Ocean County · Lake Carasaljo · Route 9 · Georgian Court · ShoreTown
Lakewood Township
Lakewood is Ocean County's largest municipality by population and one of New Jersey's fastest-growing communities, combining a dense downtown, expanding residential neighborhoods, major educational institutions, extensive religious and community organizations, industrial and office employment, parks and lakes, and professional baseball.
Its identity is unusually layered: Lakewood was once a nationally known winter resort and health destination, later became a major industrial and educational center, and today is home to one of the country's largest Orthodox Jewish communities alongside long-established neighborhoods and a highly diverse local economy.
Lake Shenandoah · Lakewood, NJ
Lakewood at a Glance
143,765U.S. Census Bureau population estimate for July 1, 2025
24.7 sq. mi.approximately 24.7 square miles of land
1893year Lakewood Township was created as a municipality
49.8%of residents are under age 18 in the latest Census QuickFacts estimate
Lakewood grew from 92,843 residents in the 2010 Census to 135,158 in 2020, and the Census Bureau estimates 143,765 residents as of July 1, 2025. That rapid growth shapes nearly every aspect of township life, from schools and housing to transportation, shopping, public services and development.
Lakewood is not a small suburban town: its population, institutions, road traffic, housing demand, school system and business base operate at a scale more comparable to a small city, even though it remains governed as a New Jersey township.
Lake Carasaljo, Ocean County Park & Lake Shenandoah
Lakewood's lakes and parks provide some of the township's strongest visual identity and important recreation space within a very densely developed community.
Lake CarasaljoCentral Lakewood's signature lake sits within 176 acres of parkland. Walking, running, biking, fishing, picnicking and seasonal recreation take place around the lake and its pathways.
Ocean County Park659 Ocean Avenue. The 323-acre county park occupies part of John D. Rockefeller's former estate and includes mature specimen trees, fields, trails, playgrounds, recreation areas and an 18-hole disc golf course.
Lake Shenandoah County Park660 Ocean Avenue and 300 New Hampshire Avenue. A 143-acre park centered on a 48-acre lake with fishing piers, bike trail, picnic area, playground, sports fields and small-boat access.
Pine Park500 Country Club Drive. Large township park with playgrounds, picnic areas, ball fields and court recreation on land once associated with the George Jay Gould estate.
John F. Patrick Sports ComplexVine Street complex with multiple baseball and soccer fields, lighting, parking, restrooms and concessions.
Metedeconk River Conservation Area318-acre county conservation area shared with Brick Township, providing natural habitat and canoe access during suitable tides.
Current Lake Shenandoah notice: Ocean County currently reports the park's bridge/spillway closed until further notice, with no vehicle, bicycle or pedestrian access across that structure. Fishing piers remain open and different park areas must be accessed from Route 88 or New Hampshire Avenue.
Jersey Shore BlueClaws & ShoreTown Ballpark
Professional baseball has been part of Lakewood since 2001. The Jersey Shore BlueClaws, the Philadelphia Phillies' High-A affiliate, play at ShoreTown Ballpark, 2 Stadium Way.
25th Anniversary SeasonThe BlueClaws are celebrating their 25th anniversary season in 2026.
2026 Home ScheduleThe home season opened April 7 and runs through August 30, with the final 2026 home series against Wilmington.
More Than BaseballShoreTown Ballpark hosts fireworks, theme nights, concerts, community events, group outings and family entertainment throughout the season.
LocationThe stadium sits near Cedar Bridge Avenue and New Hampshire Avenue with convenient access from Route 70, Route 9 and the Garden State Parkway.
Education: Public Schools, Universities & Yeshivas
Education is one of Lakewood's defining institutions. The township contains a public school district, a very large network of nonpublic religious schools, two major institutions of higher education and extensive adult and specialized education.
