Jacksonville, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Jacksonville, North Carolina had a total population of 71,279, the 14th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $57,697, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Jacksonville Quick Facts
How Jacksonville Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 73,507 | 71,279 | -3.0% |
| Median household income | $54,069 | $57,697 | +6.7% |
| Median home value | $191,700 | $210,100 | +9.6% |
How Jacksonville Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Jacksonville Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Onslow County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piney Green | 14,078 | $72,177 | 10.8% | $227,600 |
| Half Moon | 7,378 | $68,946 | 7.9% | $182,500 |
| Holly Ridge | 4,904 | $104,788 | 0.8% | $360,300 |
| Surf City | 4,396 | $81,433 | 5.5% | $512,300 |
| Swansboro | 3,997 | $114,425 | 14.1% | $378,700 |
| Sneads Ferry | 2,728 | $79,594 | 13.3% | $269,300 |
| Richlands | 2,335 | $65,163 | 11.1% | $248,800 |
| Pumpkin Center | 1,636 | $64,102 | 2.9% | $189,600 |
| North Topsail Beach | 784 | $121,250 | 6.5% | $473,600 |
Cities Similar to Jacksonville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | 59,610 | $56,880 | $199,200 | 29.6% | 16.4% |
| Gastonia | 82,884 | $64,059 | $277,600 | 26.6% | 16.3% |
| Rocky Mount | 54,297 | $55,534 | $165,700 | 22.9% | 19.7% |
| Kannapolis | 57,890 | $73,836 | $276,400 | 29.7% | 12.6% |
| Greenville | 92,857 | $49,748 | $233,500 | 39.1% | 24.6% |
Population Overview
Jacksonville is a mid-sized community located in North Carolina, within Onslow County. The total population is 71,279. It ranks as the 14th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Jacksonville is 23.4 years. This is 40% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Jacksonville is $57,697. This is 20% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.7%. This is 3% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.3%. This is 56% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $210,100. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 38.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 42% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Jacksonville is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 19.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (19.9% vs 11.3%).
Education
26.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Jacksonville, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Jacksonville, North Carolina?
Jacksonville, North Carolina has a population of 71,279 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Jacksonville, NC?
The median household income in Jacksonville is $57,697, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Jacksonville, NC?
The poverty rate in Jacksonville is 12.7%. This means approximately 6,611 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Jacksonville, North Carolina?
Jacksonville's population is 54.9% White, 14.6% Black, 19.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Jacksonville, NC?
The median home value in Jacksonville is $210,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Jacksonville, North Carolina?
26.3% of adults (25+) in Jacksonville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.