Onslow County, North Carolina

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Onslow County, North Carolina
Jacksonville NC 1904 Courthouse.jpg
The 1904 Onslow County Courthouse
Seal of Onslow County, North Carolina
Seal
Map of North Carolina highlighting Onslow County
Location in the U.S. state of North Carolina
Map of the United States highlighting North Carolina
North Carolina's location in the U.S.
Founded 1739
Named for Arthur Onslow
Seat Jacksonville
Largest city Jacksonville
Area
 • Total 906 sq mi (2,347 km2)
 • Land 763 sq mi (1,976 km2)
 • Water 143 sq mi (370 km2), 16%
Population
 • (2010) 177,772
 • Density 233/sq mi (90/km²)
Congressional district 3rd
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.onslowcountync.gov

Onslow County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 177,772.[1] Its county seat is Jacksonville.[2] The county was created in 1734 as Onslow Precinct and gained county status in 1739.[3]

Onslow County comprises the Jacksonville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area. The southern border is the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.

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 the Honorable Arthur Onslow, 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.

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.[4]

Adjacent counties

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%
Est. 2014 187,589 [5] 5.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2013[1]

As of the census[10] 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 established in the late 19th century. It consists of a five-member 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, reducing representation of any minority points of view. The Board establishes policies and ordinances implemented by the County Manager and his staff. Commissioners are, Barbara M. Ikner (Chair), Paul Buchanan (Vice-Chair), Jack Bright, Million Heir-Williams, and W.C. Jarman.

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.

Transportation

Major highways

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Airport

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

Communities

Map of Onslow County, North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels

City

Towns

Census-designated places

Townships

  • Jacksonville
  • Richlands
  • Sneads Ferry
  • Southwest
  • Swansboro
  • White Oak

See also

References

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External links

 Duplin County Jones County
Carteret County
  Onslow County, North Carolina  
Pender County Atlantic Ocean

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