CountyScore

Onslow County

North Carolina · NC

#90 in North Carolina
63.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Onslow County, North Carolina

Onslow well above national average for livability

Onslow County's composite score of 68.8 beats the national median of 50.0 by 38 percentage points, marking it as a genuinely livable county by national standards. Low taxes (0.652% effective rate) and reasonable housing costs ($219,500 median home value) drive this strong performance.

In the middle ranks of North Carolina

At 68.8, Onslow falls slightly below the state average of 72.7, placing it squarely in North Carolina's middle tier among 100 counties. The county balances low tax burden with moderate housing affordability but lags in income growth.

Taxes and affordability are clear wins

Onslow's tax score of 83.9 and cost score of 68.2 make it one of the more fiscally friendly counties, with rents at $1,198/month and an effective tax rate below 0.65%. This combination appeals to military families, young professionals, and anyone seeking military-adjacent communities with low-cost living.

Incomes lag behind comparable areas

The income score of 25.5 reflects median household earnings of just $64,568, the second-lowest among these eight counties. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality means we can't assess whether quality of life matches the strong fiscal profile.

Perfect for military families and value-seekers

Onslow's proximity to Camp Lejeune and strong tax/cost profile make it ideal for military-connected families, construction workers, and budget-focused households. If stable employment and low living costs matter more than high wages, Onslow delivers.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax83.9Cost68.2SafetyComing SoonHealth69.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.5Risk5WaterComing Soon
🏛83.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠68.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Onslow County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Fayette County
Georgia
63.6
Median income: $108,986
Maui County
Hawaii
63.6
Median income: $95,076
Macoupin County
Illinois
63.6
Median income: $68,518
East Baton Rouge Parish
Louisiana
63.6
Median income: $63,075
Kent County
Michigan
63.6
Median income: $80,390

Deep Dives

Onslow County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Onslow County

via TaxByCounty

Onslow slightly below national average

Onslow County's effective tax rate of 0.652% sits marginally below the national median of 0.957%, landing it near the middle of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $1,431 is roughly half the national median of $2,690, reflecting more modest home values of $219,500.

Moderate North Carolina tax burden

Onslow's 0.652% effective rate is slightly below North Carolina's state average of 0.701%, positioning it as a moderate-tax county within the state. This balance keeps costs reasonable relative to property values.

Middle ground among coastal peers

Onslow's 0.652% rate sits between New Hanover (0.587%) and Pender County (0.696%), making it a reasonable option in the coastal region. The county offers competitive property taxes compared to nearby alternatives.

About $1,431 on median home

On Onslow's median home value of $219,500, the 0.652% rate yields roughly $1,431 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay around $1,451, while those without pay approximately $1,358.

Review your assessment for accuracy

Even moderate-tax counties can have assessment errors—homes may be overvalued relative to current market conditions. An assessment appeal could identify savings if your property's value has dropped or was initially overstated.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Onslow County

via CostByCounty

Onslow's rent squeeze slightly exceeds national norms

Onslow County's 22.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the tightest in the region, pushing past the national average and indicating that renters here dedicate meaningfully more of their earnings to housing. With a median household income of $64,568—nearly $10,000 below the national median—the squeeze is real despite moderate rents of $1,198 per month.

Higher rents outpace state affordability standard

Onslow County's 22.3% rent-to-income ratio sits 3.7 percentage points above North Carolina's state average of 18.6%, and its median rent of $1,198 is 28% higher than the state median of $938. This combination places Onslow among the state's less affordable counties for renters.

Middle ground between affordable and pricey coastal zones

Onslow's $1,198 median rent sits between Pamlico ($909) and New Hanover ($1,343), positioning it as the bridge between the county's affordable inland areas and premium coastal markets. It edges above Pasquotank ($1,146) and Perquimans ($1,061), reflecting its military-anchored economy and coastal proximity.

Nearly identical rent and mortgage burdens

Onslow renters and homeowners face nearly identical monthly costs—$1,198 and $1,205 respectively—on a median home value of $219,500, suggesting a balanced housing market. Together, housing consumes approximately 22% of a $64,568 median income, leaving limited breathing room for other expenses.

Military proximity drives Onslow's housing demand

Onslow appeals to military families and those seeking coastal access, but renters should know they'll spend more on housing than typical North Carolina residents. Compare Onslow's opportunities against more affordable inland neighbors like Pamlico or Northampton if cost of living is your primary consideration.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Onslow County

via IncomeByCounty

Onslow's income moderately trails national average

Onslow County's median household income of $64,568 falls 13.7% below the national median of $74,755, reflecting a below-average but not severely struggling economic position. The county's income profile places it in the lower-middle range of American counties.

