Jacksonville
RANK #421 / 996 NAT · #23 / 51 NC · POP 203,686
1YR FORECAST: +0.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +25%
Onslow County, North Carolina, distinguishes itself with its extensive coastline and the historic town of Swansboro, known as the "Friendly City by the Sea." Located in the southeastern coastal plain, approximately 50 miles north of Wilmington and 120 miles east of Raleigh, the county offers a blend of coastal living and rural landscapes. The community provides numerous outdoor recreation opportunities, including over 30 miles of beaches, bike trails, and parks like Hammocks Beach State Park, accessible by ferry to Bear Island. Life in Onslow County is shaped by its significant military presence, with Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River located within its borders. This contributes to a younger average age in the area and a strong sense of community. The public school system serves over 27,000 students across 43 facilities and is considered above average. Recent economic developments show growth in the tourism industry, with visitor spending reaching record levels and supporting local jobs. The county is also seeing investment in various sectors, including efforts to reduce retail and service sector leakage.
Below national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 4.1x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Cypress Creek Renewables Solar Farm (Richlands)
Cypress Creek Renewables
|
$100M | Proposed |
|
Camp Lejeune Battery Energy Storage System & Solar Facility
Duke Energy
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Project Frontier Industrial Park
Jacksonville Onslow Economic Development (JOED)
|
$50M | Completed |
|
OAJ Ellis General Aviation expansion and new entrance road
Onslow County
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Community Resource Hub & Indoor Recreation Facility
Onslow County
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Onslow County scores 57/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#421). Median household income is $59,976 and job growth is running at +1.3%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Onslow County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $196,800 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.30, with rents averaging $1,132/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Onslow County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.0% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.3% clip — and home values reflect that momentum, rising +3.1% over the past 12 months.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.94% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Onslow County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.