Sneads Ferry, North Carolina

Sneads Ferry is a census-designated place (CDP) in Onslow County, North Carolina, United States. It is the second largest municipality in Onslow County, behind Jacksonville and is part of the Jacksonville, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. Once a rural fishing village, Sneads Ferry has experienced a surge in development since 2000. Based on U.S. Census data, the study area has grown from 5,425 residents in 2000 to approximately 9,750 residents in 2014, an 80% increase. Growth primarily has been driven by accessibility to MCB Camp Lejeune from the gate on NC 172 and expansion of the United States Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) accessed from NC 210. Sneads Ferry is expected to continue growing rapidly at 3.3% annually, adding 17,500 new residents through 2040 reaching 20,000 in total population by 2030.

Geography

Sneads Ferry is located at 34°33′N 77°23′W / 34.550°N 77.383°W / 34.550; -77.383 (34.5520, -77.3866).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 5.8 square miles (15 km²), of which, 3.8 square miles (9.8 km²) of it is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²) of it (35.79%) is water. It is common to drive through the town on the way to topsail beach without realizing it is even there.