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Living in
Lakewood.
Lakewood is an unincorporated community in Ocean County, NJ. It has no city government: the county runs it, and the Census counts it as its own place.
About
Life in Lakewood
This is a rapidly growing community that's transformed dramatically over the past two decades, so expect ongoing development and change. The Orthodox Jewish community forms the cultural backbone here—more than half the population—which shapes everything from religious institutions to schools to the local political landscape, alongside a meaningful Latino community. The school district operates on tight budgets and has faced real financial strain, though it maintains a solid student-teacher ratio and serves 5,433 students across eight schools.
Lakewood at a Glance
Population, income, housing and more
Median Age
17.5 yrs
Poverty Rate
29.9%
Foreign-Born
8.5%
Broadband Internet
58.4%
of households
Median household income
Demographics8.5% foreign-born, most often from Mexico
Who lives in Lakewood: race and ethnicity, ages, households, languages and countries of origin
In Lakewood, the largest foreign-born group is from Mexico (31.6%), and 10.7% of residents speak Spanish at home.
Under 18
51.2%
of residents
65 and Older
5.0%
of residents
Households with Kids
70.9%
anyone under 18
Living Alone
9.2%
of households
Married Couples
80.2%
of households
Avg Household Size
4.85
people
Race & Ethnicity
Hispanic or Latino of any race; other groups are non-Hispanic
Top countries of origin (foreign-born)
Languages Spoken at Home
Cost of Livingrent about average for NJ
Rent, home values, and income in Lakewood
In Lakewood, home values are 57% above the NJ average.
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
Rent Burdened
71.2%
spending 30%+ of income on rent
Severely Rent Burdened
46.7%
spending 50%+
Cost of Living Index
112.6
metro area (BEA) · US avg = 100
Homeowners
39.1%
of occupied homes are owned
Typical Home Built
1993
median year built
Vacant Homes
4.6%
of housing units
Home Value Trend
Latest: $591,411 (September 2026)
Jobs & Economyunemployment about average for NJ
Unemployment in Lakewood
Unemployment in Ocean County, which includes Lakewood, is close to the NJ average.
Unemployment rate
Lakewood: Ocean County rate (county-wide) · BLS annual average
Unemployment Rate — 10 Year Trend
Ocean County (county-wide) · Annual averages
What Lakewood Residents Do for Work · share of employed residents by industry
City residents, wherever they work
Commute20.8 min avg
How Lakewood residents get to work, and the nearest airports
In Lakewood, most residents drive alone to work (62%), and 81% get there in under 30 minutes.
How People Get to Work
Commute Time Distribution
Nearest airports · with airline service
- 34 mi
Trenton Mercer Airport (TTN)
Regional airport · few flights162k passengers boarded in 2025
- 41 mi
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Major hub23.5M passengers boarded in 2025
Straight-line distance. Size is the FAA’s hub category, based on passenger traffic: regional airports may have only a few flights a day.
Safetyviolent crime 61% below national average
Crime rates for 2025
Violent crime in Lakewood runs 61% below the national average.
Violent Crime Rate
129.2
per 100,000 residents
Below average (329 national, 2025)
Property Crime Rate
481.6
per 100,000 residents
Below average (1,552 national, 2025)
Lakewood Township Police Department
Natural DisastersThunderstorm Wind most common — 37 events in 2025
Natural hazard risk, storms and earthquakes
FEMA National Risk Index
Relatively High
96.2 / 100
Compares expected losses from natural hazards, social vulnerability and community resilience against every US county (higher = more risk).
Ocean County, county-wide · FEMA NRI December 2025
In Ocean County, which includes Lakewood, the most common type is thunderstorm wind, with 37 recorded events in 2025.
Most common events:
Storm events by year
| Year | Events | Top Type | Property Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 37 | Thunderstorm Wind | $340,000 |
| 2024 | 36 | Excessive Heat | None reported |
| 2023 | 16 | Thunderstorm Wind | None reported |
| 2022 | 30 | Winter Weather | $50,000 |
| 2021 | 36 | Thunderstorm Wind | None reported |
| 2020 | 27 | Thunderstorm Wind | $300,000 |
| 2019 | 26 | Thunderstorm Wind | None reported |
| 2018 | 20 | Winter Weather | $2,000 |
Property damage is the National Weather Service's estimate filed with each event. “None reported” means the events were logged with $0 damage; “Not estimated” means no estimate was filed. Storms covering several counties aren't counted here, since NOAA doesn't split their damage by county.
0 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5+ within 100 miles in the past year
Ocean County, county-wide
Air Quality39 median AQI — Good
Days by air quality category (2025)
Air quality in Ocean County, which includes Lakewood, is typically good — 286 good-air days per year.
Median AQI
39
Good Days
286
per year
Moderate Days
76
per year
Unhealthy Days
1
per year
Ocean County, county-wide
Climate83°F summers, 23°F winters
30-year climate averages (1991–2020) — monthly temperatures and precipitation
Lakewood has warm summers (avg high 83°F) and cold winters (avg low 23°F).
