Jacksonville, North Carolina

History

The end of the Tuscarora wars in 1713 and the forced removal of Native American tribes was followed by permanent settlement of the regions between New Bern and Wilmington. The New River became a major production center for naval stores like turpentine. The downtown waterfront park is built on the site original site of Wantland's Ferry.

In 1752, a devastating hurricane destroyed the county seat of Johnston, and Wantlands Ferry, located further up the New River, at the present site of Jacksonville, was chosen as the site of the new county courthouse. The area was later known as Onslow Courthouse. In 1842, the town was incorporated and renamed Jacksonville in honor of former U.S. President Andrew Jackson. The town was briefly captured and occupied in November 1862 by a raiding party led by U.S. Navy Lt. William B. Cushing.

Jacksonville and Onslow County continued to rely on naval stores, lumber, and tobacco crops for industry. In 1939, Colonel George W. Gillette of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers surveyed and mapped the area from Fort Monroe, Virginia to Fort Sumter, South Carolina which included the Onslow County coastline and the New River. The map is believed to have fostered the interest of the War and Navy Departments in establishing an amphibious training base in the area. Congressman Graham Arthur Barden of New Bern lobbied Congress to appropriate funds for the purchase of about 100,000 acre along the eastern bank of the New River. The establishment in 1941 of Marine Barracks, New River, later renamed Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base, led to the relocation of 700 families. While the landowners were compensated, many of the families displaced were sharecroppers who did not own the land on which their houses were built, and did not receive compensation for their structures. Some African American families were able to purchase property from Raymond Kellum and established the community of Kellumtown. Other displaced families established communities in Georgetown, Pickettown, Bell Fork, and Sandy Run. The latter communities have since been absorbed by Jacksonville. Colonel Gillette had planned to retire near the small village of Marine, ironically named after a local family whose surname was Marine, but lost his land to the acquisition, as well.

Construction of Camp Lejeune caused a population explosion in the small town of about 800 inhabitants, as new workers migrated to the area. Growth continued to be fueled by both young Marine families and military retirees. Today, Jacksonville's primary industry is retail sales and services. The primary migration draw continues to be the U.S. Marine Corps.

The Bank of Onslow and Jacksonville Masonic Temple, Mill Avenue Historic District, and Pelletier House and Wantland Spring are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 2016, Jacksonville became the first jurisdiction to adopt a paid holiday honoring the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which made slavery in the United States and its territories illegal. The resolution of adoption mentions "the prevention of the modern slavery" which it describes as "human trafficking", including child labor and military service.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 56.42 sqmi, of which 48.80 sqmi is land and 7.62 sqmi (13.51%) is water. It is about 60 minutes from Wilmington and 15 minutes from the Intracoastal Waterway.

Climate

| Jan record high F = 81 | Feb record high F = 94 | Mar record high F = 92 | Apr record high F = 95 | May record high F = 99 | Jun record high F = 101 | Jul record high F = 102 | Aug record high F = 101 | Sep record high F = 97 | Oct record high F = 95 | Nov record high F = 89 | Dec record high F = 82 | year record high F = 102

| Jan avg record high F = 74.8 | Feb avg record high F = 77.4 | Mar avg record high F = 82.6 | Apr avg record high F = 86.6 | May avg record high F = 91.6 | Jun avg record high F = 95.8 | Jul avg record high F = 96.3 | Aug avg record high F = 95.2 | Sep avg record high F = 91.6 | Oct avg record high F = 86.3 | Nov avg record high F = 81.0 | Dec avg record high F = 75.9 | year avg record high F = 97.5

| Jan avg record low F = 18.3 | Feb avg record low F = 21.8 | Mar avg record low F = 26.5 | Apr avg record low F = 34.5 | May avg record low F = 46.6 | Jun avg record low F = 57.0 | Jul avg record low F = 64.3 | Aug avg record low F = 62.9 | Sep avg record low F = 54.6 | Oct avg record low F = 37.8 | Nov avg record low F = 27.8 | Dec avg record low F = 23.8 | year avg record low F = 16.2

| Jan record low F = 0 | Feb record low F = 9 | Mar record low F = 12 | Apr record low F = 25 | May record low F = 33 | Jun record low F = 45 | Jul record low F = 54 | Aug record low F = 54 | Sep record low F = 44 | Oct record low F = 24 | Nov record low F = 19 | Dec record low F = -5 | year record low F = -5 | access-date = May 14, 2021}} | access-date = May 14, 2021}}

Demographics

2020

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, 72,723 people, 21,986 households, and 15,491 families resided in the city.

