Lakewood, Washington
Encyclopedia
Lakewood is a city in Pierce County
, Washington, United States
. The population was 58,163 at the 2010 census.
, a regional state psychiatric hospital
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 19.0 square miles (49.1 km²), of which 17.1 square miles (44.3 km²) is land and 1.9 square miles (4.8 km²) (9.81%) is water.
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. 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.
Lakewood shares its eastern boundary with McChord Air Force Base and Fort Lewis
, now known as Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) since these two cities have annexed the two installations, in part to use its zoning laws to maintain clear space around them. Lakewood is the host community to Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM)
and the lead agency for producing the JBLM Growth Coordination Plan. The Army population at JBLM has doubled over the last 10 years(17,000 to 34,000); including the Air Force, the total uniformed military
population is 40,000. JBLM is the third largest employer in Washington behind Boeing and the State
In 2006, an informal survey by The News Tribune found that 36% of respondents, more than for any other single area of the 21 listed, believed Lakewood to be the most difficult area of Pierce County to navigate.
of 2000, there were 58,211 people, 23,792 households, and 15,084 families residing in the city. The population density
was 3,401.3 people per square mile (1,313.6/km²). There were 25,396 housing units at an average density of 1,483.9 per square mile (573.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 64.82% White, 12.25% African American, 8.95% Asian, 1.84% Pacific Islander, 1.55% Native American, 3.55% from other races
, and 7.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.49% of the population.
There were 23,792 households out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples
living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.94.
The population is spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 11.3% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,422, and the median income for a family was $42,551. Males had a median income of $31,434 versus $26,653 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $20,569. About 12.5% of families and 15.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.5% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.
when they patrolled Lakewood.
walked into the Parkland
Forza Coffee shop at around 8:15 a.m. After approaching the counter, he turned and started shooting. Dead at the scene were Sgt. Mark Renninger, 39, and officers Tina Griswold, 40, Ronald Owens, 37, and Greg Richards, 42. Each of them had served with the department since its inception. Two baristas and several customers in the shop were not injured. Clemmons was shot and killed by a Seattle police officer two days later.
These are the only LPD officers who have died in the line of duty.
operates all public schools within Lakewood.
Lakewood is also home to Pierce College Fort Steilacoom
, Clover Park Technical College
, and Covenant Bible Seminary.
, and McChord Air Force Base) which employ more than 34,000 people with a net impact of $2.2 billion.
, a daily (Monday-Friday) online publication available by email edition or on the Internet. occasional coverage is provided by The News Tribune (Tacoma), and sometimes by the media in Seattle
. Earlier weekly newspapers for the community were the Lakewood Log (circa 1930s), Suburban Times (1960s-1982), Lakewood Press (1980s), and Lakewood Journal (1990s).
KLAY-AM
radio provides Lakewood-specific talk radio. KVTI-FM
, known as "I-91 FM", broadcasts top 40 music from its Lakewood studio at Clover Park Technical College
. The Clover Park School District operated KCPQ
(thus the call letters) until 1980, when the district sold the station to Kelly Broadcasting.
Lakewood receives Seattle area television and radio stations.
.
Pierce County, Washington
right|thumb|[[Tacoma, Washington|Tacoma]] - Seat of Pierce CountyPierce County is the second most populous county in the U.S. state of Washington. Formed out of Thurston County on December 22, 1852, by the legislature of Oregon Territory...
, Washington, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 58,163 at the 2010 census.
History
Lakewood was officially incorporated on February 28, 1996. Historical names include Lakewood Center and Lakes District (this name was used by the U.S. Census in the 1970 and 1980 Census). Lakewood is a major suburb of Tacoma and is home to Western State HospitalWestern State Hospital (Washington State)
Western State Hospital is a psychiatric hospital located at 9601 Steilacoom Boulevard SW in Lakewood, Washington, which is a suburb of Tacoma. Administered by the Washington Department of Social and Health Services , it is the largest mental facility west of the Mississippi River, with 806 beds,...
, a regional state psychiatric hospital
Psychiatric hospital
Psychiatric hospitals, also known as mental hospitals, are hospitals specializing in the treatment of serious mental disorders. Psychiatric hospitals vary widely in their size and grading. Some hospitals may specialise only in short-term or outpatient therapy for low-risk patients...
.
Geography
Lakewood is located at 47°9′50"N 122°31′34"W (47.163920, -122.526008).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 19.0 square miles (49.1 km²), of which 17.1 square miles (44.3 km²) is land and 1.9 square miles (4.8 km²) (9.81%) is water.
There are several lakes within the city limits; the largest in area are American Lake
American Lake
American Lake is located in Lakewood, Washington and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. There are two public parks on the large lake: American Lake North Park & Marina, and Harry Todd Park. Both have lakeside beaches for swimming, fishing, or picnicking. The first also features a boat launching area; the...
, Lake Steilacoom
Lake Steilacoom
Lake Steilacoom is a reservoir approximately 4 km southwest of Tacoma in Pierce County, Washington, United States. Its boundaries lie entirely within the city of Lakewood, Washington. The reservoir covers approximately , has a mean depth of and a maximum depth of...
