Jacksonville Area
Welcome to Jacksonville, North Carolina, the commercial hub of Onslow County and the home of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Air Station New River. Onslow County consists of 30 miles of sandy beaches with quaint maritime towns and villages. Once a quiet farming community, Jacksonville has grown into an exciting hub for business, tourism, retail, medical, banking and cultural activities.
Early history for Jacksonville began with the establishment of a court house in 1755. The town was later incorporated in 1842 and was named after President Andrew Jackson. Agriculture and products that could be shipped along the New River were the foundations of the economy during this time. In 1941, construction began on a Marine Corps Training Center, later named Camp Lejeune after Lt. General John A. Lejeune. Today, the base covers over 150,000 acres and has become a stable economic resource for Onslow County. Both Camp Lejeune and New River Air Station are home to the largest Marine force in the world.
The city of Jacksonville’s continues to grow. Since 2000, population has increased by more than 11%, making the total about 75,000 residents. About half the population lives aboard Camp Lejeune and the New River Air Station.
