St. John's Episcopal Church · Photo: Tradewinds · CC BY-SA 3.0Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes, Grifton is healthier than 60%
Grifton differs from North Carolina on 20 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 2 better, 18 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Grifton. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Grifton
Dental care lags in Grifton
51.9% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 63.6% across North Carolina. Among those 65 and older, 26.7% have lost all their teeth (North Carolina 13.9%). Checkups ↓
Stroke, COPD and diabetes run high in Grifton
1 in 18 adults have had a stroke (5.5%), vs 3.6% across North Carolina. 1 in 10 adults have COPD (10.2%), vs 7.1% across North Carolina. Diabetes is also above the state: 17%, vs 12% across North Carolina. In all, Grifton runs above North Carolina on seven of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Grifton
1 in 4 adults worry about having enough food (24.4%), vs 15.2% across North Carolina. Utility shut-off threats (13.6% vs 8.1%) and housing insecurity (18.7% vs 12.2%) are higher too. 23.3% of adults receive SNAP, vs 12.3% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Grifton is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Grifton is healthier than 11%. Against the 1,583 towns with similar household incomes ($28K–$46K), it’s healthier than 60%. Health Grade ↓
Written from the CDC, Medicare and HRSA data on this page. CDC PLACES 2025 release: modeled estimates for adults, not counts; “higher” and “lower” mean the North Carolina figure falls outside Grifton’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to C+.
What’s behind Grifton’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Grifton is healthier than 11% of U.S. towns, #260 of 289 in North Carolina. Mental distress holds the grade up (fewer adults with frequent mental distress than 28% of U.S. towns); obesity pulls it down (better than 5%).
Health estimates follow income closely across the country: towns with higher household incomes usually score higher (a correlation of 0.77 across 21,157 graded towns). Grifton’s median household income is $36,794; among the 1,583 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($28K–$46K), it’s healthier than 60%, more than its income alone would suggest.
Where Grifton compares well: binge drinking, 12.2% (U.S. 15.4%); taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure), 80.7% (U.S. 76.5%).
Keeping up with care
Share of Grifton adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks North Carolina.
Out of every 100 Grifton adults…
Grifton runs above NC on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
23.3% of Grifton adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 12.3% across North Carolina.
Care in and near Grifton
No hospital or community health center in Grifton itself. These are the nearest.
Hospitals: Medicare overall star ratings, 1–5. Community health centers charge on a sliding scale by income. Distances are straight-line from the center of Grifton; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas (a “population” designation covers specific residents, such as those with low incomes).
Everyday habits, side by side with North Carolina
Share of adults, with the North Carolina figure marked.
0.1 miles of trails across 3 parks and preserves
How Grifton adults are doing
About the same as North Carolina on each measure.
1 in 3 Grifton adults feel lonely. A hello is a start.
Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.
Grifton and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Grifton adults live with a disability (North Carolina 32%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Grifton
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Grifton is better than North Carolina on 2 and worse on 18; on the rest, the North Carolina figure falls inside Grifton’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Grifton | NC | U.S. | vs NC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 26.1%22.8–29.3 | 19% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 16%14.1–17.9 | 12.7% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 18.3%16.2–20.4 | 16.5% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 43.9%36.9–50.5 | 35.1% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 17%14.9–19.1 | 12% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 44%39.9–47.8 | 36.8% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 37.9%33.9–41.8 | 35.6% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 33%29.6–36.2 | 26.9% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12.1%10.7–13.5 | 10.8% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 8.1%7.3–9 | 7.9% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 8.9%7.9–9.8 | 6.6% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 10.2%8.9–11.6 | 7.1% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 5.5%4.9–6 | 3.6% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 26.7%22.6–31.3 | 13.9% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 18.2%15.5–20.9 | 13.5% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 32.7%27.9–37.4 | 23.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 12.2%10–14.6 | 14.7% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 39.5%33.4–45.6 | 34.2% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 12.9%10.6–15.3 | 10.4% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 81.6%78.6–84.4 | 80% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 51.9%48–55.7 | 63.6% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 87%85.1–88.7 | 87.5% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 80.7%78.3–82.9 | 76.7% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 62.3%57.2–67.1 | 65.7% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 75.9%68.6–82.2 | 78.7% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 24.5%21.1–28 | 24.2% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 34.5%29.8–39.3 | 32.5% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 25.6%22.1–29.3 | 22.5% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 24.4%21–27.8 | 15.2% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 18.7%16.2–21.2 | 12.2% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 13.6%11.8–15.3 | 8.1% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 12.7%11.1–14.3 | 8.4% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 23.3%20.1–26.6 | 12.3% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 39.8%35.2–44.3 | 32% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 21.3%18.6–23.8 | 14.2% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 18.1%15.9–20.3 | 14.8% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 9.1%8–10.1 | 7.3% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 8.4%7.5–9.2 | 5.3% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 11.9%10.4–13.3 | 8.2% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 6.5%5.7–7.2 | 4% | 3.8% | Higher |
Each figure is the share of adults 18+ unless the label says otherwise; small numbers after it are CDC’s likely range (95% interval). “About the same” means the North Carolina figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Grifton
Is Grifton a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Grifton is healthier than 11% of U.S. towns: D for health, #260 of 289 in North Carolina. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Grifton?
CDC estimates 43.9% of adults have obesity, likely between 36.9% and 50.5%, against 35.1% across North Carolina and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Grifton?
UNC Lenoir Health Care in Kinston, 10.0 miles in a straight line from Grifton’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
How many people in Grifton have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 12.9% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 10.6–15.3%), against 10.4% across North Carolina.
How accurate are these numbers?
They’re modeled estimates: CDC applies national survey answers to each area’s age, sex, race and education mix, so they describe who lives in Grifton more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to C+.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Grifton.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The North Carolina figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. The Health Grade is our own summary of CDC’s estimates, not an official rating. Ages: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Town boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau. This page isn’t medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.