City · Washington
Lacey, Washington
Lacey, city, in Thurston County, Washington. Lacey had 58,833 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.4% from the Bureau's April 2020 estimates base of 56,341; the 2020 Census counted 53,526 on the place as it was defined then and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 57,737 (±71). GEOID 5336745.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
58,833
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 53,526 · ACS 2020-2024: 57,737 ±71
Median household income
$90,625
±$5,956 (90% margin)
Washington: $98,141
Median home value
$457,100
±$7,616 (90% margin)
Washington: $564,600
Median gross rent
$1,870
±$51 (90% margin)
Washington: $1,760
Where is Lacey and what county is it in?
Lacey is a city in Thurston County, Washington. It covers 18.6 square miles of land, 2,883 residents per square mile in 2020.
Lacey is in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Lacey, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 58,833 people lived in Lacey on July 1, 2025, up 4.4% since 2020, faster than Washington (+3.8%). The Census Bureau's yearly estimates start from its own April 2020 base for Lacey, 56,341, which differs from the 2020 Census count of 53,526: the estimates follow the place as the estimates program defines it today (its present boundaries, and for a consolidated city-county the area the program assigns it), so the change since 2020 is measured from that base. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 57,737 (±71).
| Measure | Lacey | Thurston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 57,737 ±71 | 299,067 | +8,489 |
| Households | 23,430 ±641 | 118,899 | +4,153 |
| Average household size | 2.41 ±0.07 | 2.48 | −0.10 |
| Housing units | 24,652 ±686 | 125,163 | +4,505 |
Lacey's population since 2000
From 31,226 in 2000 to 58,833 in 2025: up 88.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Lacey as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Lacey?
The median resident of Lacey is 37.3 years old; 21.0% are under 18 and 19.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 63.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 11.4%. 11.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lacey | Thurston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.3 ±1.5 | 40.0 | +2.1 |
| Under 18 years | 21.0% ±1.6 pts | 20.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.6% ±1.3 pts | 18.7% | – |
| Male | 48.9% ±1.3 pts | 49.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 11.4% ±1.6 pts | 10.6% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 63.3% ±2.3 pts | 69.5% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 5.8% ±1.5 pts | 3.2% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 9.2% ±1.6 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 1.8% ±0.7 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 7.5% ±1.4 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 11.4% ±1.3 pts | 8.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 17.2% ±1.8 pts | 11.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 15.3% ±1.7 pts | 12.6% | – |
| With a disability | 16.9% ±1.4 pts | 16.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.8% ±1.2 pts | 5.0% | +1.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.9% ±1.1 pts | 94.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 34.1% ±2.5 pts | 38.5% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.2% ±1.6 pts | 14.9% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 82.1% ±2.5 pts | 85.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.2% ±1.0 pts | 3.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Lacey earn?
Half of Lacey's 23,430 households earn less than $90,625 a year (±$5,956), against $96,563 in Thurston County and $98,141 in Washington. In 2015-2019 the median was $83,302 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $7,323 after inflation. 11.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lacey | Thurston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $90,625 ±$5,956 | $96,563 | +$7,323 |
| Mean household income | $102,391 ±$4,063 | $114,140 | – |
| Per capita income | $42,173 ±$1,841 | $46,136 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 11.6% ±2.3 pts | 9.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.8% ±6.8 pts | 11.2% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 12.3% ±1.9 pts | 11.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 96.6% ±1.3 pts | 97.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.9% ±1.4 pts | 94.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Lacey?
Owners occupy 55.9% of Lacey's occupied homes and renters 44.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $457,100 by its owner (±$7,616). The median renter pays $1,870 a month including utilities, and 44.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lacey | Thurston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $457,100 ±$7,616 | $480,300 | +$134,043 |
| Median gross rent | $1,870 ±$51 | $1,736 | +$229 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 44.3% ±5.2 pts | 43.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,195 ±$60 | $2,288 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 55.9% ±2.4 pts | 67.7% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 44.1% ±2.4 pts | 32.3% | – |
| Housing units | 24,652 ±686 | 125,163 | +4,505 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.6% ±1.3 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.6% ±2.5 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 59.2% ±2.6 pts | 66.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.9% ±1.0 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.4% ±0.9 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 18.2% ±1.8 pts | 13.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.9% ±0.4 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.0% ±1.4 pts | 4.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Lacey building?
Builders took permits for 630 new housing units in Lacey in 2025 (26 in single-family houses), 10.7 per 1,000 residents against 4.4 across Washington.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Lacey work and get to work?
69.9% of Lacey's workers drive alone and 16.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.9%.
| Measure | Lacey | Thurston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.2% ±1.8 pts | 61.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9% ±1.0 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 69.9% ±2.4 pts | 66.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.9% ±1.9 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.8% ±0.7 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Walked | 1.7% ±0.5 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 16.9% ±2.1 pts | 20.5% | +13.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.4 min ±1.2 | 25.8 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Lacey?
10 census tracts lie mostly in Lacey, and 7 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $52,769 (Tract 112) to $111,207 (Tract 114.22).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 114.10Thurston County | 5,467 | $89,355 |
| Tract 116.23Thurston County | 6,147 | $105,288 |
| Tract 112Thurston County | 6,279 | $52,769 |
| Tract 122.26Thurston County | 5,732 | $105,804 |
| Tract 116.26Thurston County | 5,342 | $95,703 |
| Tract 116.25Thurston County | 3,785 | $77,083 |
| Tract 113Thurston County | 4,793 | $87,452 |
| Tract 114.22Thurston County | 3,806 | $111,207 |
| Tract 116.22Thurston County | 4,204 | $95,993 |
| Tract 114.21Thurston County | 3,041 | $97,423 |
| Tract 122.21Thurston County | 9,136 | $105,086 |
| Tract 122.25Thurston County | 5,492 | $124,261 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Lacey) · Census block assignment files
How does Lacey compare with other places in Washington?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Lacey is the 690th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 23rd-most populous of 281 in Washington.
Lacey ranks 210th of 387 places in Washington with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 23rd | 281 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 97th | 203 |
| Residents per square mile | 100th | 394 |
| Median household income | 210th | 387 |
| Per capita income | 226th | 393 |
| Median home value | 226th | 384 |
| Median gross rent | 119th | 351 |
| Poverty rate | 119th | 281 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 154th | 382 |
| Median age | 254th | 394 |
| Owner-occupied share | 332nd | 388 |
| Work from home | 140th | 307 |
| Travel time to work | 227th | 394 |
Lacey's figures with every place in Washington (CSV)
Every place in Washington, sortable · Compare Lacey with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Lacey?
2 of the 57 figures for Lacey on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Lacey are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Lacey.