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Lakewood, CA

Frequently asked questions

Lakewood, CA

Lakewood is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 80,048 at the 2010 census. It is bordered by Long Beach on the west and south, Bellflower on the north, Cerritos on the northeast, Cypress on the east, and Hawaiian Gardens on the southeast. Major thoroughfares include Lakewood (SR 19), Bellflower, and Del Amo Boulevards, and Carson and South Streets. The San Gabriel River Freeway (I-605) runs through the city's eastern regions.

Lakewood is a post-World War II planned community. Developers Louis Boyar, Mark Taper, and Ben Weingart are credited with "altering forever the map of Southern California." Begun in late 1949, the completion of the developers' plan in 1953 helped in the transformation of mass-produced housing from its early phases in the 1930s and 1940s to the reality of the postwar 1950s.

WWII veterans could get home loans with no down payment and a 30-year mortgage at only 4 percent interest. On the first day of sales, March 24, 1950, an estimated 30,000 people lined up to walk through a row of seven model houses. By the end of April, more than 200,000 people had flocked to the Lakewood Park sales office and more than 1,000 families had purchased homes (30 per day on average). On one occasion, 107 homes were sold in just one hour. The monthly cost was $44 to $56, including principal, interest, and insurance.

The building of Lakewood broke records. Empty fields became 17,500 houses in less than three years. A new house was completed every 7 minutes, 40 to 60 houses per day, with a record 110 completed in a single day.

Lakewood's primary thoroughfares are mostly boulevards with landscaped medians, with frontage roads on either side in residential districts. Unlike in most similar configurations, however, access to the main road from the frontage road is only possible from infrequently spaced collector streets. This arrangement, hailed by urban planners of the day, is a compromise between the traditional urban grid and the arrangement of winding "drives" and cul-de-sacs that dominate contemporary suburban and exurban design.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.5 square miles (25 km2). 9.4 square miles (24 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) of it (0.54%) is water. 

Lakewood focuses on health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by Lakewood’s Recreation and Community Services Department. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Orangetheory, UFC Gym, and Crunch Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Lakewood, such as the San Gabriel River Parks and Trails Lakewood and the Rynerson Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Lakewood, CA are Mayfair Park, Del Valle Park, and Monte Verde Park.

Population: 80,048 (2010). ZIP Code: 90712. Area code: 562. Elevation: 46 ft (14 m). Area: 9.5 square miles (25 km2).
 

FAQs

What is Lakewood, CA famous for?

Lakewood was the first city in the nation to contract for all of its municipal services when it was incorporated as a municipality in 1954, making it the nation's first "contract city." Many other Los Angeles suburbs, such as Cerritos, Bellflower, Walnut, and Diamond Bar, have adopted the so-called "Lakewood Plan." About half the cities in Los Angeles County contract for law enforcement from Los Angeles County through the County Sheriff's Department.

Is Lakewood, CA expensive to live in?

The median home price in Lakewood is $867,500 with a median price per sqft of $574. The cost of living index for housing estimates the cost of housing in Lakewood to be 235.2% of the national average. This makes it one of the most expensive cities in the US.

Is Lakewood, CA a good place to live?

Living in Lakewood offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Lakewood, there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many young professionals live in Lakewood and residents tend to be liberal. The public schools in Lakewood are above average.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Lakewood

Lakewood’s Recreation and Community Services Department

Orangetheory

UFC Gym 

Crunch Fitness

San Gabriel River Parks and Trails Lakewood 

Rynerson Park

Mayfair Park

Del Valle Park

Monte Verde Park

Zero Down

Niche

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