New figures obtained by TLS from the U.S. Census Bureau show that internet access in Lakewood trails significantly behind the rest of New Jersey.

According to the latest Census data, approximately 70% of households in Lakewood reported having an internet subscription, compared with roughly 93% of households statewide.

The figures place Lakewood well below the New Jersey, and comes exactly 14 years after the “internet Asifa” at Citi Field.

Although towns with low internet access is usually due to very low income, in Lakewood, the below average number is likely mostly due to the many people who decline to have internet access in their homes for moral reasons.

The Census Bureau data does not distinguish between households that lack access because of affordability or infrastructure challenges and those that choose not to subscribe.

The newly released statistics come as Lakewood continues to rank among New Jersey’s fastest-growing municipalities, with population gains outpacing most other communities in the state.