Onslow County, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Onslow County
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The 1904 Onslow County Courthouse
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Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
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North Carolina's location within the U.S. |
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Country | United States | |
State | North Carolina | |
Founded | 1739 | |
Named for | Arthur Onslow | |
Seat | Jacksonville | |
Largest city | Jacksonville | |
Area | ||
• Total | 906 sq mi (2,350 km2) | |
• Land | 763 sq mi (1,980 km2) | |
• Water | 143 sq mi (370 km2) 16%% | |
Population | ||
• Estimate
(2021)
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206,160 | |
• Density | 270.2/sq mi (104.3/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 is the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.
Contents
History
European and 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 British 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, rolling terrain covers 767 square miles (1,990 km2) and is located in the southeastern coastal plain of North Carolina, approximately 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 150,000 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 approximately 156,000 acres (630 km2); more than 43,000 marines and sailors are stationed there. The two "nations" of PLCC and Ridgeweia are also located within Holly ridge and Sneads Ferry.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 906 square miles (2,350 km2), of which 763 square miles (1,980 km2) is land and 143 square miles (370 km2) (16%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Jones County - north
- Carteret County - east
- Pender County - southwest
- Duplin County - northwest
Demographics
Historical population | |||
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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% | |
2021 (est.) | 206,160 | 16.0% | |
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2019 |
2020 census
Race | Number | Percentage |
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White (non-Hispanic) | 129,499 | 63.3% |
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 26,939 | 13.17% |
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 | 13.51% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 204,576 people, 63,604 households, and 46,202 families residing in the county.
Transportation
Major highways
- US 17
- US 258
- NC 24
- NC 50
- NC 53
- NC 111
- NC 172
- NC 210
Airport
The Albert J. Ellis Airport is located near Richlands and is served by two commercial airlines.
Communities
City
- Jacksonville (county seat)
Towns
Census-designated places
Townships
- Jacksonville
- Richlands
- Sneads Ferry
- Southwest
- Swansboro
- White Oak
Education
Elementary schools
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Middle schools
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High schools
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See also
In Spanish: Condado de Onslow para niños