Jacksonville, North Carolina

Jacksonville
Clockwise from top left: waterfront along New River, LP Willingham Riverfront Park, Court Street, Onslow County Courthouse
Nicknames: 
J-Ville, J-Vegas, Marine Town
Motto: 
"A Caring Community"
Location within North Carolina
Interactive map of Jacksonville
Jacksonville
Coordinates: 34°45′35″N 77°24′35″W / 34.75972°N 77.40972°W / 34.75972; -77.40972
CountryUnited States
StateNorth Carolina
CountyOnslow
Founded1757
Incorporated1842
Named ForAndrew Jackson
Government
 • MayorSammy Phillips
Area
 • Total
56.42 sq mi (146.14 km2)
 • Land48.80 sq mi (126.40 km2)
 • Water7.62 sq mi (19.74 km2)  13.51%
Elevation
0 ft (0 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
72,723
 • Estimate 
(2023)
72,879
 • Density1,490.1/sq mi (575.35/km2)
 • Urban
111,224 (US: 302nd)
 • Urban density1,470/sq mi (567.6/km2)
 • Metro
213,676 (US: 219th)
Time zoneUTC−05:00 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−04:00 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
28540, 28541, 28546
Area codes910, 472
FIPS code37-34200
GNIS feature ID2404784
Websitejacksonvillenc.gov

Jacksonville is the county seat of and the most populous community in Onslow County, North Carolina, which is coterminous with the Jacksonville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2020 census, the population was 72,723, which makes Jacksonville the 14th-most populous city in North Carolina. 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.