, Gravelly Lake
Gravelly Lake
Gravelly Lake is a lake located in Lakewood in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The lake is fed by groundwater and has no surface drainage channels.The lake is surrounded by higher-priced homes and estates...
, Lake Louise, and Waughop Lake
Waughop Lake
Waughop Lake is a lake less than 1.6 km east of Steilacoom in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The lake lies within Fort Steilacoom Park, in the city of Lakewood, Washington. Waughop Lake has a surface area of approximately and a mean depth of . The lake is fed by groundwater and...
. A number of small creeks flow through Lakewood, some of which drain into nearby Puget Sound. The largest of these, Chambers Creek
Chambers Creek (Washington)
Chambers Creek is a creek in Washington.Chambers Creek was named for Thomas M. Chambers, who settled near Olympia, Washington in 1846 and later built a sawmill on the creek....
, flows from Lake Steilacoom
Lake Steilacoom
Lake Steilacoom is a reservoir approximately 4 km southwest of Tacoma in Pierce County, Washington, United States. Its boundaries lie entirely within the city of Lakewood, Washington. The reservoir covers approximately , has a mean depth of and a maximum depth of...
to Chambers Bay between nearby University Place
University Place, Washington
University Place is a city in Pierce County, Washington, United States. Its population was 31,144 at the 2010 census.Based on per capita income, University Place ranks 81st of 522 areas in the state of Washington to be ranked.-History:...
and Steilacoom
Steilacoom, Washington
Steilacoom is a town in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 5,985 at the 2010 census. Steilacoom is on the coast of Puget Sound, on a branch not visible on the map to the right...
.
The western terminus of State Route 512 is in Lakewood, at its intersection with Interstate 5
Interstate 5 in Washington
Interstate 5 in Washington is a highway in the U.S. state of Washington that extends from its border with Oregon to its border with Canada...
. The proposed State Route 704 would be the only other state highway entering the city.
Lakewood shares its eastern boundary with McChord Air Force Base and Fort Lewis
Fort Lewis
Joint Base Lewis-McChord is a United States military facility located south-southwest of Tacoma, Washington. The facility is under the jurisdiction of the United States Army Joint Base Garrison, Joint Base Lewis-McChord....
, now known as Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) since these two cities have annexed the two installations, in part to use its zoning laws to maintain clear space around them. Lakewood is the host community to Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM)
and the lead agency for producing the JBLM Growth Coordination Plan. The Army population at JBLM has doubled over the last 10 years(17,000 to 34,000); including the Air Force, the total uniformed military
population is 40,000. JBLM is the third largest employer in Washington behind Boeing and the State
In 2006, an informal survey by The News Tribune found that 36% of respondents, more than for any other single area of the 21 listed, believed Lakewood to be the most difficult area of Pierce County to navigate.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 58,211 people, 23,792 households, and 15,084 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 3,401.3 people per square mile (1,313.6/km²). There were 25,396 housing units at an average density of 1,483.9 per square mile (573.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 64.82% White, 12.25% African American, 8.95% Asian, 1.84% Pacific Islander, 1.55% Native American, 3.55% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 7.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.49% of the population.
There were 23,792 households out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.94.
The population is spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 11.3% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,422, and the median income for a family was $42,551. Males had a median income of $31,434 versus $26,653 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $20,569. About 12.5% of families and 15.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.5% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.
Police
The City of Lakewood contracted with the Pierce County Sheriff's Office for police services between 1996 and 2004. The city created the LPD in 2004. According to the City of Lakewood website, The Lakewood Police Department started independent police and patrol operations on November 1, 2004. The department employs 119 people including 98 commissioned officers. The Pierce County Sheriff's Office appeared in many episodes of the television program COPSCOPS (TV series)
Cops is an American documentary/reality television series that follows police officers, constables, and sheriff's deputies during patrols and other police activities...
when they patrolled Lakewood.
Officers killed in the line of duty
On November 29, 2009, four LPD officers were shot and killed. Maurice ClemmonsMaurice Clemmons
Maurice Clemmons was an American felon who was responsible for the November 29, 2009, murder of four police officers in Parkland, Washington...
walked into the Parkland
Parkland, Washington
Parkland is a census-designated place in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 24,053 at the 2000 census and grew to 35,803 as of the 2010 census...
Forza Coffee shop at around 8:15 a.m. After approaching the counter, he turned and started shooting. Dead at the scene were Sgt. Mark Renninger, 39, and officers Tina Griswold, 40, Ronald Owens, 37, and Greg Richards, 42. Each of them had served with the department since its inception. Two baristas and several customers in the shop were not injured. Clemmons was shot and killed by a Seattle police officer two days later.
These are the only LPD officers who have died in the line of duty.
Education
The Clover Park School DistrictClover Park School District
The Clover Park School District is the fourth largest school district in Pierce County, Washington and the 28th largest public school district in the state.-Location:...
operates all public schools within Lakewood.
