Town · North Carolina
Grifton, North Carolina
Grifton, town, mostly in Pitt County (94.0% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Lenoir County, North Carolina. Grifton had 2,539 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.0% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 2,448 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 2,515 (±523). GEOID 3728200.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
2,539
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 2,448 · ACS 2020-2024: 2,515 ±523
Median household income
$36,794
±$7,775 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$152,700
±$40,634 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
not published
North Carolina: $1,228
Where is Grifton and what county is it in?
Grifton is a town mostly in Pitt County (94.0% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Lenoir County, North Carolina. It covers 2.7 square miles of land, 913 residents per square mile in 2020.
Grifton is in the Greenville, NC metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pitt County | 2,301 | 94.0% |
| Lenoir County | 147 | 6.0% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Grifton, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 2,539 people lived in Grifton on July 1, 2025, up 4.0% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020 Census counted 2,448 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 2,515 (±523).
| Measure | Grifton | Pitt County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 2,515 ±523 | 177,193 | no clear change |
| Households | 1,096 ±257 | 74,533 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.26 ±0.34 | 2.30 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,283 ±258 | 82,638 | no clear change |
Grifton's population since 2000
From 2,073 in 2000 to 2,539 in 2025: up 22.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Grifton as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Grifton?
The median resident of Grifton is 35.6 years old; 23.4% are under 18 and 18.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 40.1%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 38.8%. 3.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Grifton | Pitt County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.6 ±3.3 | 33.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.4% ±6.0 pts | 21.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.2% ±6.2 pts | 14.5% | – |
| Male | 44.8% ±6.7 pts | 47.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 17.1% ±8.3 pts | 7.9% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 40.1% ±11.8 pts | 51.9% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 38.8% ±13.2 pts | 34.7% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.2% ±3.6 pts | 2.0% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.7 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.7 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.0% ±0.9 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.8% ±1.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.9% ±2.3 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 13.2% ±8.2 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.4% ±4.3 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 20.7% ±6.4 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.5% ±4.1 pts | 10.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.5% ±4.8 pts | 90.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 14.7% ±6.2 pts | 33.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.2% ±4.4 pts | 14.3% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 90.1% ±9.2 pts | 81.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.0% ±1.7 pts | 3.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Grifton earn?
Half of Grifton's 1,096 households earn less than $36,794 a year (±$7,775), against $58,188 in Pitt County and $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $38,773 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 32.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Grifton | Pitt County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $36,794 ±$7,775 | $58,188 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $54,382 ±$14,287 | $80,803 | – |
| Per capita income | $24,486 ±$5,376 | $34,160 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 32.7% ±9.5 pts | 19.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 43.6% ±18.6 pts | 21.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 35.1% ±12.8 pts | 15.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 82.8% ±11.6 pts | 94.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 79.4% ±10.8 pts | 88.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Grifton?
Owners occupy 37.6% of Grifton's occupied homes and renters 62.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $152,700 by its owner (±$40,634).
| Measure | Grifton | Pitt County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $152,700 ±$40,634 | $208,900 | +$49,568 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 21.9% ±13.4 pts | 42.3% | −22.6 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,151 ±$141 | $1,467 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 37.6% ±11.5 pts | 51.4% | −17.3 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 62.4% ±11.5 pts | 48.6% | – |
| Housing units | 1,283 ±258 | 82,638 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±9.8 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±6.0 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 57.8% ±12.6 pts | 48.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 12.4% ±5.3 pts | 10.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8% ±0.8 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 4.6% ±3.6 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.4% ±2.7 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 20.5% ±12.9 pts | 9.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Grifton work and get to work?
81.5% of Grifton's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 24.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 18.3%.
| Measure | Grifton | Pitt County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.7% ±8.8 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 18.3% ±8.1 pts | 7.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 81.5% ±12.6 pts | 75.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 14.9% ±12.9 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±4.0 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 2.4% ±2.7 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 1.0% ±1.6 pts | 11.9% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.5 min ±3.9 | 22.1 min | −5.4 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Grifton?
1 census tract lies mostly in Grifton, and 4 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 15Pitt County | 3,224 | $41,071 |
| Tract 14.04Pitt County | 1,657 | $27,543 |
| Tract 101Lenoir County | 4,463 | $36,809 |
| Tract 14.02Pitt County | 2,872 | $41,555 |
| Tract 16.01Pitt County | 3,999 | $97,846 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Grifton) · Census block assignment files
How does Grifton compare with other places in North Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Grifton is the 6,857th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 233rd-most populous of 549 in North Carolina.
Grifton ranks 408th of 434 places in North Carolina with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 233rd | 549 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 185th | 331 |
| Residents per square mile | 219th | 443 |
| Median household income | 408th | 434 |
| Per capita income | 380th | 443 |
| Median home value | 373rd | 438 |
| Poverty rate | 28th | 341 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 364th | 421 |
| Median age | 369th | 442 |
| Owner-occupied share | 435th | 443 |
| Travel time to work | 211th | 439 |
Grifton's figures with every place in North Carolina (CSV)
Every place in North Carolina, sortable · Compare Grifton with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Grifton?
15 of the 56 figures for Grifton on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Grifton are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Grifton.