Ranks in North Carolina's middle-lower tier

Onslow County's $64,568 median household income exceeds the state average of $61,072 by about 6%, ranking it slightly above the state median. However, this modest advantage masks uneven income distribution across the county's military and civilian sectors.

Trails wealthier coastal peers

Onslow County's $64,568 income falls short of New Hanover County ($72,892) and Pender County ($76,838), though it exceeds inland peers like Pamlico County ($61,624). The military presence in Jacksonville influences the county's overall income profile, creating distinct economic zones.

Housing costs edge toward affordability concerns

At a 22.3% rent-to-income ratio, Onslow County sits at the threshold of housing affordability stress, just above recommended limits. The median home value of $219,500 remains relatively accessible, but renters face tighter margins in their household budgets.

Leverage military and civilian employment benefits

Onslow households, particularly those with military connections, should maximize retirement savings options like TSP accounts and veterans' benefits programs. Diversifying income sources and investing in homeownership can build equity and long-term wealth despite moderate median incomes.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Onslow County

via HealthByCounty

Onslow's health mirrors North Carolina's mixed picture

At 74.1 years, Onslow's life expectancy sits slightly below the national average of 76.4 years and barely trails the state average of 74.4 years. About 16.9% of residents report poor or fair health, closer to the national norm (17.1%) than to the state's best performers. This positions Onslow as a middle-performing county with room for improvement.

Onslow ranks near the state's middle on health metrics

Onslow's life expectancy of 74.1 years is virtually at the state average, while its 16.9% poor/fair health rate sits near the midpoint among North Carolina counties. The uninsured rate of 9.5% is notably better than the state average of 12.5%, suggesting residents have relatively good coverage access. These mixed signals suggest that insurance availability isn't fully translating into optimal health outcomes.

Primary care capacity lags regional leaders

Onslow offers 31 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—robust compared to rural eastern North Carolina but well below strong coastal performers like New Hanover (92 per 100K). Mental health providers number 289 per 100,000, providing moderate access that falls short of state leaders. The gap widens with specialists, requiring many residents to travel to larger medical centers.

Better coverage, but provider gaps persist

Onslow's 9.5% uninsured rate—among the state's best—means most residents have insurance, yet 16.9% still report poor health, suggesting access to providers or quality of care may limit outcomes. Residents often face waits for primary care appointments and limited mental health services relative to population. Improving primary care efficiency and expanding behavioral health capacity could help translate coverage into better health.

Nearly all Onslow residents have coverage options

With only 9.5% of Onslow residents uninsured, coverage is within reach for nearly everyone. If you're uninsured, visit ncdhhs.gov or call 211 to check Medicaid eligibility or marketplace tax credits. Once covered, work with your primary care provider to establish regular preventive care—the foundation for the healthier outcomes Onslow can achieve.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Onslow County

via RiskByCounty

Onslow faces high disaster risk nationwide

With a composite risk score of 94.97 and a 'Relatively High' rating, Onslow County ranks among America's more hazardous counties for natural disasters. This reflects its coastal position and vulnerability to the full spectrum of Atlantic weather hazards.

Among North Carolina's highest-risk counties

Onslow's 94.97 score far exceeds the state average of 66.72, placing it near the top tier of North Carolina counties by risk. Proximity to the Atlantic and low elevation make coastal and inland areas alike vulnerable to hurricanes, storms, and flooding.

Rivals New Hanover and Pender risk levels

Onslow (94.97) is nearly equal to New Hanover County (96.12) and Pender County (86.93) in total risk, forming a coastal trio of highest-hazard zones. All three counties share similar hurricane, wildfire, and flood exposures that demand comparable preparation.

Hurricanes and wildfires are primary threats

Onslow's hurricane risk of 98.96 is nearly maximal, with coastal and even inland areas subject to destructive storm surge and winds. Wildfire risk of 85.91 and tornado risk of 85.81 create additional seasonal hazards, particularly during spring and fall months.

Invest in comprehensive disaster insurance

Onslow homeowners should carry both standard homeowners insurance and separate flood coverage, as coastal properties especially face storm surge and surge-driven flooding. Reinforce roof connections and consider impact-resistant windows or shutters to minimize hurricane damage and reduce insurance premiums.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.