2000 census

At the 2000 census, there were 66,715 people, 17,175 households, and 13,533 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,500.0 PD/sqmi. The 18,312 housing units averaged 411.7 per square mile (159.0/km). The racial composition of the city was 63.94% White, 23.96% African American, 2.07% Asian, 0.75% Native American, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 5.42% some other race, and 3.67% two or more races.

Of the 17,175 households, 49.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.2% were not families. About 16.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.8

In the city, the population was distributed as 24.3% under 18, 36.3% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 8.8% from 45 to 64, and 4.8% who were 65 or older. The median age was 22 years. Jacksonville has been named the youngest city in the nation (lowest median age) on various lists. For every 100 females, there were 156.2 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 178.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,544, and for a family was $33,763. Males had a median income of $17,121 versus $19,931 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,237. About 12.5% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.0% of those under age 18 and 17.7% of those age 65 or over.

Updated Census Information

In the 2020 census data, there were 72,723 people reported in Jacksonville NC, which does not include undercounting values. People who are not accounted for are those who didn't participate in the census due to various factors. According to the 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-Year estimates, the total housing units were 25,860, 24,09 total households, the median household income was $60,517, and the total employment rate was 30.8%. [] Comparing the 2025 current data and 2020 census there has been a slight decrease in total population. In 2020 the recorded population was 73,270, 2025 current recorded population is 70,232. This leaves a declining rate of 4.15%. From 2020 to 2025, Jacksonville had an annually declining rate of 0.86%. [] The effect of migration movement has affected these declining rates. The loss in population includes the movement of military units’ emigration to another location from time to time and there is a limited supply of developable land, which leads to less homes being built. []

As of 2025, the total population is 70,232 people, the area size is 48.802 mi2, the average household income is $70,826 and the poverty rate is 13.53%  []. Jacksonville NC has a birth rate 18.2 which is the 2nd highest rate in United States as of 2023. The highest birth rate in United States was Hinesville, GA. []

Economy

Top employers

According to the city's 2012 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:

Current state of the economy

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, from March 2025 to August 2025, there have been slight changes in civilian labor force, employment, unemployment, and unemployment rate values. July 2025, suffer worse declining values compared to the other months mentioned, expected for the unemployment rate, which in that case would be August 2025. Over the course of the 6 months, the general pattern is the unemployment rate has increased over time while people that are employed have decreased over time. [7] These factors include a decrease in jobs available and other resources like lack of education, and other resources.

Law and government

The mayor of Jacksonville is Sammy Phillips. The city manager is Joshua W Ray, and the deputy city manager is Ron Massey. The postmaster of Jacksonville is Jamie Thompson.

City Council

The Jacksonville City Council members (as of 2024) are:

• Brian Jackson – Ward 1
• Jerry Bitner – Ward 2 (mayor pro-tem)
• Logan Sosa – Ward 3
• Dr Angelia Washington – Ward 4
• Cindy Edwards – At-large
• Robert Warden – At-large

Education

Public schools

Onslow County Schools serves the city, except for areas on U.S. military bases, including Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River; the military areas are served by Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools.

Alternative school

• Onslow County Learning Center

Elementary schools

• Bell Fork Elementary School
• Blue Creek Elementary School
• Carolina Forest Elementary School
• Clyde Erwin Elementary School
• Hunters Creek Elementary School
• Jacksonville Commons Elementary School
• MeadowView Elementary School
• Morton Elementary School
• Northwoods Elementary School
• Parkwood Elementary School
• Silverdale Elementary School
• Southwest Elementary School
• Stateside Elementary School
• Summersill Elementary School
• Thompson Elementary School
• Dixon Elementary School

Middle schools

• Dixon Middle School
• Hunters Creek Middle School
• Jacksonville Commons Middle School
• Northwoods Park Middle School
• New Bridge Middle School
• Southwest Middle School

High schools

• Dixon High School
• Jacksonville High School
• Northside High School
• Richlands High School
• Southwest High School
• White Oak High School
• Swansboro High School

MCAS New River is zoned to Delalio Elementary School in MCAS New River and Brewster Middle School and Lejeune High School in Camp Lejeune.

