County · North Carolina
Onslow County, North Carolina
Onslow County, North Carolina. Onslow County had 217,175 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 6.2% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 10 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs and 4 census-designated) and 46 census tracts. GEOID 37133.
Onslow County is the county of the Jacksonville, NC metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
217,175
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 204,576 · ACS 2020-2024: 207,906
Median household income
$68,148
±$2,456 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$236,400
±$5,122 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,265
±$40 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Onslow County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 204,576 residents in Onslow County. The Census Bureau estimates 217,175 for July 1, 2025, up 6.2% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 207,906 over 762 square miles of land.
| Measure | Onslow County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 207,906 | 10,730,404 | +12,837 |
| Households | 75,265±796 | 4,282,345 | +10,879 |
| Average household size | 2.48±0.03 | 2.44 | −0.24 |
| Housing units | 87,354±88 | 4,895,668 | +8,073 |
Onslow County's population since 2000
From 150,355 in 2000 to 217,175 in 2025: up 44.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Onslow County?
Onslow County holds 10 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 4 census-designated places. The largest is Jacksonville with 72,732 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Jacksonville | 72,723 | $57,697 |
|---|---|---|
| Piney Green | 14,386 | $72,177 |
| Half Moon | 7,543 | $68,946 |
| Holly Ridge | 4,171 | $104,788 |
| Swansboro | 3,744 | $114,425 |
| Sneads Ferry | 2,548 | $79,594 |
| Richlands | 2,287 | $65,163 |
| Pumpkin CenterGEOID 3754160 | 1,855 | $64,102 |
| North Topsail Beach | 1,005 | $121,250 |
| Surf City | 3,867 | $81,433 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Onslow County?
The median resident of Onslow County is 27.7 years old; 24.8% are under 18 and 10.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 64.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 14.0%. 4.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Onslow County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 27.7±0.3 | 39.1 | +1.3 |
| Under 18 years | 24.8%±0.1 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 10.2%±0.1 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 14.0% | 11.3% | +1.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 64.0%±0.5 pts | 60.0% | −2.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 11.5%±0.6 pts | 20.0% | −1.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.8%±0.2 pts | 3.3% | −0.3 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 7.4%±0.6 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.2%±0.4 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 10.4%±0.8 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 21.4%±1.3 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 17.1%±0.9 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.5%±1.0 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.3%±0.7 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 26.0%±1.3 pts | 35.7% | +3.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.1%±0.9 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 9.2%±0.9 pts | 3.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Onslow County earn?
Half of Onslow County's 75,265 households earn less than $68,148 a year (±$2,456), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $61,877 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $6,271 after inflation. 11.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Onslow County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $68,148±$2,456 | $72,388 | +$6,271 |
| Mean household income | $85,766±$2,987 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,305±$1,036 | $41,385 | +$3,260 |
| People below the poverty line | 11.6%±1.1 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.1%±2.1 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 12.1%±1.5 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.8%±1.1 pts | 90.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Onslow County?
Owners occupy 63.7% of Onslow County's occupied homes and renters 36.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $236,400 by its owner (±$5,122). The median renter pays $1,265 a month including utilities, and 40.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Onslow County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $236,400±$5,122 | $288,900 | +$43,304 |
| Median gross rent | $1,265±$40 | $1,228 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.4%±2.9 pts | 39.6% | +5.5 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,531±$42 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 63.7%±1.4 pts | 66.6% | +10.6 pts |
| Housing units | 87,354±88 | 4,895,668 | +8,073 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.3%±0.6 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.9%±1.6 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 65.2%±1.5 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 11.5%±1.2 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 4.0%±0.7 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 4.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Onslow County building?
Builders took permits for 1,372 new housing units across Onslow County in 2025 (1,318 single-family), 6.3 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Onslow County get to work?
65.7% of Onslow County's workers drive alone and 12.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.4%.
| Measure | Onslow County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 70.0%±1.0 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4%±0.8 pts | 4.7% | −3.3 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 65.7%±1.3 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.1%±1.1 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 6.9%±0.8 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.8%±1.0 pts | 16.3% | +8.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.4 min±0.7 | 25.1 min | +1.8 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Onslow County's census tracts?
Onslow County is divided into 46 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $31,875 (Tract 26) to $116,500 (Tract 4.03).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Onslow County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 13th of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 31st of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 21st of 100 |
| Median household income | 26th of 100 |
| Median home value | 44th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 11th of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 74th of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 40th of 100 |
| Median age | 100th of 100 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Onslow County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.