Lakewood is also home to Pierce College Fort Steilacoom
Pierce College
Pierce College is a community college district operating in and serving Pierce County in the U.S. state of Washington. The district consists of two main colleges, Pierce College Fort Steilacoom in Lakewood and Pierce College Puyallup in Puyallup, and auxiliary campuses at Fort Lewis, McChord Air...
, Clover Park Technical College
Clover Park Technical College
Clover Park Technical College is located in Lakewood, Washington, in the United States, south of Seattle. It has an enrollment of 3,500 full-time and 18,000 part-time students...
, and Covenant Bible Seminary.
Economy
Lakewood's economy is highly dependent upon the two neighboring military bases, (Fort LewisFort Lewis
Joint Base Lewis-McChord is a United States military facility located south-southwest of Tacoma, Washington. The facility is under the jurisdiction of the United States Army Joint Base Garrison, Joint Base Lewis-McChord....
, and McChord Air Force Base) which employ more than 34,000 people with a net impact of $2.2 billion.
Media
Lakewood's news is primarily covered by The Suburban TimesThe Suburban Times
The Suburban Times is an online newspaper in southwest Pierce County in Washington state, USA.It serves the Washington state communities of Lakewood, University Place, Fircrest, Steilacoom, DuPont, and Joint Base Lewis-McChord....
, a daily (Monday-Friday) online publication available by email edition or on the Internet. occasional coverage is provided by The News Tribune (Tacoma), and sometimes by the media in Seattle
Media in Seattle
Seattle, Washington, supports a multitude of media, from long-established newspapers, television and radio stations to a continually evolving panoply of smaller, local art, culture, neighborhood and political publications, filmmaking and, most recently, Internet media...
. Earlier weekly newspapers for the community were the Lakewood Log (circa 1930s), Suburban Times (1960s-1982), Lakewood Press (1980s), and Lakewood Journal (1990s).
KLAY-AM
KLAY
KLAY is a radio station broadcasting a News Talk Information format. Located near Lakewood, Washington, USA, the station serves the Seattle area. The station is currently owned by Clay Frank Huntington and features programing from Westwood One. The station features news, talk, weather, traffic,...
radio provides Lakewood-specific talk radio. KVTI-FM
KVTI-FM
KVTI is a non-commercial classical music radio station licensed to Tacoma, Washington, and operates at 90.9 MHz with an ERP of 51 kW.-History:...
, known as "I-91 FM", broadcasts top 40 music from its Lakewood studio at Clover Park Technical College
Clover Park Technical College
Clover Park Technical College is located in Lakewood, Washington, in the United States, south of Seattle. It has an enrollment of 3,500 full-time and 18,000 part-time students...
. The Clover Park School District operated KCPQ
KCPQ
KCPQ, channel 13, is the Fox television affiliate licensed to Tacoma, Washington serving the Seattle/Tacoma television market, owned by the Tribune Company...
(thus the call letters) until 1980, when the district sold the station to Kelly Broadcasting.
Lakewood receives Seattle area television and radio stations.
Points of interest
- Fort SteilacoomFort SteilacoomFor the adjacent park, see Fort Steilacoom ParkFort Steilacoom was founded by the U.S. Army in 1849 near Lake Steilacoom. It was among the first military fortifications built by the U.S. north of the Columbia River in what was to become Washington...
- Lakewold GardensLakewold GardensLakewold Gardens is a non-profit estate garden located at 12317 Gravelly Lake Drive SW, Lakewood, Washington, in an area known as the Lakes District. It is open to visitors year-round.-History:...
- Lakewood Towne CenterLakewood Towne CenterLakewood Towne Center is a shopping center located in Lakewood, Washington, a suburb of Tacoma. Lakewood Towne Center was created when MBK Northwest bought and demolished the enclosed portion of the failing Lakewood Mall in 2001, and turned the site into an open air destination by creating four...
- Lakewood PlayhouseLakewood Playhouse-History:Lakewood Playhouse was founded in 1938. They currently have a 180-seat theatre in the Seattle metropolitan area, at the Lakewood Towne Center....
- ThornewoodThornewoodThornewood is an estate in Lakewood, Washington. The estate consists of three buildings, including Thornewood Castle, which was built from the brick of a dismantled 15th century house imported from England. The Castle was used as a set for the Stephen King film Rose Red.The buildings were listed...
- Western State HospitalWestern State Hospital (Washington State)Western State Hospital is a psychiatric hospital located at 9601 Steilacoom Boulevard SW in Lakewood, Washington, which is a suburb of Tacoma. Administered by the Washington Department of Social and Health Services , it is the largest mental facility west of the Mississippi River, with 806 beds,...
Recognition
Lakewood and Pierce County were named among the 100 Best Places for Young People by America's PromiseAmerica's Promise
America's Promise — The Alliance for Youth is a foundation founded by Colin Powell in 1997 to help children and youth from all socioeconomic sectors in the United States.In late April 1997 Presidents Bill Clinton, George H. W...
.