New data has confirmed what residents navigating Route 9 may have long suspected: Lakewood is officially home to the most populated ZIP code in the United States.
According to the latest rankings based on U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates, the 08701 ZIP code has secured the #1 spot nationwide, with more than 140,000 residents.
For comparison, the #2 spot on the list belongs to 92336 (Fontana, CA) with 103,393 residents—leaving Lakewood with a “lead” of tens of thousands more people over its closest “competitor.”
The Top 5 Most Populated ZIP Codes in the U.S.
- 08701 (Lakewood, NJ): 136,784
- 92336 (Fontana, CA): 103,393
- 90650 (Norwalk, CA): 100,808
- 94565 (Pittsburg, CA): 99,933
- 77573 (League City, TX): 97,871
While Lakewood’s 08701 ZIP code is the most populous in the nation, the town’s overall density tells a unique story when compared to New Jersey’s traditional urban giants.
Historically, Newark and Jersey City have traded blows for the title of the state’s most populous city, with both hovering around 300,000 to 317,000 residents. While Lakewood’s total township population is roughly half that of Newark, its density is rapidly catching up to major urban centers.
Currently, Lakewood has a density of approximately 9,500 to 9,800 people per square mile. While this is still lower than the “hyper-density” of Jersey City (over 17,000/sq mi) or Newark (over 12,000/sq mi), it far exceeds the New Jersey state average of 1,263 people per square mile.
Unlike Newark or Jersey City, which are designed as high-rise urban grids, Lakewood is a township transitioning from a suburban past. This shift has created a unique infrastructure strain. The data suggests that Lakewood is not just growing, but accelerating—while other high-population ZIP codes like 90650 (Norwalk, CA) saw their populations fall slightly, Lakewood’s growth remains persistent.
Experts note that these numbers are a double-edged sword. A population of 136,000 in a single ZIP code provides a massive consumer base for local retail and services. However, it also demands significant increases in public services, school funding, and traffic management.