Lakewood, WA

Washington · Metropolitan Area

Lakewood is a mid-size city in Washington with a population of 63,034. Residents earn $70,524 per year, which is 6% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
63,034 Population 3,695/sq mi density
$70,524 Median Income $40,711 per capita
$420,500 Home Value $510,470 Zillow
$1,460 Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature
641 Violent Crime/100K 4,156 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$70,524 median income, 3.2% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.3 / 5.0
$420,500 home value, $1,460/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
641 violent crimes/100K (69% above avg)
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $70,524
6% lower than US avg
Home Value $420,500
49% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 641/100K
69% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 22.6%
33% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,460
26% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.6%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.2%
11% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.2%
34% lower than US avg

How Lakewood Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population63,034
Median Age36.3 yrs
Density3,695/mi²
Male / Female49% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 49%

Economy

A
Median Income$70,524
Per Capita$40,711
Unemployment3.2%
Poverty8.2%
County GDP$64,941M
Commute29 min

Housing

B
Home Value$420,500
Rent$1,460
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$510,470

Crime

F
Violent641/100K
Property4,156/100K
Murder1.7/100K
Assault420/100K
Burglary1,086/100K

Health

Obesity39.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.5%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI28 (Good)
Rain42.0 in/yr
Elevation259 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.6%
High School+87.1%
School Score5.36

Community

2024 VoteR 43% / D 54%
Commute29 min
EV Stations6
Libraries29

Is Lakewood a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lakewood receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, high housing costs, high obesity rates. Lakewood has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lakewood is $70,524, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.2%, indicating a healthy job market. 8.2% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lakewood is $420,500, 49% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,460 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 6x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 641 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,156 per 100,000, 112% above the national average.

Education

22.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Lakewood experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 42.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Lakewood has a population of 63,034 with a density of 3,695 people per square mile. The median age is 36.3 years, 7% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (48.8%), with 3.3% Hispanic, 13.9% Black.

Population

63,034
Total Population
3,695
People / sq mi
36.3yrs
Median Age
7% below US avg
17.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.5%
Female 51.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Lakewood vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only76.6%
2% below US avg
Spanish23.4%
75% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Lakewood vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lakewood is $70,524, which is 6% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Lakewood vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$70,524
6% below US avg
Per Capita Income$40,711
Avg Weekly Wage$1,354
IRS Avg AGI$90,111

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.2%
11% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.2%
34% below US avg
Establishments (County)20,820
County GDP$64,941M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,771
Healthcare2,355
Retail2,124
Manufacturing537

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,011
100% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.67%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.8 min
Work from Home7.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Lakewood is $420,500, 49% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,460 (26% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $510,470.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$420,500
49% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$510,470
Median List Price$589,950

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$589,950
$/Sq Ft$339
Homes Sold37
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops34.9%
Inventory86

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,460
26% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,734

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,082
1 Bedroom$1,180
2 Bedrooms$1,472
3 Bedrooms$2,003
4 Bedrooms$2,351

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied44.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,011
100% above US avg
Effective Rate1.67%
In Lakewood, 39.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.5% report depression. 22.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Lakewood vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.6%
23% above US avg
Diabetes11.9%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure33.3%
Asthma11.4%
COPD5.8%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.3%
Physical Inactivity22.8%
Depression26.5%
Mental Distress19.8%
Physical Distress15.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.8%
Checkup Rate69.5%
Premature Death7,855/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access81.6%
Healthcare Facilities2,355
Lakewood has a violent crime rate of 641 per 100,000 residents, 69% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,156 per 100,000 (112% above US avg). The murder rate is 1.7 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Lakewood vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent640.7/100K
69% above US avg
Murder1.7/100K
73% below US avg
Rape70.8/100K
Robbery148.4/100K
Assault419.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,155.9/100K
112% above US avg
Burglary1,085.8/100K
Theft2,704.3/100K
Vehicle Theft365.9/100K
Arson25.3/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)86
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Lakewood has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation is 42.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Temperature

41°F Jan (5°C) 65°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average51.9°F
4% below US avg
January Average41°F (5°C)
July Average65°F (18°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall42.0 inches
11% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation259 ft (79 m)
Area17.1 sq mi (44.2 km²)
Population Density3,695/sq mi
Coordinates47.1641°N, 122.5281°W
County FIPS53053
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 22.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (33% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 10.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 43.1%
D 53.9%

Winner: Democrat by 10.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+22.6%
33% below US avg
High School+87.1%
School Test Score5.36
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density3,695/sq mi
Total Area17.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations6
Alt Fuel Stations6
Public Libraries29
Healthcare Facilities2,355
Restaurants1,771
Retail Stores2,124

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)86
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.8 min
Work from Home7.1%

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