EZ Home Search Guide to Living in Onslow County, NC 

Are you thinking about living in Onslow County, North Carolina? You’re looking at a great place to live! The proud home of US Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Onslow County is a place of American pride and bountiful outdoor experiences. The county offers over 30 miles of beaches, rivers, and oceanfront. Large tracts of inland acres are preserved in forests, making the game lands rich with wildlife. 

Explore the Onslow County profile to see why residents enjoy living on this slice of the North Carolina coast.

About Onslow County

Onslow County sits along the Atlantic seaboard in North Carolina, about 120 miles east of capital Raleigh and 50 miles north of Wilmington. Large sections of the county are allocated to Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base.  

Much of the area is flat or gently rolling coastal plains terrain. The New River runs up the middle of the county. Fun fact: this geographical feature is the only river to originate and exit in the same county. Near the New River head sits the county seat of Jacksonville. 

Camp Lejeune occupies around 156,000 acres inside Onslow County, but another large portion of the county is preserved through the Hofmann Forest, a 79,036-acre tract of university-owned research forest.

Surrounding Onslow County are the counties of Carteret, Jones, Duplin, and Pender. The White Oak River comprises part of the northern border.

Coastal Highway 17 runs through Onslow County and is a major artery for getting around.

Residents enjoy a primarily temperate climate with 215 sunny days per year. The summer high hits around 89F degrees in July, and January lows average around 32F. Spring and fall are the most comfortable months. The area does receive around 56 inches of rain, which is greater than the US average of 38 inches. However, while it experiences colder periods, snow is pretty rare.  

In addition to a mild climate, the residents report an affordable cost of living. The cost of living index places the United States average as 100. Onslow had an index of 86.7, meaning it is more affordable than many places in the United States and North Carolina. The most affordable indexed category was housing, which came in at 63.9. The most expensive was healthcare at 122.

Onslow County History

The waterways and longleaf pine forests attracted European settlers into the area. The Onslow Precinct was formed in 1734 from the New Hanover Precinct; it was named after a Speaker of the House of Commons in the British Parliament. 

It was originally a collection of agricultural and maritime communities, even though the 19th century. The longleaf pine forests were important producers of turpentine used in the shipbuilding industry and for their lumber. Even to this day, timber remains an essential resource in the county. The rich farmlands produced agricultural goods essential to sustaining the economy through the 1800s.

The courthouse, often a regional epicenter in America’s early years, was relocated to Watland’s Ferry in 1752. A new courthouse was authorized to be established on the same side of the river, with the settlement laid out and named Jacksonville after President Andrew Jackson. The town was incorporated in 1842 and became the county seat. Its location on the New River was important for transportation and its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, and the abundance of marine life.

The area’s resources were key to economic expansion between World War I and World War II. Many people were attracted to the region, in particular fishermen and gun clubs, who enjoyed the area’s abundant natural resources. 

The outbreak of World War II halted the recreation industry boom. However, the area’s location and topography attracted the US government’s attention. Onslow County was dramatically changed when it was chosen to establish the Army’s Camp Davis near Holly Ridge and the creation of Camp Lejeune in the 1940s.

Today, Camp Lejeune encompasses one-third of the county’s acreage. Camp Davis Army Training Base closed in 1944.

While establishing the military base has been important for Onslow County’s economy since World War II, its location has also been an advantage. The tourism and recreation industry rebounded. People came into the area for its Atlantic Ocean beaches to enjoy numerous boating and leisure pursuits. They also come for the forests, the golfing, and the hunting opportunities.

Onslow County Cities and Areas

Historically, much of Onslow County has been rural, and it still is to a fair degree. However, the establishment of Camp Lejeune has spurred modern development in and around Jacksonville.

Onslow County breaks itself into nine areas with unique attributes. These include Richlands, Hofmann Forest, Swansboro, Jacksonville, Camp Lejeune, Sneads Ferry, North Topsail Beach, Holly Ridge, and Verona.

Jacksonville serves as the county seat. Modern Jacksonville is an economic center of shopping and dining opportunities for all residents. Located on the New River, it lies within a half-hour drive of the Atlantic Ocean. Residents enjoy scenic views along the Riverwalk and ample access to water recreation. 

Camp Lejeune is a 246-square mile training site that has 14 miles of beaches on the Atlantic Ocean. On occasion, visitors can glimpse amphibious assault training. The camp draws visitors to the area, families of active service members, and veterans who enjoyed their time in the Coastal Carolina region.

