Skip to content
Submit

Onslow County

NC · Pop. 208,537 · Mixed County

59/100Homestead Score

Onslow County sits in North Carolina across 762 square miles, home to 208,537 people at 273.7 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on soybeans, cotton, corn. The median home price is $220,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.65%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 236-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.6°F and average winter lows of 32.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 54.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Onslow Memorial Hospital, Inc is 6.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.65%
Growing Season: 236 days
Broadband: 97.6%
Density: 273.7/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 236-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.65% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Broadband reaches 97.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Onslow Memorial Hospital, Inc, with an emergency room, is just 6.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low unemployment rate of 4% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
  • At 273.7 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.

At a glance

Onslow County, NC is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
59/100
Median home price
$220k
Property tax
0.65%
Growing season
236 days (zone 8a)
Annual rainfall
54.3"
Broadband
97.6%
Nearest hospital
Onslow Memorial Hospital, Inc, 6.5 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.65%
Median Household Income$64,568
Poverty Rate11.7%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$220K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8a
Growing Season236 days
Annual Rainfall54.3 inches
Avg Summer High88.6°F
Avg Winter Low32.4°F
Top CropsSoybeans, Cotton, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought4/10
Wildfire9/10
Tornado9/10
Flood8/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalOnslow Memorial Hospital, Inc (6.5 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities3

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage97.6%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Onslow County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Onslow County?
Onslow County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 236-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.6°F, and average winter lows of 32.4°F. The established crops are soybeans, cotton, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $220,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.65%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 97.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Onslow Memorial Hospital, Inc is 6.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.

Explore North Carolina Resources

Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

LandWatch

Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.

Browse Land Listings

Lands of America

The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.

Search Rural Properties

AcreTrader

Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.

Explore Farmland Investments

More counties in North Carolina

All North Carolina counties

Nearby counties

The closest counties to Onslow County by distance, including across state lines.

Data sources

Verified

Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.