...

 which is located between Ayden

Ayden, North Carolina

Ayden is a town in Pitt County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 4,622 at the 2000 census and the 2007 estimated population was 5,005...

 and Grifton.

Higher education is provided through nearby Pitt Community College

Pitt Community College

Pitt Community College, commonly known as PCC, is a two-year accredited institution of higher education and technical training school, and is located in Winterville, North Carolina in Pitt County. The school is part of the North Carolina Community College System, a state-supported body of 58...

 and Lenoir Community College

Lenoir Community College

Lenoir Community College is a community college in Lenoir County, North Carolina offering degree programs and continuing education.LCC's main campus is located in the city of Kinston in Lenoir County...

. East Carolina University

East Carolina University

East Carolina University is a public, coeducational, engaged doctoral/research university located in Greenville, North Carolina, United States. Named East Carolina University by statute and commonly known as ECU or East Carolina, the university is the largest institution of higher learning in...

 is located just north of Grifton in Greenville

Greenville, North Carolina

Greenville is the county seat of Pitt County and principal city of the Greenville, North Carolina metropolitan area. Greenville is the health, entertainment, and educational hub of North Carolina's Tidewater and Coastal Plain and in 2008 was listed as the Tenth Largest City in North Carolina...

.

Constructions

The WITN tower is a guyed TV mast with a height of 1985 feet (605 m) 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

Shad

The shads or river herrings comprise the genus Alosa, fish related to herring in the family Clupeidae. They are distinct from others in that family by having a deeper body and spawning in rivers. The several species frequent different areas on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea....

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

External links

• Official website of Grifton, NC