Lakewood School District
Clifton Avenue School625 Clifton Avenue
732-905-3650
732-905-3650
Oak Street School75 Oak Street
732-905-3670
732-905-3670
Spruce Street School90 Spruce Street
732-905-3660
732-905-3660
Lakewood Middle School755 Somerset Avenue
732-905-3600
732-905-3600
Lakewood High School855 Somerset Avenue
732-905-3500
732-905-3500
Lakewood Adult High School855 Somerset Avenue
732-364-2400
732-364-2400
Higher Education & Religious Education
Georgian Court University900 Lakewood Avenue. Founded in 1908 by the Sisters of Mercy and located on the former George Jay Gould estate. The 114-acre campus is a National Historic Landmark and includes formal gardens and the Sister Mary Grace Burns Arboretum.
Beth Medrash GovohaOne of Lakewood's most influential institutions and a major center of advanced Torah study. BMG currently reports more than 9,000 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs.
Extensive Nonpublic School NetworkLakewood contains numerous yeshivas, girls' schools, elementary schools, high schools, special-education programs and other private institutions serving the township's large school-age population.
Education & Community GrowthWith nearly half of Lakewood's population under age 18, school transportation, facilities, enrollment and education policy are central local issues.
Lakewood Township Government
Lakewood uses the Township Committee form of government. The five-member committee selects a mayor and deputy mayor from among its members, while a municipal manager oversees day-to-day operations.
Municipal Building231 Third Street
Lakewood, NJ 08701
732-364-2500
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Lakewood, NJ 08701
732-364-2500
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
MayorRaymond G. Coles
Deputy MayorMenashe Miller
Township CommitteeAlbert Akerman · Deborah Fuentes · Meir Lichtenstein
Lakewood PoliceMunicipal law-enforcement services. Call 911 for emergencies.
Public WorksSanitation, recycling, roads, bulk pickup and other municipal operations.
Planning & ZoningLakewood's rapid development makes land-use approvals, zoning, redevelopment and transportation planning especially important municipal functions.
Boards & CommissionsPlanning, zoning, development, industrial, housing, heritage, veterans and other advisory bodies support township government.
Downtown, Commerce & Employment
Lakewood has one of Ocean County's largest and most varied commercial economies. Downtown, Route 9, Cedar Bridge Avenue, County Line Road, New Hampshire Avenue, Airport Road and the township's industrial parks each serve different parts of the local economy.
Downtown LakewoodClifton Avenue and surrounding streets form a dense traditional downtown with specialty retail, professional offices, restaurants, religious/community services and pedestrian activity.
Route 9 / River & Madison AvenuesOne of the township's most heavily traveled retail and service corridors, connecting Lakewood with Toms River and Howell.
Cedar Bridge / New HampshireRetail, medical, entertainment, baseball, distribution and service businesses cluster around this important eastern corridor.
Industrial ParksLakewood's industrial and office parks support manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, professional services, technology and a significant regional employment base.
HealthcareMedical offices, urgent care, specialty practices, rehabilitation, pharmacies and nearby hospital systems make healthcare a major local and regional employment sector.
Kosher EconomyLakewood's large Orthodox Jewish population supports an extensive kosher restaurant, grocery, catering, retail and service economy that draws customers from well beyond the township.
History of Lakewood
Lakewood has repeatedly reinvented itself—from iron-working settlement to railroad town, elite winter resort, poultry center, industrial community and major educational and population center.
Late 1700s-Early 1800sEarly settlement centered around sawmills, ironstone and the South Branch of the Metedeconk River.
Bergen Iron Works & BricksburgJoseph W. Brick developed the local iron industry, and the settlement became known first as Bergen Iron Works and later Bricksburg.
1880The village officially adopted the name Lakewood and increasingly marketed itself as a health and winter resort in the pines.
1890s Resort EraGrand hotels and estates attracted wealthy families and national figures. John D. Rockefeller's estate later became Ocean County Park, while George Jay Gould's estate became Georgian Court University.
March 23, 1893Lakewood Township was created and incorporated by the State Legislature from territory that had been part of Brick Township.
1943Rabbi Aharon Kotler established Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, beginning a transformation that would make the township a major center of Orthodox Jewish religious life and education.
