Swansboro

About

Swansboro is a gorgeous little seaside town located roughly 20 miles east of Camp Lejeune. It lies where the White Oak River joins the Atlantic Ocean. This active community takes great pride in its historic downtown, lively festivals, unspoiled beaches, picturesque state parks, and of course the waterways and harbor. Once a thriving shipping port, Swansboro maintains its historic charm. The quaint, waterfront downtown is home to antique shops, boutiques, an ice cream parlor, and some of the area’s most raved about restaurants. This is where the foodies come to find “right off the boat” seafood, locally sourced ingredients, and independently owned eateries.

Hammocks Beach State Park and Bear Island are two of the top natural attractions. The Arts by the Sea Festival, Christmas Flotilla, an annual Oyster Roast and Pig Cook-Off, fishing tournaments, and the oh-so-popular Mullet Festival (in honor of the fish, not the hairstyle) are also sure to keep you occupied.

Neighbors

Swansboro neighbors are a mix of military and civilian. Hospitality is a core value here, and you’ll likely find a basket of muffins on your doorstep when you move in. The top-rated Swansboro schools attract families from all over the region.

Neighborhood Feel

Quaint, historic homes can be found closer to downtown, and there also are many new, master planned communities from which to choose. Modern construction, two-story homes in HOA-run neighborhoods are a common choice for most military families.

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Neighborhood Location

Commute
Camp Lejeune – 172 Gate
MCAS New River – Main Gate
Drive Time to Gate
15 minutes
30 to 35* minutes
By Transit
N/A
N/A

Neighborhood Info

Swansboro - MCB Camp Lejeune, NC - gomillie.com

Points of Interest

Hammocks Beach State Park

Riverfront Park

Historic Downtown Swansboro

Bear Island

Big Plus

Downtown Swansboro is a destination all its own. People come from all over the region to visit the independently owned shops, restaurants, and boutiques.

The beaches of Swansboro are idyllic and less busy than some others. Hammocks Beach State Park is a local favorite. Croatan National Forest is only three miles away and offers a bounty of recreation activities for the outdoorsy types.

The restaurants in Swansboro claim to be some of the region’s best. Locavores flock here to escape the chain restaurant scene.

Neighbors wave, and cars let you merge into traffic. Be sure to make eye contact in the grocery store and be prepared for little old ladies to chat you up about your baby. Southern hospitality is alive and well in North Carolina. Embrace it!

Things to Consider

Swansboro can be a hike for those commuting to MCAS New River or the other side of Camp Lejeune. If you’ll be commuting to the main areas of Camp Lejeune, Swansboro can take up to 30 minutes. There are three gates to choose from, though, and the traffic tends to be fairly predictable.

The climate in southeastern North Carolina is borderline tropical. Mild winters, short springs, and long, hot summers are the norm. There is little reprieve from the sweltering humidity, and the mosquitos can carry off small animals (kidding). There’s a reason everyone moves slowly in the South, and it’s more a coping mechanism for the heat than a cultural attitude – or maybe it’s both.

How’s the Market?

The median home value for single family homes in Swansboro is $194,000 according to the Zillow Home Value Index. The ZHV for Swansboro, NC is for all homes, including smaller apartments and very large homes. There isn’t enough data available to narrow down the median rate for single-family homes.

According to Zillow’s Rental Index, the median rental rate for single-family homes in Swansboro is $1,083.

School Scoop

Public schools in Swansboro are a part of the Onslow County Schools District, which has an overall rating of 6, according to GreatSchools.org.

According to their website, OCS works closely with Lejeune/New River school liaisons to provide support to military students. Military children make up approximately 40 percent of Onslow County School’s population. Swansboro High School received 2016-17 Military Friendly School of the Year Award for their successful implementation of Military Child Education Coalition’s Student2Student program.

Intra/inter-district transfers are allowed for various reasons, but be mindful that they do not allow any transfers to schools that are at or over capacity.

All of the Onslow County elementary schools now have a specific instructional focus under the “Themed Elementary School” program. Examples of school themes include International Baccalaureate; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM); and the Global Passport model.

Onslow County Partnership for Children operates a pre-kindergarten program through the North Carolina Pre-K program. Admission is typically income-based, but military children are exempt from income screening.

Highlighted Areas

Charleston Park

Forest Brook

Bluewater Cove