The numbers behind Medicare in Onslow County
| Onslow County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 22,467 | 1,908,489 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 10.5% | 17.6% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 33,497 | 2,336,840 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 15,080 | 1,353,169 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 45.0% | 57.9% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
Among North Carolina’s 100 counties, Onslow County comes in 24th for residents age 65 and up (22,467). Older adults make up 10.5% of the population here; the state figure is 17.6%. Another 8,803 residents are age 60 to 64 and will reach Medicare eligibility within about five years (see our turning 65 guide). Among residents 65 and older, 63% are 65 to 74, 29% are 75 to 84 and 8% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). Medicare Advantage enrollment in Onslow County is 45.0% of people with Medicare, lower than the North Carolina average of 57.9%. What most people do in a county is less important than what fits you. We weigh Medicare Advantage against Original Medicare with Medigap using your doctors, your drugs and your budget.
Who has Medicare in Onslow County
Onslow County sits in a metro area, which the USDA defines as counties in metro areas of fewer than 250,000 population. That usually means more doctors, more hospitals and more plan choices in the area.
CMS counts 31,539 Medicare beneficiaries in Onslow County (2023). Their average age is 71, younger than the North Carolina average of 73. About 12% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, close to the state figure of 13%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Onslow County, CMS reported about 509 emergency room visits and 175 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (572) and lower than it for hospital stays (210). About 8% received home health care. These figures describe how people use care under Original Medicare; they do not show what any plan covers or costs.
Sources: CMS Medicare Geographic Variation, 2023; USDA Rural-Urban Continuum Codes, 2023.
Medicare Advantage and Part D plan availability and provider networks are set county by county, so the plans open to you in Onslow County may differ from those in a neighboring county. We are not based in Onslow County; we help Onslow County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Onslow County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Onslow County:
- Onslow Memorial Hospital — Jacksonville (acute care; government-owned; emergency services; CMS overall rating 1 of 5)
Being located in the county is not the same as being in your plan’s network. Each Medicare Advantage plan builds its own network, so we confirm that your hospital and your doctors are included before you choose. Ratings are CMS Care Compare overall hospital star ratings; they describe the hospital, not whether a plan covers it. Source: CMS Hospital General Information.
Where people live in Onslow County
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Onslow County at Jacksonville (72,879), Holly Ridge (5,170), Swansboro (4,137), Richlands (2,415), North Topsail Beach (1,069), Surf City (402), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Onslow County number 13: 28445, 28454, 28460, 28539, 28540, 28542, 28543, 28544, 28546, 28547, 28555, 28574, 28582. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Onslow County?
Reach out to us: fill out our short form or call (571) 354-0146, and a licensed agent will compare the plans available to you, check your doctors and drugs, and stay with you each year at renewal. For general Medicare information, the federal helpline is 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Medicare resources from official sources
- Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov, searchable by ZIP code.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- Medicare.gov: Medigap on how Medicare Supplement works.
- HealthCare.gov if you are not yet on Medicare.
- North Carolina Department of Insurance: North Carolina’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Onslow County residents
Here is what we can help Onslow County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance and final expense insurance.
Get a clear answer for Onslow County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonRead next
- How to read your Medicare Annual Notice of Change
- When can you switch Medicare plans? Every enrollment window
- Do you really need a Medicare agent?
- Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained
Onslow County compared with similar North Carolina counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chatham County | 21,174 | 49.6% | 6% | Metro |
| Wayne County | 20,839 | 58.2% | 17% | Metro |
| Rockingham County | 20,123 | 76.8% | 21% | Metro |
| Orange County | 25,228 | 52.0% | 9% | Metro |
| Burke County | 19,499 | 65.2% | 19% | Metro |
| Nash County | 19,132 | 60.0% | 14% | Metro |
See every North Carolina county in our North Carolina directory or go to our North Carolina Medicare hub.