Jacksonville is located in Onslow County, northeast of Wilmington, on the banks of the New River. Jacksonville is the commercial hub of Onslow County and home to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River. Construction of Camp Lejeune caused a population explosion in the small town of about 800 inhabitants as new workers migrated to the area. Growth continued to be fueled by both young Marine families and military retirees. Today, Jacksonville's primary industry is retail sales and services.A 2006 real estate survey has estimated the population of Jacksonville, North Carolina at 69,688.