Late 20th CenturyIndustrial development, downtown redevelopment, retirement communities and continued residential growth reshaped the township.
2001-PresentProfessional baseball arrived with the BlueClaws, while population and housing growth accelerated dramatically into the 2020s.
Arts, Culture & Historic Places
Strand TheaterHistoric performing-arts venue at 400 Clifton Avenue and one of downtown Lakewood's most recognizable cultural landmarks.
Georgian Court CampusThe former Gould estate is a National Historic Landmark with formal gardens, historic architecture and a long educational history.
Lakewood HeritageLocal historical organizations preserve the township's resort, railroad, industrial, religious and community history.
Religious & Cultural InstitutionsSynagogues, churches, schools, charitable organizations and community centers form a major part of Lakewood's social and cultural landscape.
Sports & Recreation
BaseballJersey Shore BlueClaws at ShoreTown Ballpark plus township and youth baseball fields.
Soccer & Field SportsTownship and county complexes provide extensive soccer and multi-sport facilities.
Fishing & Small BoatsLake Carasaljo and Lake Shenandoah support freshwater fishing and limited non-motorized or electric-motor boating under current park rules.
Disc GolfOcean County Park features an 18-hole disc golf course through fields and wooded parkland.
GolfLakewood's golf history includes Eagle Ridge Golf Club and golf-oriented adult communities.
Walking & BikingLake Carasaljo pathways, Lake Shenandoah trails and county park routes provide local walking and cycling opportunities.
2026 Highlights
America 250 CelebrationLakewood marked America's 250th anniversary in 2026 with a drones-and-fireworks celebration at Lake Carasaljo.
BlueClaws 25th AnniversaryThe Jersey Shore BlueClaws are celebrating their 25th season in Lakewood throughout 2026.
Summer Concert SeriesShoreTown Ballpark's 2026 summer concert series included themed music nights alongside BlueClaws home games.
Georgian Court EventsThe university maintains a year-round calendar of academic, athletic, cultural and public programs.
Current schedules: Events, park conditions, game times and public programs can change. Confirm details with the township, county park system, university or event organizer before making a special trip.
Explore More of Lakewood
Business & ShoppingDowntown, Route 9, retail centers, healthcare, industrial businesses, professional services, home services and more.
Food & DrinkOne of New Jersey's most distinctive kosher dining markets plus pizza, bakeries, cafés, international food, markets and other local dining.
Real EstateHousing market conditions, new development, taxes, zoning, multifamily housing, adult communities, rentals and buyer due diligence.
Visiting & LodgingBlueClaws, parks, Georgian Court, Lake Carasaljo, local hotels, transportation and visitor planning.
ClassifiedsCommunity marketplace categories, yard sales, announcements, lost & found and local notices.
Jobs & EmploymentEducation, healthcare, government, industrial parks, retail, food service, professional services and regional employment resources.
Official & Community Resources
Lakewood TownshipGovernment, departments, public notices, meetings, permits, parks and resident services.
Lakewood School DistrictSchools, calendars, district information, Board of Education and employment.
Lakewood Parks & LakesOfficial township information for Lake Carasaljo, Pine Park, sports complexes and neighborhood recreation.
Ocean County ParksCurrent information for Ocean County Park, Lake Shenandoah and other regional parks.
Jersey Shore BlueClawsCurrent schedule, ShoreTown Ballpark information and team news.
Georgian Court UniversityAdmissions, academics, campus events and university information.
Beth Medrash GovohaOfficial institution information and educational resources.
U.S. Census — LakewoodCurrent population, housing and demographic statistics.
Nearby Communities
Brick TownshipEast of Lakewood with major retail, healthcare, parks and access toward Barnegat Bay.
Howell TownshipNorth of Lakewood in Monmouth County with extensive Route 9 shopping and residential communities.
Jackson TownshipWest of Lakewood with Six Flags, outlet shopping, large parks and extensive residential areas.
Toms RiverSouth and southeast of Lakewood with county government, healthcare, shopping, dining and shore access.
Promote Your Lakewood Business
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