Onslow County is home to some beautiful North Carolina beaches. Its crowning jewel is North Topsail Beach, which offers 12 miles of unspoiled and family-friendly sandy beachfront. The drive over the high-rise bridge to Topsail Island has a broad sweeping ocean view.

Swansboro sits on the Intracoastal Waterway and Bogue Sound. The historic waterfront is known as the “Friendly City By The Sea,” with shopping, dining, historic sites, and more access to the area’s natural resources.

The community of Verona is seven miles south of Jacksonville, off of Coastal Highway 17. The roots of this city go back to the early 1800s. It’s now part of the city of Jacksonville and part of the success of the Marine Corps base.

The unincorporated community of Hubert is a residential area that captures the feel of an eastern North Carolina coastal lifestyle. This region is a haven for those who love outdoor recreation and quick access to the area’s waterways.

Onslow County Job Market

The Department of Defense is an important driver of the region’s economy, and it is the county’s largest employer, followed by the Onslow County Board of Education. Other top employers by size include the Marine Corp Exchange Service, Walmart Associates, the County of Onslow, Onslow Memorial Hospital, and the City of Jacksonville. 

The leading industries for employment are healthcare and social service, retail, accommodation and food service, and education.

The top available jobs by occupation are in office and administrative support, sales, executive or management administration, food prep and service, and education.

The unemployment rate for Onslow County as of July 2021 was 5%.

Onslow County Real Estate Market

Based on figures from the July 2021 market report, Onslow County has seen an increase in median sales prices thanks to the high demand for housing. The median sales price was $204,000, a 9% increase over July 2020. The days on market was down to an average of 11 days, an 83% drop.

The Onslow County real estate market had slightly more listings active on the market. For the latest on the real estate market in Jacksonville and the surrounding county, refer to EZ Home Search.

Onslow County Demographics

As of the 2020 Census, Onslow County had 204,576 residents, a 13% growth over the 2010 population count. The median age of an Onslow County resident was 26.9, making it one of the youngest counties in North Carolina. Around 33% of these residents aged 25 and above have earned an associate’s degree or higher. Residents had a median income of $53,669 between 2015-2019.

In the Census, 66% of residents identified as white alone. About 16% identified as African American, while 13% identified as Hispanic or Latino. Around 5% identified as two or more races.

Onslow County Education

Onslow County Schools is the 11th largest school district inside North Carolina, and around 27,000 students were enrolled. The district operates 39 educational facilities, including 20 elementary schools, eight middle schools, seven high schools, an alternative learning program, an early childhood development center, and an early college high school. The school district is also building two new elementary schools scheduled to open in fall 2021 and fall 2022.

Fourteen private schools were available for Onslow residents. Top-ranked private schools included fellowship Christian Academy, Jacksonville Christian Academy, and Liberty Christian Academy. A reported 86% of the private schools were religiously affiliated.

For those seeking higher education opportunities, Coastal Carolina Community College in Jacksonville awards associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates. In total, it has 34 associates degrees offered in the arts, science, engineering, fine arts, and general education nursing.

Onslow County Health Care

The Onslow County Health Department and consolidated human services offer low-cost preventive and public health services for residents.

The Onslow Memorial Hospital offers emergency and advanced medical services in a 162-bed facility. It is the only hospital available in Onslow County outside of the Naval Hospital and the Brynn Marr Psychiatric Hospital at Camp Lejeune. This facility includes state-of-the-art diagnostic services, a women’s imaging center, labor and delivery suites, a neonatal intensive care unit, intensive care units, coronary care unit, and rehabilitation services.

Onslow County Things To Do

People have been drawn to Onslow County for decades for its outdoor recreation. The acres of preserved forest and timberlands are home to rare and endangered species plus great hunting opportunities. The waters are rich with maritime diversity and water activities. People can spend hours enjoying water skiing, sailing, windsurfing, deep-sea fishing, hunting, hiking, and cycling.

Onslow County also has five golf courses to choose from, including the course at Camp Lejeune. Active duty, retired military, or civilian Department of Defense ID cardholders can play around at Paradise Pointe Golf Course, designed by world-renowned golf architect George Cobb. For the rest of the public, Bear Trail and Rock Creek are popular golfing destinations. The North Shore Country Club near Sneads Ferry incorporates the natural beauty of the Intracoastal Waterway. 

Residents stay entertained throughout the year with different festivals and events. The Marine Corps Half Marathon is a popular running event where the public can run shoulder to shoulder with the military heroes.

