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Onslow County, North Carolina facts for kids

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Onslow County
U.S. county
Onslow County Courthouse
Onslow County Courthouse
Flag of Onslow County
Flag
 Official seal of Onslow County
Seal
Official logo of Onslow County
Logo
Map of North Carolina highlighting Onslow County
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
Map of the United States highlighting North Carolina
North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  North Carolina
Founded 1734
Named for Arthur Onslow
Seat Jacksonville
Largest community Jacksonville
Area
 • Total 905.20 sq mi (2,344.5 km2)
 • Land 762.08 sq mi (1,973.8 km2)
 • Water 143.12 sq mi (370.7 km2)  15.81%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 204,576
 • Estimate 
(2023)
 213,676
 • Density 268.44/sq mi (103.65/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 3rd

Onslow County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 204,576. Its county seat is Jacksonville. The county was created in 1734 as Onslow Precinct and gained county status in 1739. Onslow County comprises the Jacksonville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area. The southern border of the county is the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.

History

European, mainly English, settlers arrived here in 1713 in what was originally part of the colonial precincts of Carteret and New Hanover. Onslow County was formed in 1734 and was named for Arthur Onslow, the longest serving speaker of the House of Commons. After a lethal 1752 hurricane, the county courthouse was relocated from Town Point to Wantland's Ferry; this settlement was eventually incorporated in 1842 and named Jacksonville after President Andrew Jackson. Through much of the first half of the 20th century, the county was largely rural, with an economy based on agrarian and maritime communities.

During World War II, Onslow County was dramatically changed in the early 1940s with the establishment of the United States Army Camp Davis near Holly Ridge (now defunct), and the creation of Camp Lejeune in 1941. This increased county population and generated related growth in housing and businesses.

Onslow County's flat, gently rolling terrain covers 767 square miles (1,990 km2) and is located in the southeastern coastal plain of North Carolina, about 120 miles (190 km) east of Raleigh and 50 miles (80 km) north of Wilmington. The city of Jacksonville is the county seat, and the areas surrounding the city constitute the major population centers and growth areas in the county. The county is home to more than 200,000 people and includes the incorporated towns of Holly Ridge, Richlands, Swansboro, North Topsail Beach, part of Surf City and unincorporated Sneads Ferry. The U.S. Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, comprises roughly 156,000 acres (630 km2); more than 43,000 marines and sailors are stationed there.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 905.20 square miles (2,344.5 km2), of which 762.08 square miles (1,973.8 km2) are land and 143.12 square miles (370.7 km2) (15.81%) are covered by water. It is bordered by Jones County, Carteret County, Pender County, and Duplin County.

Wildlife

The New River and its vicinity is sometimes inhabited by bald eagles, dolphins, and cownose rays.

State and local protected areas

Major water bodies

Major highways

  • US 17

  • US 17 Bus.
  • US 258
  • NC 24

  • NC 24 Bus.
  • NC 50
  • NC 53
  • NC 111
  • NC 172
  • NC 210

Major infrastructure

  • Albert J. Ellis Airport, located in Richlands and is served by two commercial airlines.
  • Amtrak Thruway (Jacksonville)
  • Marine Corps Air Station New River, military base in Jacksonville
  • Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, military training facility in Jacksonville

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1790 5,387 —
1800 5,623 4.4%
1810 6,669 18.6%
1820 7,016 5.2%
1830 7,814 11.4%
1840 7,527 −3.7%
1850 8,283 10.0%
1860 8,856 6.9%
1870 7,569 −14.5%
1880 9,829 29.9%
1890 10,303 4.8%
1900 11,940 15.9%
1910 14,125 18.3%
1920 14,703 4.1%
1930 15,289 4.0%
1940 17,939 17.3%
1950 42,047 134.4%
1960 82,706 96.7%
1970 103,126 24.7%
1980 112,784 9.4%
1990 149,838 32.9%
2000 150,355 0.3%
2010 177,772 18.2%
2020 204,576 15.1%
2023 (est.) 213,676 20.2%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010 2020

2020 census

Onslow County racial composition
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 129,499 65.7%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 26,939 15.8%
Native American 1,019 0.5%
Asian 4,508 2.2%
Pacific Islander 777 0.38%
Other/Mixed 14,193 6.94%
Hispanic or Latino 27,641 12.9%

As of the 2020 census, there were 204,576 people, 63,604 households, and 46,202 families residing in the county.

Education

Onslow County Schools serves the county, except for Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River, which are served by Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools.

Communities

Map of Onslow County North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels
Map of Onslow County with municipal and township labels

Incorporated communities

Unincorporated communities

Census-designated places

Townships

  • Camp Lejeune UT
  • Hofmann Forest UT
  • Jacksonville
  • Richlands
  • Stump Sound
  • Swansboro
  • White Oak

Camp Lejeune and Hofmann Forest are classified as unorganized territories instead of townships.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Onslow para niños

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