Onslow County Demographics

A map of Onslow County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	133,070	129,499	64.0%	63.3%
Hispanic	29,152	27,641	14.0%	13.5%
Black	23,976	26,939	11.5%	13.2%
Multiracial	15,367	13,045	7.4%	6.4%
Asian	3,771	4,508	1.8%	2.2%
Native American/Other	2,570	2,944	1.2%	1.4%

Onslow County, North Carolina has an estimated population of 207,906, a slight increase from the 204,576 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 64.0% White, 14.0% Hispanic, 11.5% Black, 7.4% Multiracial, 1.8% Asian, and 1.2% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Onslow County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Onslow has become slightly less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is less diverse than North Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Onslow County, that probability was 55.9% in 2020 and 55.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Onslow County is ranked the 13th most populous county in North Carolina, out of 100 counties. Onslow County was ranked the 13th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Onslow County's White Population

133,070 residents of Onslow County, or 64.0% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Onslow County is slightly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Onslow County ranks 57th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Onslow County's White population has grown by an estimated 2.8%. White residents' share of Onslow County's population has increased from 63.3% to 64.0%.

Onslow County is more White than neighboring Jones County (63.1% White), Duplin County (50.2% White), and Lenoir County (47.3% White). Onslow County is less White than neighboring Pender County (74% White), and Craven County (64.5% White).

Onslow County's Black Population

23,976 residents of Onslow County, or 11.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Onslow County is lower than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Onslow County ranks 55th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Onslow County's Black population has declined by an estimated 11.0%. Black residents' share of Onslow County's population has decreased from 13.2% to 11.5%.

Onslow County is less Black than neighboring Jones County (26.6% Black), Pender County (12.1% Black), Craven County (19.5% Black), Duplin County (22.1% Black), and Lenoir County (39.2% Black).

Onslow County's Asian Population

3,771 residents of Onslow County, or 1.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Onslow County is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Onslow County ranks 14th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Onslow County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 16.3%. Asian residents' share of Onslow County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.8%.

Onslow County is more Asian than neighboring Jones County (1.2% Asian), Pender County (0.7% Asian), Duplin County (0.6% Asian), and Lenoir County (0.7% Asian). Onslow County is less Asian than neighboring Craven County (2.9% Asian).

Onslow County's Hispanic Population

29,152 residents of Onslow County, or 14.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Onslow County is slightly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Onslow County ranks 14th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Onslow County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 5.5%. Hispanic residents' share of Onslow County's population has increased from 13.5% to 14.0%.

Onslow County is more Hispanic than neighboring Jones County (5.1% Hispanic), Pender County (8.8% Hispanic), Craven County (7.8% Hispanic), and Lenoir County (8.8% Hispanic). Onslow County is less Hispanic than neighboring Duplin County (23.3% Hispanic).

Onslow County's Native American/Other Population

2,570 residents of Onslow County, or 1.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Onslow County is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Onslow County ranks 16th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Onslow County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 12.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Onslow County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.2%.

Onslow County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Jones County (0.5% Native American/Other), Pender County (0.7% Native American/Other), Duplin County (0.3% Native American/Other), and Lenoir County (0.3% Native American/Other). Onslow County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Craven County (1.4% Native American/Other).

Onslow County's Multiracial Population

15,367 residents of Onslow County, or 7.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Onslow County is slightly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Onslow County ranks 1st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Onslow County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 17.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Onslow County's population has increased from 6.4% to 7.4%.

Onslow County is more Multiracial than neighboring Jones County (3.6% Multiracial), Pender County (3.7% Multiracial), Craven County (3.9% Multiracial), Duplin County (3.6% Multiracial), and Lenoir County (3.6% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.