Spring (Mar–May)
61°/39°F
avg high / low
Summer (Jun–Aug)
83°/61°F
avg high / low
Fall (Sep–Nov)
67°/43°F
avg high / low
Winter (Dec–Feb)
44°/23°F
avg high / low
Annual Precipitation
51.9"
Annual Snowfall
23.7"
Hot Days/Year
24
days above 90°F
Freeze Days/Year
116
days below 32°F
Rainy Days/Year
150
Average month
Show month-by-month table ↓Hide table ↑
| Month | High | Low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 42°F | 22°F | 4.43" |
| Feb | 45°F | 22°F | 3.19" |
| Mar | 51°F | 28°F | 4.86" |
| Apr | 62°F | 38°F | 3.78" |
| May | 71°F | 49°F | 3.58" |
| Jun | 80°F | 58°F | 3.92" |
| Jul | 86°F | 64°F | 4.49" |
| Aug | 84°F | 62°F | 5.02" |
| Sep | 77°F | 53°F | 4.68" |
| Oct | 67°F | 42°F | 4.54" |
| Nov | 56°F | 32°F | 3.74" |
| Dec | 47°F | 27°F | 5.81" |
Healthcare1 hospital, avg 3.0/5
Hospitals, ratings, and health insurance in Lakewood
Lakewood has 1 hospital, averaging 3.0 out of 5 on CMS's quality rating.
Hospitals
1
within city limits
Uninsured
4.1%
of residents
Avg Hospital Rating
3.0 / 5
Monmouth Medical Center-southern Campus
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available
Nearby hospitals · within 15 miles
Ocean Medical Center
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available · 4.7 mi away · Brick
Saint Barnabas Behavioral Health Center
Psychiatric · 5.7 mi away · Toms River
Community Medical Center
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available · 8.9 mi away · Toms River
Adult Health · vs. the typical US place
Share of adults. Modeled estimates, not counted cases. “US” = the typical US place.
Medicare-certified hospitals only. Doesn’t include clinics, urgent care, or freestanding ERs.
Education9.9:1 student/teacher ratio
Schools and degree attainment in Lakewood
Lakewood's student/teacher ratio is 9.9:1 (lower than the national average of 16:1), and 31.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Public Schools
5
within city limits
Private Schools
22
within city limits
College Degree Rate
31.9%
adults 25+ with bachelor's or higher
Student/Teacher Ratio
9.9:1
National avg 16:1
Schools located within city limits (2023) — school-level metrics change slowly year to year
Colleges & Universities in Lakewood
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 4,027 students · 59% graduate · median earnings $55,459 (10 yrs after entry)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 1,195 students · in-state tuition $37,902 · 68% graduate · median earnings $56,384 (10 yrs after entry)
Private nonprofit · 2-year · 181 students · in-state tuition $8,350 · 57% graduate
Yeshiva Gedola Tiferes Yerachmiel
Private nonprofit · 2-year · 177 students · in-state tuition $9,750 · 78% graduate
Yeshiva Gedolah Shaarei Shmuel
Private nonprofit · 2-year · 150 students · in-state tuition $10,600 · 64% graduate
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 132 students · in-state tuition $8,500 · 37% graduate · median earnings $84,562 (10 yrs after entry)
Nearby Colleges (within 15 miles)
Public · 2-year · 5,424 students · in-state tuition $5,334 · 41% graduate · median earnings $49,461 (10 yrs after entry)
Degree-granting colleges with 100+ students, placed by campus location (main campuses only — branch campuses are reported under their parent school)
Parks & Recreationclosest: New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve, 24 mi
Nearby national parks, recreation areas and public libraries for Lakewood
Lakewood has 8 nearby national parks or recreation areas, closest being New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve (24 mi away).
Nearby National Parks & Recreation Areas
New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve
National Reserve
24 mi awayWashington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail
National Historic Trail
34 mi awayGateway National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
36 mi awayNational Parks of New York Harbor
National Park Site
40 mi awayStatue Of Liberty National Monument
National Monument
42 mi awayCastle Clinton National Monument
National Monument
43 mi awayEllis Island Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument
Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument
43 mi awayGovernors Island National Monument
National Monument
43 mi awayPublic Libraries in Lakewood
Lakewood Public Library
301 Lexington Avenue, Lakewood
Cities Near Lakewood
The closest cities within 60 miles
Planning a move to Lakewood?
Read our full moving guide — what it's really like to live here.
Lakewood FAQ
Is Lakewood, New Jersey affordable?⌄
Lakewood's median rent is $1,718/month, which is above the national average. The median household income is $56,968/year. Median home value is $715,500.
Is Lakewood, New Jersey safe?⌄
Lakewood's violent crime rate was 129 per 100,000 residents in 2025, which is well below the national average — one of the safer cities in the country of 329/100k that year. Property crime rate is 482 per 100,000. As with any city, crime rates vary by neighborhood.
What is the job market like in Lakewood, New Jersey?⌄
Ocean County, which includes Lakewood, has an unemployment rate of 5.3%, which is slightly above the national average of 4.3%.
What is the cost of living in Lakewood, New Jersey?⌄
The cost of living in Lakewood is primarily driven by housing. Median rent is $1,718/month and median household income is $56,968/year. The median home value is $715,500. About 71% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
How is the commute in Lakewood, New Jersey?⌄
The average commute in Lakewood is 21 minutes, which is shorter than average compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Data from the US Census Bureau, BLS, FBI, NOAA, EPA, Zillow Research and other public sources. Where our data comes from