Onslow County, North Carolina Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Onslow County is located in North Carolina with a total population of 208,537. It is the 13th most populous county out of 100 in North Carolina. The county encompasses 2 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Onslow County is 27.1 years. This is 31% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Onslow County is $64,568. This is 8% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 18% lower. The poverty rate stands at 11.7%. This is 11% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 5.8%. This is 19% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $219,500. Housing costs are 15% lower than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 61.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Onslow County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.8%.

Education

26.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 25% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.2%.