The Swansboro Mullet Festival has been going on for over 50 years. It is one of the oldest festivals in the county, with a street fair, parade, children’s carnival, and live music entertainment. 

In North Topsail Beach, you can drive on the beach off the north end of the island. All you need is a 4×4 vehicle and a parking permit pass to access the area.

Onslow County Local Attractions 

The Lejeune Memorial Gardens near downtown Jacksonville has monuments tucked into a grove of trees and overlooks a large fountain. It commemorates the attack on the Marine Corps barracks in Beirut in 1983, which impacted many of the families and residents living in Onslow.

The Montford Point Marine’s Museum is another local attraction that commemorates the history of the Marines, and in particular, recognizes the first African American Marines who trained during the segregation era during World War II. 

At the Onslow County Museum in Richland, you can see a dugout canoe used by Native Americans over 700 years ago. The museum encapsulates the area’s history from its Native American period up through the Revolutionary War and beyond. It shows how Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base changed the area.

Another attraction is the area’s abundant farms, where agritourism is a driving factor. One example is Mike’s Farm, where you can pick strawberries in the spring, pumpkins in the fall, and take a hayride through a maze of twinkling lights during the holidays.

Families love Zing Zumm Children’s Museum of Jacksonville, an interactive museum where kids can get hands-on with the exhibits.

The Seaview fishing pier is the longest fishing pier on the North Carolina coast. While you can cast for mullet and Spanish mackerel, you can also just buy a pass to walk down to the end of the pier.

The Coastal Plains Raceway is the place for legal drag racing. The asphalt track has stock car racing twice a week and some of the best racing action in eastern North Carolina.

Jumping Run Creek Mud Bog is a place to get dirtied up. Have some fun getting muddy and pulling donuts through the bog.

Riverwalk Park in Jacksonville connects the downtown to the New River waterfront. It is part of a downtown revitalization that includes brick pathways, benches, and a covered pavilion for entertainment. Throughout the spring and fall, Riverwalk Park is the site for festivals and activities, including the Onslow Oktoberfest and the Jacksonville Winterfest, which is a winter Wonderland with sledding, ice skating, and snowball fights.

Onslow County Dining

Residents enjoy excellent local cuisine thanks to Onslow County’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and local farms. Here you will find everything from authentic North Carolina barbecue to fresh-caught seafood at a waterfront restaurant. Residents get a blend of delicious dining and beautiful coastal scenery. You’ll find local delicacies, sushi, Mexican, and other globally inspired cuisines to suit whatever cravings you may have. Here’s a few examples of what you can find and Onslow County:

• Jeff’s Burgers Dogs and Shakes is a Jacksonville resident favorite with American classics and seafood specials
• Liliana’s Colombian Restaurant and Bakery is your go-to place for traditional Colombian cooking done homestyle
• Yana’s Ye Old Restaurant often has a line wrapping around the building as diners wait to enjoy made-to-order fruit fritters and shrimp omelets
• Swansboro Food And Beverage Co has an award-winning clam chowder that goes along with its southern coastal cuisine
• Boro Restaurants and Bar has outdoor patio seating and a waterfront view with live weekly music
• Riverside Steak And Seafood is a casual fine dining experience inside a historic home
• Nate’s Country Buffet is known for its southern specialties like pork ribs and fried chicken
• Riverview Cafe in Sneads Ferry is one of the oldest restaurants in Onslow County

Onslow County Shopping

Onslow County offers residents fun shopping districts to discover unique and locally sourced treasures. You will find a mix of name-brand shops and locally owned businesses in the different towns throughout Onslow.

Spend a day at the Swansboro waterfront to discover vintage and one-of-a-kind antiques. This historic district has whimsical boutiques and buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In Sneads Ferry, enjoy beach days shopping for souvenirs and beach toys.

In Jacksonville, visit the name brands at the Jacksonville Mall. Other name-brand chains can be found on Western Blvd and along Yopp Road. Upscale boutiques are sprinkled throughout the area.

For military gear, Saigon Sam’s Military Surplus is a local landmark in operation for 45 years. 

Living in Onslow County

Whether they came because of the military or because they were attracted to the area’s abundant natural resources, residents have a lot to love about life in Onslow County. Jacksonville provides all the modern amenities that you would expect. Live in a mid-size city robust with amenities, or enjoy small-town living in the other towns around Onslow County. If beachfront living is your dream, try North Topsail Beach. Head inland to purchase a farm in the Richlands region. No matter where you choose to live in Onslow, you have access to a low cost of living and excellent education and health care.