About Lakewood

Lakewood is home to nearly 64,000 residents and has one of the most culturally diverse populations in Washington. With lush parks, lakes, thriving businesses, and plenty of opportunities we are happy to call Lakewood home.

To learn about Lakewood’s history, visit our History of Lakewood page.

Welcome to Lakewood
Statistics
Education
Fun Facts

Welcome to Lakewood

In Lakewood, history runs deep. Here the Nisqually people fished and traded. Here generals and presidents kept camp. And here soldiers trained to stem the tide of tyranny around the world. But we’re more than our past, the periods of pain and the “good old days” alike.

We honor our past but embrace a future full of opportunity. A future in which our already award-winning schools and community colleges become the pride of our city. A future in which our first responders receive the recognition they deserve for making Lakewood safe and secure. A future in which Lakewood is known for its beautiful parks and lakes, our established, tree-lined neighborhoods, our unique and affordable housing, and our re-emerging downtown. A future that releases entrepreneurs to build something special in a business climate that removes barriers to success and creates incentives for investment. A future in which servicemen and women at the fourth largest military base in the world choose Lakewood not just as a temporary home but as their forever home.

We are a Lakewood emboldened to build, beautify, and to celebrate the opportunities provided by this place we call home.

So, welcome to Lakewood, where history meets opportunity.

Lakewood Statistics

  • 63,612 residents (2020 Census)
  • 54% of Lakewood’s population is BIPOC (2020 Census, PRSC Analysis)
  • Median age: 36.6
  • 26,453 households
  • Average household income: $63,638
  • 34,096 jobs (2018 data)
  • 5,380 doing business in Lakewood
  • Lakewood Industrial Park is fourth-largest private, for-profit employer in Pierce County and third-largest industrial business park in Washington.
  • Home to one of the most robust International Districts in Pierce County, influenced by Korean, Vietnamese, Latino and other cultures.
  • Named one of the nation’s “One Hundred Best Communities for Young People”  by America’s Promise Alliance six years in a row.

Education

Primary and Post-Secondary Schools

Lakewood Living:

  • Lakewood is home to 14 parks consisting of more than 540 acres.
  • There are seven lakes totaling nearly two miles of water area. They are great for water sports like skiing, rowing, and fishing.
  • Love to golf? Lakewood has three golf courses, including Oakbrook, Tacoma Country & Golf, and American Lake Veterans Golf Course. We are also minutes away from Chambers Bay, home of the 2015 U.S. Open.
  • Our 360-acre Fort Steilacoom Park is the crown jewel of Lakewood. This park draws over 1 million visitors each year from across the region.
  • Historic Lakewold Gardens offers a glimpse at Lakewood’s past with its serene gardens and historic building. This is the perfect space to hold your special event.
  • Nestled along the shores of American Lake sits 500-year-old Thornewood Castle. The owner had the Tudor-Gothic-Style mansion dismantled in England, and in 1907 it was reconstructed in Lakewood. Thornewood served as the set for Stephen King’s “Rose Red“, Ridley Pearson’s “The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer” and Oscar-winner “There Will Be Blood“.
  • Lakewood Towne Center is home to the Lakewood Playhouse which celebrated its 80th season in 2019 and is still going strong.

Fun Facts About Lakewood

  • In its early years, Lakewood was known as the “playground” for the region’s elite. They would come from Seattle on weekends to enjoy the lakes, golf courses, and other amenities. This included the Weyerhauser family (yes, of forestry fame) whose home was on Gravelly Lake.
  • Lakewood’s first mayor, Mayor William “Bill” Harrison, was also commanding general of the 7th Infantry Division, I Corps at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. He helped lead the city’s incorporation effort that lead to cityhood in 1996. Two buildings hold his name to honor the influence and support he has given the community: Harrison Hall which serves as the 7th Infantry Division’s headquarters on JBLM and Harrison Preparatory School, which is one of the Clover Park School District’s combined elementary and secondary schools.

Lakewood is the hometown of:

  • Kate Starbird, 1997 James Naismith National Player of the Year for Stanford, former WNBA star.
  • Jermaine Kearse, wide receiver for Super Bowl XLVIII Champion Seattle Seahawks.
  • Michael Wansley, a.k.a., “Wanz,” Grammy Award-winning singer.
  • J-Nai Bridges, two-time Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Opera Singer.

Lakewood is the gateway to: