Grifton, North Carolina

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Grifton is a town in Pitt County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 2,073. The town is a part of the Greenville Metropolitan Area located in North Carolina's Inner Banks region.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Constructions
4 The Shad Festival
5 See Also
6 External links

[edit] Geography

Grifton is located at 35°22′30″N, 77°26′2″W (35.375129, -77.433860)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.4 km² (1.7 mi²). None of the area is covered with water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there are 2,073 people, 812 households, and 583 families residing in the town. The population density is 468.1/km² (1,209.4/mi²). There are 1,092 housing units at an average density of 246.6/km² (637.1/mi²). 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.

[edit] Constructions

The WITN Tower is a guyed TV mast with a height of 605 metres in Grifton, North Carolina.

[edit] The Shad Festival

In 1969, the town of Grifton established an annual festival as a way of increasing revenue and interest in the town. The Shad was recommended by then North Carolina extension agent Ed Comer. The idea caught on and was estblished as a recurring annual festival with over 30 events.

The annual celebration includes:

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

Admission and parking is free. Ride prices vary.