Private schools

• Fellowship Christian Academy
• Grace Baptist School
• Infant Of Prague Catholic School
• Jacksonville Christian Academy
• Living Water Christian School
• Montessori Children's School
• St. Anne's Day School
• Shiloh Institute of Learning
• One World Montessori School

Public magnet schools

• Clyde Erwin Elementary School (year round school)
• New Bridge Middle School
• Northwoods Elementary School (year round school)
• Onslow Virtual Secondary School

Higher education

• Coastal Carolina Community College
• Miller-Motte Technical College - Jacksonville branch
• University of Mount Olive - Jacksonville branch

Charter school

• ZECA School of Arts and Technology

Transportation

In 2009, the Jacksonville metropolitan statistical area ranked as the ninth-highest in the United States for ratio of commuters who walked to work (8.1%).

The city's commercial air services are filled by Albert J. Ellis Airport in nearby Richlands.

Notable people

• Bali Baby, rapper (born in Jacksonville)
• David Charles Abell, conductor (born in Jacksonville)
• Ryan Adams, singer-songwriter, who frequently makes reference to Jacksonville in his songs
• Jones Angell, play-by-play announcer for the North Carolina Tar Heels
• Troy Barnett, former NFL defensive lineman
• Art Bell, talk radio host
• David Braxton, former NFL player
• Levi Brown, former NFL offensive tackle
• Joe Cannon, former MLB outfielder
• Burke Day, Georgia state legislator and businessman
• Edward B. Dudley, governor, congressman
• Dave Dunaway, former NFL player
• Jacob Evans, NBA player
• Chad Fonville, former MLB player for the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, and Boston Red Sox
• Mike Frier, former NFL player for the Cincinnati Bengals and Seattle Seahawks
• David Green, former NFL and CFL player
• Sara Hickman, singer
• Marcus Jones, former NFL player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Christina Koch, engineer and NASA astronaut
• Qasim Mitchell, former NFL player
• Quincy Monk, former NFL player
• Donte Paige-Moss, former AFL player
• Michael R. Nelson, former mayor of Carrboro and first openly gay mayor in North Carolina
• Dian Parkinson, television personality and model
• Danielle Peck, singer
• Andre Purvis, former NFL player for the Cincinnati Bengals
• A.J. Styles, professional wrestler
• Tyrone Willingham, former head football coach at University of Washington and the University of Notre Dame

References

References

1. (March 14, 2024). "Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Population Totals: 2020-2023". [[United States Census Bureau]], Population Division.
2. United States Census Bureau. (December 29, 2022). "2020 Census Qualifying Urban Areas and Final Criteria Clarifications".
3. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
4. {{GNIS. 2404784
5. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau.
6. "Best Places to Live 2010 - Top 25: Youngest - from MONEY Magazine".
7. "History of Jacksonville {{!}} Jacksonville, NC - Official Website".
8. Mercantini, Jonathan. (2002). "The Great Carolina Hurricane of 1752". The South Carolina Historical Magazine.
9. "New River, Battle of".
10. "History".
11. "Camp Lejeune".
12. "Camp Lejeune, NC {{!}} History".
13. "Jacksonville, North Carolina Employment".
14. {{NRISref
15. Weston, Annette. (2019-12-05). "Jacksonville may be first U.S. city to make anniversary of 13th Amendment a city holiday".
16. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov.
17. "QuickFacts: Jacksonville city, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau.
18. "Explore Census Data".
19. "Explore Census Data".
20. (2025-12-05). "Jacksonville, North Carolina Population 2025".
21. (2023-11-16). "The Dive: Why Is Jacksonville Shrinking?".
22. "Metro areas with the highest birth rate U.S. 2023".
23. [https://click2gov.ci.jacksonville.nc.us/ftp/cafr/2012FINALCAFR.pdf City of Jacksonville CAFR] {{webarchive. link. (April 20, 2013)
24. "Mayor and Council".
25. "Core Management Team".
26. Coachman, Monica. (December 17, 2014). "Post Office Open Last Sunday Before Christmas".
27. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Onslow County, NC". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
28. "Camp Lejeune Community Schools Attendance Areas". [[Department of Defense Education Activity]].
29. (September 2011). "Commuting in the United States: 2009".
30. [https://archive.today/20200212053452/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_event=&geo_id=16000US3734200&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US37%7C16000US3734200&_street=&_county=jacksonville&_cityTown=jacksonville&_state=04000US37&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=population_0&ds_name=ACS_2008_3YR_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null:null&_keyword=&_industry= Jacksonville city, North Carolina]
31. "David Braxton".
32. "Dave Dunaway".
33. "Jacob Evans".
34. "Chad Fonville".
35. (October 11, 2019). "Jacksonville astronaut Christina Koch to conduct additional spacewalks".
36. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PurvAn20.htm. Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 24, 2018.