City · Washington
Lakewood, Washington
Lakewood, city, in Pierce County, Washington. Lakewood had 62,755 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.4% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 63,612 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 62,937 (±37). GEOID 5338038.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
62,755
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 63,612 · ACS 2020-2024: 62,937 ±37
Median household income
$74,720
±$4,086 (90% margin)
Washington: $98,141
Median home value
$461,200
±$16,006 (90% margin)
Washington: $564,600
Median gross rent
$1,525
±$72 (90% margin)
Washington: $1,760
Where is Lakewood and what county is it in?
Lakewood is a city in Pierce County, Washington. It covers 17.1 square miles of land, 3,729 residents per square mile in 2020.
Lakewood is in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 counties (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 Lakewood, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 62,755 people lived in Lakewood on July 1, 2025, down 1.4% since 2020, while Washington grew 3.8%. The 2020 Census counted 63,612 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 62,937 (±37).
| Measure | Lakewood | Pierce County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 62,937 ±37 | 930,319 | +2,826 |
| Households | 26,500 ±846 | 351,330 | +1,775 |
| Average household size | 2.32 ±0.07 | 2.59 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 28,591 ±835 | 369,709 | +1,635 |
Lakewood's population since 2000
From 58,211 in 2000 to 62,755 in 2025: up 7.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Lakewood 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 Lakewood?
The median resident of Lakewood is 37.4 years old; 19.6% are under 18 and 17.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 45.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 18.8%. 15.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lakewood | Pierce County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.4 ±1.7 | 37.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.6% ±1.7 pts | 23.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.2% ±1.2 pts | 14.8% | – |
| Male | 49.5% ±1.6 pts | 50.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 18.8% ±2.7 pts | 12.8% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 45.0% ±2.9 pts | 61.4% | −5.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 13.3% ±2.0 pts | 7.0% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 6.9% ±1.1 pts | 6.8% | −1.7 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 3.5% ±1.1 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 11.2% ±1.8 pts | 9.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.8% ±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 15.3% ±1.7 pts | 10.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 23.2% ±2.1 pts | 16.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 13.7% ±1.6 pts | 10.9% | – |
| With a disability | 20.6% ±1.9 pts | 14.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.1% ±1.6 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.7% ±1.8 pts | 92.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 23.2% ±2.0 pts | 30.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.5% ±1.0 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 83.9% ±2.4 pts | 84.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.9% ±0.9 pts | 2.9% | – |
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 Lakewood earn?
Half of Lakewood's 26,500 households earn less than $74,720 a year (±$4,086), against $99,564 in Pierce County and $98,141 in Washington. In 2015-2019 the median was $63,962 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $10,758 after inflation. 13.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lakewood | Pierce County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $74,720 ±$4,086 | $99,564 | +$10,758 |
| Mean household income | $105,976 ±$7,176 | $124,488 | – |
| Per capita income | $44,695 ±$2,695 | $47,648 | +$8,430 |
| People below the poverty line | 13.2% ±2.1 pts | 8.8% | −3.4 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 14.2% ±4.6 pts | 10.2% | −10.1 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 16.3% ±1.7 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.1% ±1.4 pts | 97.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.8% ±1.7 pts | 94.6% | – |
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 Lakewood?
Owners occupy 47.5% of Lakewood's occupied homes and renters 52.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $461,200 by its owner (±$16,006). The median renter pays $1,525 a month including utilities, and 42.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lakewood | Pierce County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $461,200 ±$16,006 | $526,600 | +$129,897 |
| Median gross rent | $1,525 ±$72 | $1,806 | +$252 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.1% ±4.8 pts | 42.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,197 ±$102 | $2,423 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 47.5% ±2.7 pts | 64.7% | +4.1 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 52.5% ±2.7 pts | 35.3% | – |
| Housing units | 28,591 ±835 | 369,709 | +1,635 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3% ±0.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.7% ±2.3 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 44.3% ±2.2 pts | 65.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.1% ±0.9 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.0% ±0.7 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 5.8% ±1.5 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.8% ±1.0 pts | 10.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 8.8% ±1.7 pts | 5.4% | – |
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 Lakewood building?
Builders took permits for 441 new housing units in Lakewood in 2025 (35 in single-family houses), 7.0 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 Lakewood work and get to work?
72.2% of Lakewood's workers drive alone and 8.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 29.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.7%.
| Measure | Lakewood | Pierce County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.3% ±1.9 pts | 66.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.7% ±1.4 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 72.2% ±2.6 pts | 70.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 13.2% ±2.3 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 3.2% ±1.0 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Walked | 1.1% ±0.5 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.8% ±1.3 pts | 13.9% | +5.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 29.3 min ±1.9 | 31.3 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 Lakewood?
12 census tracts lie mostly in Lakewood, and 6 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $48,865 (Tract 718.06) to $123,750 (Tract 719.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 719.02Pierce County | 6,020 | $123,750 |
| Tract 719.01Pierce County | 5,873 | $79,506 |
| Tract 721.05Pierce County | 5,918 | $102,639 |
| Tract 720Pierce County | 5,139 | $56,938 |
| Tract 721.08Pierce County | 5,113 | $91,308 |
| Tract 718.06Pierce County | 5,092 | $48,865 |
| Tract 718.03Pierce County | 5,758 | $88,782 |
| Tract 721.06Pierce County | 4,920 | $60,655 |
| Tract 721.07Pierce County | 4,655 | $105,755 |
| Tract 718.05Pierce County | 3,983 | $57,005 |
| Tract 718.07Pierce County | 3,733 | $58,438 |
| Tract 718.08Pierce County | 4,042 | $53,071 |
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 Lakewood) · Census block assignment files
How does Lakewood compare with other places in Washington?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Lakewood is the 637th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 22nd-most populous of 281 in Washington.
Lakewood ranks 291st 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 | 22nd | 281 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 181st | 203 |
| Residents per square mile | 52nd | 394 |
| Median household income | 291st | 387 |
| Per capita income | 197th | 393 |
| Median home value | 223rd | 384 |
| Median gross rent | 204th | 351 |
| Poverty rate | 89th | 281 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 269th | 382 |
| Median age | 250th | 394 |
| Owner-occupied share | 370th | 388 |
| Work from home | 264th | 307 |
| Travel time to work | 146th | 394 |
Lakewood's figures with every place in Washington (CSV)
Every place in Washington, sortable · Compare Lakewood 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 Lakewood?
3 of the 57 figures for Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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 Lakewood.