Lakewood is a city in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 58,163 at the 2010 census. Take a look below for 20 fascinating and interesting facts about Lakewood, Washington, United States.
1. Lakewood was officially incorporated on February 28, 1996.
2. Historical names include Tacoma/Lakewood Center and Lakes District (this name was used by the U.S. Census in the 1970 and 1980 Census).
3. 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.
4. Thornewood Castle was built in the vicinity of Tacoma in the area that is now Lakewood.
5. Lakewood is located at 47°10′N 122°32′W (47.164, -122.526).
6. 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.
7. There are several lakes within the city limits; the largest in area are American Lake, Lake Steilacoom, Gravelly Lake, Lake Louise, and Waughop Lake. A number of small creeks flow through Lakewood, some of which drain into nearby Puget Sound.
8. The largest of these, Chambers Creek, flows from Lake Steilacoom to Chambers Bay between nearby University Place and Steilacoom.
9. 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.
10. As of the census of 2010, there were 58,163 people, 24,069 households, and 14,412 families living in the city.
11. The population density was 3,387.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,307.9/km2).
12. There were 26,548 housing units at an average density of 1,546.2 per square mile (597.0/km2).
13. The racial makeup of the city was 59.3% White, 11.8% African American, 1.3% Native American, 9.0% Asian, 2.6% Pacific Islander, 7.3% from other races, and 8.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.3% of the population.
14. There were 24,069 households, of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.3% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.1% were non-families.
15. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.98.
16. The median age in the city was 36.6 years. 22.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.4% were from 25 to 44; 26.5% were from 45 to 64; and 13.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.
17. The City of Lakewood contracted with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office for police services between 1996 and 2004. According to the City of Lakewood website, the Lakewood Police Department started independent police and patrol operations on November 1, 2004.
18. The Clover Park School District operates all public schools within Lakewood. Private schools include St Frances Cabrini School and St Mary’s Christian School.
19. Lakewood is also home to Pierce College Fort Steilacoom and Clover Park Technical College.
20. Lakewood’s economy is highly dependent upon on the military bases in the area. It also boasts one of the few true International Districts in the South Sound along South Tacoma Way and Pacific Highway, with Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Latino and other influences (the population of Lakewood’s Tillicum neighborhood is nearly half non-English speaking).
