Jacksonville, NC Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Jacksonville, NC: What You Need to Know

Jacksonville, a city in southeastern North Carolina, has always been associated with the U.S. Marine Corps. It’s the home of Camp Lejeune and New River Air Station. 

Job Opportunities

Jacksonville, the seat of Onslow County, is also the county’s commercial hub. Top employers in the area include the U.S. Department of Defense and the Marine Corps Exchange Services. Camp Lejeune employs 37,350 active-duty Marines and 5,737 civilians. About 7,000 marines, sailors, and airmen, and 1,000 civilians work at the New River Air Station. Top nonmilitary employers include the Onslow County Board of Education and Onslow Memorial Hospital.

Local Culture

In June 2016, Jacksonville made history as the first municipality to observe Freedom Day as a paid holiday. On the second Monday of December, the city honors the U.S. Constitution’s 13th Amendment, which made slavery illegal. The holiday recognizes the struggles of African Americans, especially those in the military. African Americans recruited by the Marines used to be sent to Camp Montford Point, a segregated base near Camp Lejeune. Indeed, the Marine Corps was the last branch of the military to accept Blacks, and only after President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order in 1941 banning discriminatory hiring in the defense industry. 

Things to Do in Jacksonville

You can access the New River, which flows through three states, from various points in Jacksonville. The river is perfect for kayaking and canoeing. Jacksonville Landing downtown has three boat launches and a beach. You can also launch a kayak or canoe at the Riverwalk Marina, or simply enjoy the view. The Lejeune Memorial Gardens highlights Jacksonville’s rich military heritage. The gardens feature the Beirut Memorial, Onslow Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Montford Point Marine Memorial, and 9/11 Memorial Beam. The Onslow memorial lists all the names of fallen Vietnam veterans. 

Cost of Living

Jacksonville’s cost of living rate and food costs are 3.9% and 0.6% higher than the national average, respectively, with median gross rent at $992. At least, housing costs are 4.3% lower than the national average. North Carolinians pay a flat rate of 5.25% in income tax. The state collects 4.75% in sales tax, but counties charge extra sales tax. 

Know Your Neighborhoods

This military town is home to 72,436 people, the majority (69%) of whom rent. Residents love the city’s excellent amenities and proximity to beautiful beaches such as those on Topsail Island. For suburbanites, Half Moon is a short drive from Jacksonville, and it has superb schools. Swansboro is farther from Jacksonville, but residents say the town’s location along the beach is worth the commute.