Population 138,977 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Lakewood
Household size in Lakewood
| Period | Lakewood | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.08 | 2.79 | 2.77 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 4.65 | 2.85 | 2.82 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 5.03 | 2.82 | 2.78 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 5.13 | 2.79 | 2.76 | 2.65 |
| Change | +1.05 | −0.00 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Lakewood are large by national standards, averaging 5.13 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Household size has climbed from 4.08 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. No other New Jersey city with 5,000+ people has larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Lakewood
| Period | Lakewood | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.1 | 38.0 | 39.1 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 23.2 | 38.7 | 40.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 21.8 | 39.8 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 20.3 | 40.4 | 40.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | −5.8 | +2.4 | +1.8 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 20.3, Lakewood is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward families with many children. Since 2006–10, the median age has dropped from 26.1, even as the national median rose. No other New Jersey city with 5,000+ people is younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Lakewood
| Period | Lakewood | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.3% | 13.1% | 11.6% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 13.5% | 12.8% | 11.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.3% | 11.4% | 10.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.2% | 11.6% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −5.1 pts | −1.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Lakewood: 8.2% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has fallen 5.1 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Lakewood
Renters in Lakewood
| Period | Lakewood | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.5% | 47.1% | 33.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 49.7% | 48.7% | 35.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 49.7% | 48.8% | 36.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 48.7% | 48.6% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.2 pts | +1.5 pts | +3.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in Lakewood than nationally: 48.7% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. Among homeowners, 32.6% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the north; owners are most common in the southeast. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 3.2 points, in line with the national trend.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Lakewood
| Period | Lakewood | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.5% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.1% | 9.0% | 9.3% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.8% | 9.1% | 9.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.0% | 7.9% | 6.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | −1.2 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in Lakewood than nationally: 7.0%, against 9.6% for the U.S. The picture is much the same across the New York area. Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged down 1.5 points, as it has nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Lakewood
| Period | Lakewood | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1983 | 1957 | 1965 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1987 | 1958 | 1966 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1992 | 1959 | 1967 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1997 | 1962 | 1969 | 1980 |
| Change | +14 | +5 | +5 | +6 |
Lakewood has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1997, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1983 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the south, the oldest in the northwest. Of the 415 New Jersey cities with 5,000+ people, only four have newer homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Lakewood
| Period | Lakewood | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,458 | $1,268 | $1,246 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,497 | $1,377 | $1,324 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,515 | $1,645 | $1,522 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,815 | $2,060 | $1,896 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$357 | +$792 | +$651 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Lakewood costs $1,815 a month with utilities, above the national median of $1,571. Even so, rents here are lower than in the New York area overall ($2,060). Rents are up $357 a month from 2006–10, a 24% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 40.0% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Lakewood
Bachelor's degrees in Lakewood
| Period | Lakewood | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.0% | 35.0% | 34.7% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 28.2% | 36.7% | 36.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 31.5% | 39.9% | 39.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 34.7% | 43.6% | 43.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +10.7 pts | +8.6 pts | +8.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are about as common in Lakewood as nationally: 34.7% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share is lower than in the New York area as a whole (43.6%). Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 10.7 points, in line with the national trend.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Lakewood
| Period | Lakewood | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 82.4% | 83.7% | 87.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 82.6% | 84.6% | 88.1% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 87.2% | 86.2% | 89.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 90.0% | 86.9% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +7.6 pts | +3.3 pts | +3.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Lakewood have finished high school as nationally: 90.0%, against 89.3%. The rate is higher than in the wider New York area (86.9%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 7.6 points, as it has nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Lakewood
| Period | Lakewood | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.3% | 7.9% | 7.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.0% | 9.5% | 9.8% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.7% | 5.7% | 5.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.4% | 6.9% | 6.4% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.8 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Lakewood is the same as the national rate: 5.4% of the labor force. The rate is lower than in the New York area overall (6.9%). Unemployment has fallen 2.8 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Lakewood compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakewood | 5.13 | 20.3 | 8.2% | 48.7% | 7.0% | 1997 | $1,815 | 34.7% | 90.0% | 5.4% |
| Howell | 2.97 | 39.2 | 9.5% | 11.8% | 3.6% | 1982 | $2,443 | 44.4% | 94.5% | 4.8% |
| Brick | 2.55 | 46.5 | 9.5% | 18.2% | 7.8% | 1975 | $1,922 | 35.2% | 95.7% | 6.2% |
| Cedar Glen West | 1.92 | 64.3 | 4.9% | 9.7% | 27.5% | 1965 | $740 | 15.8% | 94.9% | 2.6% |
| Jackson | 3.07 | 37.9 | 10.6% | 13.1% | 7.4% | 1988 | $2,062 | 38.9% | 94.6% | 4.9% |
| Pine Lake Park | 3.18 | 40.0 | 9.6% | 11.4% | 5.1% | 1979 | $1,983 | 24.4% | 91.1% | 6.0% |
| Toms River | 2.71 | 43.3 | 9.6% | 17.6% | 10.7% | 1980 | $2,011 | 36.3% | 92.9% | 4.5% |
| Holmansville | 2.94 | 39.7 | 4.5% | 11.1% | 12.7% | 1992 | $1,564 | 33.4% | 92.5% | 7.5% |
| Allenwood | 3.54 | 39.2 | 7.2% | 5.2% | 8.2% | 1971 | $2,887 | 49.0% | 94.9% | 3.0% |
| Point Pleasant | 2.40 | 45.4 | 7.0% | 18.1% | 8.8% | 1970 | $1,983 | 50.0% | 96.5% | 3.0% |
| Lakehurst | 2.54 | 38.3 | 14.1% | 42.9% | 7.8% | 1975 | $1,755 | 18.1% | 87.2% | 8.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Georgetown, TX · Hagerstown, MD · Goodyear, AZ · Hammond, IN · Greenwood, IN · Gary, IN · Hamilton, OH · Grand Rapids, MI · Grand Prairie, TX · Glendale, CA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Lakewood. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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