Lakewood, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lakewood, New Jersey had a total population of 69,585, the 12th largest community in New Jersey, with a median household income of $56,968, which is 45% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 12.6x the median household income.
Lakewood Quick Facts
How Lakewood Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 69,884 | 69,585 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $57,576 | $56,968 | -1.1% |
| Median home value | $618,400 | $715,500 | +15.7% |
How Lakewood Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 66 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lakewood Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Ocean County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toms River | 94,956 | $100,137 | 5.8% | $403,600 |
| Point Pleasant | 19,334 | $115,625 | 4.5% | $575,300 |
| Ocean Acres | 19,204 | $121,924 | 1.9% | $402,500 |
| Holiday City-Berkeley | 12,995 | $50,156 | 9.6% | $266,200 |
| Beachwood | 11,088 | $106,858 | 4.5% | $352,600 |
| Pine Lake Park | 9,795 | $91,813 | 7.5% | $414,700 |
| Mystic Island | 8,259 | $78,714 | 16.1% | $321,500 |
| Crestwood Village | 7,830 | $38,091 | 12.3% | $96,500 |
| Leisure Village | 5,751 | $44,542 | 42.2% | $145,800 |
| Forked River | 5,196 | $91,493 | 11.6% | $437,000 |
Cities Similar to Lakewood
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passaic | 70,002 | $55,371 | $429,900 | 16.7% | 22.9% |
| East Orange | 70,090 | $60,830 | $365,900 | 22.7% | 16.4% |
| Union City | 66,463 | $64,310 | $471,600 | 28.3% | 23.1% |
| Camden | 71,496 | $40,546 | $112,000 | 10.1% | 30.2% |
| Vineland | 61,006 | $67,860 | $240,700 | 24.1% | 14.6% |
Population Overview
Lakewood is a mid-sized community located in New Jersey, within Ocean County. The total population is 69,585. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lakewood is 17.5 years. This is 56% lower than the state median of 40.1 years. With 51.2% of the population under 18, Lakewood has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lakewood is $56,968. This is 45% lower than the state median of $103,556. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.9%. This is 208% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.7%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.3%. The median home value is $715,500. Housing costs are 57% higher than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 12.6x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 39.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lakewood is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (82.2% vs 50.9%). The Black or African American population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 12.2%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 10.1%.
Education
31.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% lower than the state rate of 43.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.3%. Notably, 15.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lakewood, New Jersey is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against New Jersey state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Lakewood, New Jersey?
Lakewood, New Jersey has a population of 69,585 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lakewood, NJ?
The median household income in Lakewood is $56,968, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lakewood, NJ?
The poverty rate in Lakewood is 29.9%. This means approximately 20,374 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lakewood, New Jersey?
Lakewood's population is 82.2% White, 1.7% Black, 13.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lakewood, NJ?
The median home value in Lakewood is $715,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 12.6x.
How educated is Lakewood, New Jersey?
31.9% of adults (25+) in Lakewood hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.