Richlands is a town in Onslow County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2020 census, Richlands had a population of 2,287. It is included in the Jacksonville, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. Incorporated on March 29, 1880, it was the first town in Onslow County to have its own library and museum (home of the Onslow County Museum). Richlands was also the first town in Onslow County to have a female mayor, Annette Hargett. Richlands is located 12 miles northwest of Jacksonville.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

ZIP code28574

Area code910

Living in Richlands

Housing in Richlands

$276K▲ 4.4% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Richlands home is worth about $276,000, up 4.4% in a year, 17% below the North Carolina typical home.

A strong seller's market

Buyer’sBalancedSeller’s

Days on market190

Sale-to-list100.1%

Sold in May11

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Richlands

A⁻

Safety Grade A-

Richlands reports less crime per resident than 78% of the U.S. towns and cities we grade.

Violent crime per 1,000

Richlands 0

North Carolina 3.3

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Richlands 7.2

North Carolina 18.1

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Richlands

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Richlands for work: only 6% work in town. The top destinations are Jacksonville (26%), Raleigh (4%) and Charlotte (3%). Half commute less than 21 miles.

Jacksonville

26%

Raleigh

Charlotte

Wilmington

6%Work in townlive and work in Richlands 21 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 944Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Richlands →

Health in Richlands

B⁺

Health Grade B+

Healthier than 67% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 88% of towns with similar incomes.

Compared with North Carolina

7better than NC·1worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 24 are too close to call.

Conditions 7▲ 5 close Habits all close Care 1▼ 6 close Mind all close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

5.3%Fewer adults with heart diseaseNC 6.6% · better 9.7%Fewer adults with diabetesNC 12% · better 71.8%Fewer adults treating high blood pressureNC 76.7% · worse

Care nearby

Onslow Memorial HospitalJacksonville · 13 mi · ER

Goshen Medical Center - New RiverJacksonville · 12.5 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Richlands · CMS · HRSAHealth in Richlands →

Natural hazards in Richlands

Very high

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 97% of U.S. communities.

🌀 Hurricanes🌊 Inland flooding

12Does Richlands flood?paid flood claims since 1999 7Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Richlands

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Richlands →

Climate in Richlands

Full climate →

Richlands has mild winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 90°, a January night drops to 33°, and snow is almost unheard of.

57° / 34°Winter

73° / 49°Spring

88° / 68°Summer

74° / 52°Fall

How much snow does Richlands get?Almost none.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Nov 4, with the last in spring around Apr 5.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+0.9° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Richlands →

Schools in Richlands

All Richlands schools →

School Grade B

The public schools Richlands’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 56% of North Carolina’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they sit near the middle.

DistrictOnslow County SchoolsSchools2

Trexler Middle B-Middle · Grades 6–8 · 770 students Richlands High A-High · Grades 9–12 · 1,027 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within NC. Ratings are from neighbors.