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Jacksonville, NC

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Jacksonville, NC

Jacksonville is a city in Onslow County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 72,723, which makes Jacksonville the 14th-most populous city in North Carolina. Jacksonville is the county seat and most populous community of Onslow County, which is coterminous with the Jacksonville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area. Demographically, Jacksonville is the youngest city in the United States, with an average age of 22.8 years old, which can be attributed to the large military presence. The low age may also be in part due to the population drastically increasing over the past 80 years, from 783 in the 1930 census to 72,723 in the 2020 census.

It is the home of the United States Marine Corps Camp Lejeune and New River Air Station. Jacksonville is located adjacent to North Carolina's Crystal Coast area.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 56.42 square miles (146.1 km²), of which 48.80 square miles (126.4 km²) is land and 7.62 square miles (19.7 km²) (13.51%) is water. It is about 60 minutes from Wilmington and 15 minutes from the Intracoastal Waterway.

After the end of the Tuscarora wars in 1713, the forced removal of Native American tribes was followed by the 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 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 acres (400 km²) 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 establish 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.

Health and wellness are integral aspects of life in Jacksonville. With military installations in the city, comprehensive healthcare services are provided to the community. The Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune plays a crucial role in ensuring the well-being of military personnel and their families. Additionally, Onslow Memorial Hospital serves as a vital healthcare institution in the region, providing comprehensive medical services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Jacksonville Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include  Courts Plus Fitness Center, Iron Forged Fitness, and EXSS Fit. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Jacksonville, such as the Big Branch Blue Trail and Onslow Pines Park Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and the enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Jacksonville, NC are Lejeune Memorial Gardens, Lynnwood Park Zoo, and Zing Zumm Children's Museum.

Population: 72,879 (2023). ZIP codes: 28540, 28541, 28546. Area code: 910. Elevation: 0 ft (0 m). Area: 56.42 sq mi (146.14 km²).

FAQs

What is special about Jacksonville, NC?

Located on the New River and within a half-hour's drive to the Atlantic Ocean, the city of Jacksonville is perfectly positioned for scenic views and fun on the water. Equally important, Jacksonville is also home to military heroes and charming outdoor pathways that showcase the city's history and military heritage. When Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune was built in 1941, the training facility jumpstarted economic growth in Onslow County, transforming Jacksonville into a busy county seat and economic center with shopping and dining opportunities.

What is the violent crime rate in Jacksonville, NC?

The crime rate in Jacksonville is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 25 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Jacksonville is 1 in 41. Based on FBI crime data, Jacksonville is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to North Carolina, Jacksonville has a crime rate that is higher than 74% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Is Jacksonville, NC a good place to live?

Living in Jacksonville offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. Many families and young professionals live in Jacksonville and residents tend to have moderate political views. The public schools in Jacksonville are above average.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Jacksonville

Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune 

Onslow Memorial Hospital 

Jacksonville Parks and Recreation Department 

Courts Plus Fitness Center

Iron Forged Fitness 

EXSS Fit

Big Branch Blue Trail 

Onslow Pines Park Trail

Lejeune Memorial Gardens

Lynnwood Park Zoo

Zing Zumm Children's Museum

Only in Onslow

Neighborhoodscout

Niche

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