As New Jerseyans sit down to fill out their Census forms, the bureau estimates there are slightly more of them for the task at hand. In its final population estimates before the new data arrives, the bureau showed that even during the depths of the economic slowdown, the state grew slightly. In the 12 months ending July 1, 2009, New Jersey added 44,401 residents, pushing the total just over 8.7 million. Since the 2000 Census, the state’s population rose by 293,389, according to the new projections. But counties have shared unequally, and some patterns have changed since the onset of the Great Recession in 2007.

Ocean County led the way, adding almost 63,000 people, a 12.3 percent increase, according to the estimates. Gloucester County growth rate was even higher, 13.8 percent, although in raw numbers that amounted to about 35,000 new residents. Somerset County gained almost 30,000, a 9.9 percent rate.

In contrast, Essex County lost about 24,000 during the decade. Hudson was down an estimated 8,000. Cape May dropped more than 6,000, a roughly 6 percent decline.

For some of these places, though, change is not just in the air but on the ground. Reversing its losing trend despite the hard times, the latest figures show Hudson County has added about 8,500 inhabitants since July 2007.

The new numbers also find Essex starting to creep upward. Bergen County, whose population had been flat since 2000, just jumped by more than 5,000. Union County, which had slipped slightly, suddenly grew by 4,600 in 2009. Full report in Njnewsroom,