Growth of the Lakewood orthodox Jewish community

Asbury Park Press- In 2000, talk of nearly quadrupling Lakewood's population to 220,000 people in the span of just three decades seemed to some a fanciful notion.

Today, halfway to 2030, it's quickly becoming a reality.

A new city is rising in the heart of Ocean County, one unlike any other in New Jersey.

Lakewood's breathless transformation, fueled by a steady influx of mostly young Orthodox Jewish families and a staggering 4,000 births per year — more than occur on an annual basis in nine of the state's 21 counties — is reshaping the region's economy and political landscape.

The faster the town grows, however, the greater the strain on the area's roads and utility infrastructure, which are already groaning under an increasingly heavy load. read more HERE