Payton Guion

Asbury Park Press

LAKEWOOD - After more than a decade of explosive growth, Lakewood Township has officially surpassed 100,000 residents.

According to the most recent estimates from the Census Bureau, Lakewood grew to 100,758 people in July 2016, up from 99,231 the year before. In adding 1,527 people, Lakewood was the fastest-growing municipality in New Jersey over that time.

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The state as a whole added 9,048 people between July 2015 and July 2016, bringing its total population to 8.9 million. Lakewood accounted for 16.9 percent of the state's total population growth in that period.

Neighboring Toms River saw rapid growth too, adding just under a thousand new residents in that year, putting it at No. 3 statewide.

Crossing the 100,000-resident threshold is another sign of Lakewood's rapid development – the township had around 60,000 people counted in the 2000 Census. But it's also likely to ratchet up opposition from a sizable group in town concerned that Lakewood can't handle the growth.

Several candidates running for township council have taken a stance in opposition of the rapid development.

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"I think the development has been a little too quick," said Mayor Ray Coles, who is running for reelection. "I think that we need to take a breath."

It appears unlikely Lakewood's population growth will stop anytime soon. In 2013, township officials projected that Lakewood would have 230,000 people by 2030, making it the third biggest city in New Jersey. Watch the videos at the top of this story to see more about Lakewood's growth.

Last year, Lakewood had more residential construction approved than any place in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Only Jersey City and Fort Lee issued more residential building permits than Lakewood.

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Payton Guion: 732-643-4245; pguion@app.com

Below are the five fastest-growing municipalities in New Jersey

Municipality 2015 pop. 2016 pop. Growth

Lakewood Township 99,231 100,758 1,527

Weehawken Township 14,016 15,138 1,122

Toms River Township 90,847 91,837 990

Borough of Fort Lee 36,619 37,577 958

Princeton 30,333 31,249 916

New Jersey 8,935,421 8,944,469 9,048