About Richlands, NC

Richlands, North Carolina is a town rich in history but whose exact origins are lost in the passage of time. It is presumed that the town was originally named Rich Lands because the soil is rich in nutrients. No matter how this town got its name, it is a charming country town located approximately 12 miles from Jacksonville, the county seat of Onslow County. Richlands was incorporated in March of 1880.

The town has a nostalgic feel that evokes memories of Mayberry and a purer, less complicated time. The downtown area has the typical town center of shops and other facilities that provide employment and commerce for this delightful town. You will find the residents of Richlands to be friendly, helpful and informative. They are a family-oriented people proud of their heritage, children and town.

As in many small towns across the country, the town boasts a tractor dealership which lends credence to the agricultural background of the town. The variety of shopping in Richlands provides something for everyone! There are stores for scrapbooking, clothing, a hardware store, auto parts store and a dance studio to mention a few!

Richlands’ focus on children is seen in the quality of its schools and the delightful park in the center of town well equipped with playground facilities (and benches for sitting) to delight the hearts of children young and old!

From tractor pulls in the summer, to rodeos, blue grass and southern gospel concerts, and the Farmers Day celebration and parade after Labor Day (that has been held for over 40 years!), there is plenty to do!

Many of the homes are turn-of-the-century homes and are on the historic registry, so it is nice to just walk the streets of the town, greet the folks sitting on their porches and admire the architecture and old style historic homes.

Richlands is the home of the Onslow County Museam and is the first town in the county to have a public library!

In addition to its historical value to the county, Richlands is growing rapidly due to the new bypass that opened the area up as an alternative to living in Jacksonville. It is indeed the best of both worlds…close to Jacksonville and New River MCAS and Camp LeJeune, but with the feel of country. There are many new subdivisions that have been developed in the last few years that are creating exponential growth for the town.

With several restaurants to choose from and its close proximity to the new WalMart, Lowe’s Home Center, new shops, and I-40, Richlands is a highly desirable place to live.