Jacksonville is located near the Atlantic Coast at the mouth of the New River. The 153,000-acre Camp Lejeune marine base is the mainstay of the local economy and lifestyle, and accounts for about half of the 70,000 Jacksonville city residents. The military presence gives a stable economy but little growth opportunity. The area is also known for boating and water sports. Cost of living is quite low and the winter climate is attractive, but the economy isn’t very diverse and area has few other cultural and service amenities. It is quite isolated by geography, road structure and distance from other North Carolina cities; Raleigh is about 130 miles northwest.

Jacksonville is located at the head of a bay formed by the New River, in a mostly level, often marshy coastal plain. The climate is humid subtropical with a marine influence. Summers days are warm and very humid, and are sometimes cooled by marine breezes depending on the prevailing winds. High temperatures of 90 degrees are reached every 1 in 2 summer days, but 100 degree heat is rare. Winters are cool and wet but seldom cold. The area gets significant rain in all seasons, with peaks during summer thunderstorms and coastal storms. Snow is rare.