Onslow County, North Carolina

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

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 150,355 people, 48,122 households, and 36,572 families residing in the county. The population density was 196 people per square mile (76/km²). There were 55,726 housing units at an average density of 73 per square mile (28/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 72.06% White, 18.48% Black or African American, 0.74% Native American, 1.68% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 3.62% from other races, and 3.22% from two or more races. 7.25% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 48,122 households out of which 42.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.00% were married couples living together, 11.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.00% were non-families. 18.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the county, the population was spread out with 26.20% under the age of 18, 23.80% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 14.40% from 45 to 64, and 6.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females there were 123.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 131.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,756, and the median income for a family was $36,692. Males had a median income of $22,061 versus $20,094 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,853. About 10.80% of families and 12.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.70% of those under age 18 and 14.70% of those age 65 or over.

Law and government

The structure of local government in Onslow County was changed in 2016 to have seven commissioners by 2018 Board of Commissioners, all elected at-large for four-year terms. In contrast to electing members from districts, this structure means that candidates are elected by the majority population in the county, which gives a more accurate view of the entire electorate. On November 8, 2016, citizens voted in favor to alter the number of commissioners from five commissioners with concurrent terms to seven with staggered terms by electing two county commissioner candidates in the general election of 2018 to four-year terms, and electing four commissioners who receive the highest number of votes in the general election of 2020 to four-year terms and the candidate who receives the fifth highest number of votes in the general election of 2020 to a two-year term. Thereafter all county commissioners would be elected to serve four-year terms. The Board establishes policies and ordinances implemented by the County Manager and his staff. Commissioners are, Jack Bright (Chair), Royce Bennett (Vice-Chair), Paul Buchanan, Robin Knapp, and Mark Price.

The main law enforcement agency for Onslow County is the County Sheriff's Department. The elected sheriff is Hans Miller.

Onslow County is a member of the regional Eastern Carolina Council of Governments.

Airport

The Albert J. Ellis Airport is located near Richlands and is served by two commercial airlines.

City

Towns

Census-designated places

Townships