where is jacksonville north carolina

Jacksonville, North Carolina, is a city in Onslow County, located in the southeastern part of the state along the New River. It's about 50 miles northeast of Wilmington and roughly 15 miles from the Atlantic coast, placing it in the coastal plain region near the Inner Banks.

Precise Location

Jacksonville sits at the head of the New River estuary, with GPS coordinates approximately 34.75°N, 77.43°W. This positions it inland from beaches like Emerald Isle, about 20 miles southwest, making it a gateway to the Southern Outer Banks. Originally settled around 1757 as Wantland’s Ferry, it became the Onslow County seat and was renamed Jacksonville in 1842 to honor President Andrew Jackson.

Key Facts and Role

• County seat of Onslow County, with a 2020 population of about 72,723, ranking it as North Carolina's 14th-largest city.

• Home to Camp Lejeune , a massive U.S. Marine Corps base, and Marine Corps Air Station New River, which drives the local economy and gives the city one of the youngest median ages in the U.S. (around 22.8 years).

• Features a small port, three colleges, and rapid growth as one of America's faster-expanding towns.

The city's military ties shape its vibe—think bustling base traffic, affordable housing (average property taxes ~$1,000/year), and community support networks.

Recent Buzz and Local Views

Online chatter, like a May 2025 Reddit thread in r/NorthCarolina, highlights mixed feelings: visitors seek date spots (e.g., Riverview eatery) amid jokes about leaving town or base life stereotypes. No major breaking news as of early 2026, but its coastal spot keeps it relevant for military updates and beach tourism.

Quick Travel Notes

Aspect| Details
---|---
Distance from Major Cities| 125 miles south of Raleigh; 50 miles NE of Wilmington 1
Nearby Attractions| Beaches (Emerald Isle), New River for kayaking, base- related museums 8
Economy Driver| 70%+ workforce tied to Marines 3

TL;DR: Jacksonville, NC, thrives as a military hub in SE North Carolina's coastal area, blending history, bases, and beach access.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.