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 | 2.68 sq mi (6.95 km2) | |
| • Land | 2.68 sq mi (6.95 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) | |
| Elevation | 20 ft (6 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,448 | |
| • Density | 912.75/sq mi (352.36/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 | 2406620 | |
Grifton is a small town in North Carolina, located across parts of Lenoir and Pitt counties. It's known as "The 'Shad' Capital of North Carolina" because of its famous annual Shad Festival. In 2020, about 2,448 people lived here. Grifton is part of the larger Greenville area and sits in a region called the Inner Banks.
Contents
A Look Back in Time: Grifton's History
Grifton has a long history, dating back to 1756. Back then, it was known as Peter's Ferry. Later, in 1764, it became Blount's Ford.
Bridges and Ferries
In the 1800s, a bridge over Contentnea Creek was burned during the American Civil War. Mr. Coward built a new bridge in 1867, but it didn't last long. So, a blacksmith named Franklin Bell started a ferry service across the creek. This led to the area being called Bell's Ferry.
Even after a new bridge was built in 1869, the name Bell's Ferry stuck. The town was officially recognized, or incorporated, under that name in 1883.
Becoming Grifton
Six years later, the town's name was officially changed to Grifton. This was done to honor a local merchant named C. M. A. Griffin. Soon after, everyone started calling it Grifton.
Exploring Grifton's Geography
Grifton is located on the southern edge of Pitt County. Most of the town is on the northeast side of Contentnea Creek. This creek actually forms the border between Pitt and Lenoir counties. A small part of Grifton is on the southwest side of the creek, in Lenoir County.
Nearby Cities
North Carolina Highway 11 runs just west of Grifton. If you head north on this highway for about 13 miles (21 km), you'll reach Greenville. Greenville is the main city, or county seat, for Pitt County. If you go southwest for about 7 miles (11 km), you'll arrive in Kinston. Kinston is the county seat for Lenoir County.
Land and Water
The United States Census Bureau says that Grifton covers about 2.7 square miles (7.07 square kilometers) of land. There is no significant water area within the town limits. Contentnea Creek flows southeastward and eventually joins the Neuse River.
Grifton's Population Over Time
| Historical population | |||
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| 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% | |
| 2020 | 2,448 | −6.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population of Grifton has changed quite a bit over the years. In 1890, only 121 people lived there. By 2010, the population had grown to 2,617 people. In the most recent 2020 United States census, the town had 2,448 residents.
Who Lives in Grifton?
As of the 2020 census, there were 2,448 people living in Grifton. These residents made up 1,103 households and 762 families. The population includes people from various backgrounds. About 45% of residents identified as White (non-Hispanic), and nearly 40% identified as Black or African American (non-Hispanic). Around 10.7% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Learning in Grifton: Education
Grifton has its own school, Grifton School, which teaches students from Pre-Kindergarten up to 8th grade. This school is part of the Pitt County Public School system.
High School and Beyond
After 8th grade, high school students from Grifton attend Ayden-Grifton High School. This school is located between Grifton and the nearby town of Ayden. For those looking for private education, Arendell Parrott Academy is a K-12 school just south of Grifton.
For higher education, students can attend Pitt Community College in Winterville or Lenoir Community College in Kinston. East Carolina University is also nearby, located north of Grifton in Greenville.
Tall Structures in Grifton
Grifton is home to the WITN tower. This is a very tall TV mast, standing at 1,985 feet (605 meters) high. It's one of the tallest structures in the area.
Fun Times: Local Events
Grifton is known for its lively community events that bring people together.
Grifton Shad Festival
The annual Grifton Shad Festival started in 1971. Citizens wanted to make the town more interesting and create fun, family-friendly activities. The idea for the festival came from Ed Comer, a North Carolina extension agent. Most of the events are free and happen outdoors.
Festival Activities
The festival now has about 40 different events! These include a parade, pony rides, an art show, and even clogging and Hispanic dances. There's also a "lying contest" and a historical museum to visit. For those who like sports, there are athletic competitions, including the unique "Shad Toss" where people throw real fish!
Other fun parts of the festival are:
- A Hickory Shad fishing contest that starts in January.
- SHAD-O, which is Grifton's own version of the game Bingo.
- The "Miss Grifton" pageant, a competition for high school girls.
- Carnival rides and games for everyone to enjoy.
- A craft show where local artists display their work.
- Delicious food prepared by local churches and community groups.
- A Saturday night street dance with local bands playing music.
John Lawson Legacy Days
John Lawson Legacy Days is another annual event. It takes place at the Grifton Historical Museum and Indian Village. This event focuses on history, with people dressed in old costumes, historical interpreters, and demonstrations of old technologies.
Who Was John Lawson?
The event began in 2010 and is named after John Lawson. He was an English explorer, naturalist, and surveyor. In 1701, he traveled through the Carolinas and later wrote a book about his journeys in 1709. Sadly, Lawson was killed by a group of Tuscarora near Grifton in 1711.
Back-N-Time Book Club
The Back-N-Time Book Club is a reading group organized by the Grifton Historical Museum. They work with North Carolina Literacy to help both children and adults enjoy reading.
See also
In Spanish: Grifton para niños
