Population Shrinks in Matawan and Aberdeen During Daytime Hours

By Elaine Piniat, elaine.piniat@patch.com

A number of Monmouth County towns experience a reduction in population during the daytime hours, including Matawan and Aberdeen, according to a report by NJSpotlight.

For the first time since 2000, the U.S. Census Bureau released daytime population estimates in an effort to help local planning efforts for transportation, land use and emergencies, NJSpotlight reported. The data provides estimates for 2005 through 2010.

While towns such as Paramus have a growing population during the daytime hours due to the presence of three large malls, a wealth of office buildings and three major highways, the majority of New Jersey towns are bedroom communities, NJSpotlight found.

At least a third of the population clears out during the day in 27 municipalities throughout the state as people work outside of their hometown, NJSpotlight reported.

In Matawan, the resident population is 8,786. However, during the daytime, it’s 7,395, a 15.8 percent decrease. Aberdeen Township sees an 33.5 percent decrease in its population, from 18,106 residents to 12,035 during the daytime.

Populations more than double during the day in 15 communities located mostly in north and central Jersey.

In Freehold Township, the daytime population increases by 6.2 percent. With a resident population of 35,430, the population is bumped to 37,625 during the day.

Holmdel, Oceanport, Tinton Falls, Eatontown, Red Bank and a few others also see increases in daytime populations. Shrewsbury actually sees a 101.7 percent bump.

Still, those communities are seeing a worker influx with the majority of residents employed outside its borders. In Shrewsbury, 19.1 percent of the resident population works in the town. In Freehold, 17.8 percent of the resident population works in the township.