Jacksonville, NC
Jacksonville is home to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, one of the largest Marine Corps installations in the world. The base's presence creates a structural rental demand that is unlike any other market in the Carolinas — consistent, creditworthy, and largely insulated from private sector economic cycles.
Jacksonville's multifamily market is defined by its military anchor. Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River collectively employ and house tens of thousands of active duty Marines and their families. Military families who live off-base represent a significant and consistent rental demand base, with BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) providing reliable income for landlords.
The Jacksonville market has historically offered attractive yields for investors who understand the military housing dynamic. The BAH rate sets a floor for rental rates in the market, and the consistent turnover of military families — typically on 2-3 year assignment cycles — creates a steady flow of new renters. The key risk is base realignment and closure (BRAC) — investors should monitor DoD policy for any changes affecting Camp Lejeune.
Britt CRE covers Jacksonville as part of our Coastal Carolinas NC coverage, with attention to the military housing market where the investment thesis is distinct from civilian rental markets.
Why Jacksonville?
- —Camp Lejeune — one of the world's largest Marine Corps installations — anchoring structural demand
- —BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) providing reliable, government-backed rental income
- —Consistent military family turnover creating steady flow of new renters
- —Occupancy largely insulated from private sector economic cycles
- —Attractive acquisition pricing reflecting the market's secondary coastal status
Jacksonville is part of the Coastal Carolinas
Explore the full market context, investment thesis, and other cities in this region.