Find Career Counselors Serving
Lakewood, WA

Frequently asked questions

Lakewood, WA

Lakewood is a city in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 63,612 at the 2020 census.

Lakewood was officially incorporated as a city on February 28, 1996, on the same day as Edgewood. It immediately became the second-largest city in Pierce County and among the largest in the state. Three previous attempts to incorporate as a city had been rejected by voters in 1971, 1990, and 1994 before it was approved by a 20-point margin on March 14, 1995, within a smaller area. Historical names include Tacoma/Lakewood Center and Lakes District (this name was used by the U.S. Census in the 1970 and 1980 Census). Lakewood is home to the Clover Park School District, the Lakewood Water District, Fort Steilacoom Park, and Western State Hospital, a regional state psychiatric hospital. Thornewood Castle was built in the vicinity of Tacoma, which is now Lakewood.

A small community near Arlington in Snohomish County with the name Lakewood had used the name for their post office since 1909, which led to confusion between the two areas. The United States Postal Service suggested that the new city be renamed due to frequent mixups in mail delivery that required the two post offices to forward deliveries with a one-day delay. The Snohomish County post office was renamed North Lakewood in 1998 by the Postal Service due to the other community's unincorporated status.

Lakewood is located at 47°10′N 122°32′W (47.164, −122.526). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.95 square miles (49.08 km²), of which, 17.17 square miles (44.47 km²) is land and 1.78 square miles (4.61 km²) is water.

There are several lakes within the city limits; the largest in the area are American Lake, Lake Steilacoom, Gravelly Lake, Lake Louise, and Waughop Lake. The Waughop Lake is incorporated into the aforementioned Fort Steilacoom Park. Several small creeks flow through Lakewood, some of which drain into nearby Puget Sound. The largest of these, Chambers Creek, flows from Lake Steilacoom to Chambers Bay between nearby University Place and Steilacoom.

The western terminus of State Route 512 is in Lakewood, at its intersection with Interstate 5. The proposed State Route 704 would be the only other state highway entering the city.

Health and wellness take center stage in Lakewood's community, with various facilities and initiatives supporting residents' well-being. The Lakewood Family YMCA serves as a hub for fitness and community engagement, providing fitness classes, sports programs, and wellness activities. Lakewood's commitment to promoting an active lifestyle is evident in its numerous parks and green spaces, including the expansive Fort Steilacoom Park and the serene waters of American Lake, offering opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Start with a rejuvenating yoga session at Tuladhara Yoga, which offers classes for all levels. St. Clare Hospital offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Anytime Fitness offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. For a more intense workout, visit Crunch Fitness in Lakewood, which provides state-of-the-art equipment and a variety of fitness classes. Another excellent fitness facility is Studio Fitness, known for its personalized training programs.

The top sites in Lakewood, WA are American Lake, Lakewold Gardens, Pierce College Science Dome, and Lakewood Towne Center.

ZIP code: 98499. Population: 62,572 (2022). Area code: 253. Elevation: 262 ft(80 m). Area: 18.95 square miles (49.08 km²).

FAQs

Is Lakewood, Washington a nice place to live?

True to its name, Lakewood has many homes, condos, and apartments on several lakes as well as in a variety of neighborhoods with winding streets. It’s a great place to live in the summer with boating, swimming, and lakefront parks! Many of the homes were built in the 1950s and 60s, though there are also many neighborhoods of newer homes as well. As its name suggests, there are plenty of lakes and woods, but you can also find one of the region’s best shopping centers, with one of the last remaining large chain bookstores. There is easy access to I-5 and Lakewood sits near JBLM.

What is Lakewood WA known for?

Lakewood is the second-largest city in Pierce County and is home to the Clover Park School District, the Lakewood Water District, Fort Steilacoom Park, and Western State Hospital, a regional state psychiatric hospital. Thornewood Castle was built in the vicinity of Tacoma, which is now Lakewood. There are several lakes within the city limits; the largest in the area are American Lake, Lake Steilacoom, Gravelly Lake, Lake Louise, and Waughop Lake. 

Is Lakewood WA expensive to live in?

Lakewood, California's cost of living is 50% higher than the national average. Lakewood's housing expenses are 128% higher than the national average and the utility prices are 11% higher than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 28% higher than the national average. Healthcare in Lakewood is 12% higher than the national average.

Sources

Wikipedia 

City of Lakewood

Move to Tacoma

Payscale

American Lake

Lakewold Gardens 

Pierce College Science Dome 

Lakewood Towne Center

Lakewood Family YMCA

Fort Steilacoom Park

St. Clare Hospital

Tuladhara Yoga

Anytime Fitness

Crunch Fitness

Studio Fitness

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.