Why Companies Choose Onslow County for Growth
A growing civilian workforce, competitive incentives, a strong tourism economy, and quality-of-life advantages that help companies attract talent and raise average incomes.
A Diversified Economy, Anchored by Partnership.
Onslow County is open for business, a strategic coastal location where companies thrive, and people love to live.
Positioned between deep-water ports with I-40 running through our center, we offer a powerful mix of logistics advantages, diversified industry clusters, competitive costs, and a ready workforce. Anchored by the strength of Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River, we also deliver exceptional coastal living: beautiful beaches, the New River, affordable housing, strong schools, and a welcoming community that helps businesses recruit and retain talent.
We don't just recruit companies. We strive to offer a quality of life that makes people want to build their careers, their families, and their futures right here.
This is where opportunity, partnership, and quality of life come together on the Carolina Coast.
Growing Civilian Workforce
A 73,271-person labor force, plus 5,000+ service members and spouses transitioning to civilian careers each year — bringing leadership, technical skills, and security clearances to advanced industries.
Competitive Incentives for Higher-Wage Jobs
JDIG, One NC Fund, and local performance-based packages reward net-new jobs at or above the county wage standard — aligning support with the higher-wage employers we recruit.
Expanding Tourism Economy
Beaches, the New River, and coastal towns anchor a year-round visitor economy — fueling hospitality investment, retail growth, and diversified small-business revenue.
Quality of Life That Attracts Talent
Affordable housing, strong schools, beaches, parks, and a year-round calendar of community events help companies recruit and keep the professional talent they need to grow.
Strategic Location & Infrastructure
I-40, US Highway 17, the Port of Morehead City, and regional rail deliver fast, low-cost distribution across the entire East Coast — from a single coastal address.
Pro-Business Environment for Diversification
Available sites, streamlined permitting, and target-industry clusters in advanced manufacturing, marine trades, aviation/UAS, healthcare, and logistics — built to grow beyond defense.
Room to grow up — and grow a career.
Boardwalks, hands-on science, and community programs across Jacksonville and Onslow County give families reasons to stay and employers an easier recruiting story.
A county with a plan for the next 50,000 residents.
The NC State Demographer projects Onslow County will add about 50,000 residents by 2040 and 20,000+ more in the decade after. Horizon 2040 — the County's comprehensive and Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) plan, developed with the Town of Richlands — gives businesses clear, unified land-use policy before that growth arrives, anchored by a Future Land Use Map.
"Onslow County will grow as a balanced community, respecting its natural resources, coastal heritage, rural culture, positive military influence, and diversified economy to create a community of choice in Coastal North Carolina."Read the Horizon 2040 executive summary (opens in new tab)View the Horizon 2040 maps, including the Future Land Use Map (opens in new tab)
Plan goals include land use compatibility, infrastructure carrying capacity, natural hazard areas, water quality, quality of life, and high-quality development — shaped with Camp Lejeune, ONWASA, NCDOT, and 400+ resident survey responses.
Source: Onslow County Horizon 2040 Executive Summary; US Census; NC State Demographer.
Future Land Use Map
Purple areas mark land planned for Economic Development. Click any map to open it full size.
Source: Onslow County Horizon 2040 Comprehensive Plan; maps by Benchmark (2023).
The market at a glance.
A snapshot of the workforce, wages, and economic base companies use to evaluate Onslow County.
