While the U.S. Census performs an official head count of people in the United States every 10 years, it also performs annual estimates about the growth in population in towns and cities across the country.
In New Jersey, the Census Bureau estimates that Lakewood’s population grew more than any other in the past year – up 2,911 residents to 138,070.
Right behind Lakewood is Toms River, which gained an estimated 1,851 residents for a total of 97,304. Another local town, Brick, is in third place, having gained an estimated 1,299 residents for a total of 74,903 residents.
What about Jackson? That Township is in 6th place, having grown by 1,067 residents to 59,614, according to the Census Bureau.
A fourth Ocean County town, Stafford, had the 9th-largest population gain, with an increase of 876 residents to 29,948.
