RANK #423 / 996 · POP 203,686 · NC
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.0%
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.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| 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 has a Boom Town Index score of 58/100, ranking #423 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.3% and a median household income of $59,976, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Onslow County is $196,800 with median rent at $1,132/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3048, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.0% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.3%. Home values changed +3.1% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.94% of Onslow County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.