Lakewood, Washington

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Lakewood, Washington
other_name =
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settlement_type = City
motto =


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image_blank_emblem = Anniversary-logo lakewood.pngblank_emblem_size =

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map_caption = Location of Lakewood in
Pierce County and Washington


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Washington
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Pierce
subdivision_type3 =
subdivision_name3 =
subdivision_type4 =
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government_footnotes =
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leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Doug Richardsoncite web |url=http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/248607.html |title=New mayor for Lakewood |date=2008-01-08 |accessdate=2008-03-05 |last=Tucker |first=Rob |work=The News Tribune]
leader_title1 = City Manager
leader_name1 = Andrew Neiditz
leader_title2 = Deputy Mayor
leader_name2 = Don Anderson
leader_title3 =
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established_title = Settled
established_date = 1833
established_title2 = Incorporated (city)
established_date2 = February 28th, 1996
established_title3 =
established_date3 =
area_magnitude = 1 E9
unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_total_km2 = 49.1
area_land_km2 = 44.3
area_water_km2 = 4.8
area_total_sq_mi = 49.1
area_land_sq_mi = 44.3
area_water_sq_mi = 4.8
area_water_percent = 9.8
area_urban_km2 =
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population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_note = City Proper
population_total = 58211
population_density_km2 = 1313.3
population_density_sq_mi = 1313.6
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timezone = PST
utc_offset = -8
timezone_DST = PDT
utc_offset_DST = -7
latd = 47 |latm = 10 |latNS = N
longd = 122 |longm = 31 |longEW = W
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 80
elevation_ft = 262
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 98498, 98499
area_code = 253
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 53-38038GR|r2]
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1512373GR|3
website = http://www.cityoflakewood.us/
footnotes =

Lakewood is a city in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 58,211 at the 2000 census and a 2008 Washington State Office of Financial Management estimate of 58,780.

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 Hospital, a regional state psychiatric hospital. [ [http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/mentalhealth/wshfaqs.shtml Answers to Questions Frequently Asked Western State Hospital] ]

Population history

*1970......48,195
*1980......54,533
*1990......58,412
*2000......58,211
*2008est...58,782

Geography

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. The city is considering annexing the two installations, in part to use its zoning laws to maintain clear space around them. [http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/6339173p-5524828c.html "Lakewood again considers annexing military bases", "The News Tribune", Jan. 25, 2007.] ]

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. [ [http://community.thenewstribune.com/?q=lost Informal News Tribune Poll - Most Difficult Areas of Pierce County to Navigate] . "The News Tribune". Accessed February 24, 2006.]

Demographics

As of the census 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/sq mi (573.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 64.82% White, 12.25% African American, 1.55% Native American, 8.95% Asian, 1.84% Pacific Islander, 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.

The Clover Park School District operates all public schools within Lakewood.

Lakewood's economy is highly dependent upon the two neighboring military bases, which employ more than 34,000 people with a net impact of $2.2 billion.

Media

Lakewood's news is primarily covered 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 (1970s), 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 it was sold to Kelly Broadcasting.

Points of interest

* Fort Steilacoom
* Lakewold Gardens
* Lakewood Towne Center
* Lakewood Playhouse
* Thornewood
* Western State Hospital

Recognition

Lakewood and Pierce County were named among the 100 Best Places for Young People by America's Promise. [ [http://www.americaspromise.org/uploadedFiles/AmericasPromiseAlliance/100_Best_Communities/2007_Winner_List/2007_Winners/Washington.pdf 100 Best Communities for Young People, Washington] ]

Lakewood's sister city is Okinawa City, Japan. [cite web|url=http://www.sister-cities.org/icrc/directory/usa/WA |title=Online Directory: Washington, USA |work=Sister Cities International |accessdate=2008-04-22]

Notable residents

*Joshua Mueller, The Guinness Book of World Records holder for most Converse shoes lives in Lakewood, WA.
*Linda Evans, Actress owns a home named Madera in Lakewood, Washington.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.cityoflakewood.us/ City of Lakewood Official site]
*dmoz|Regional/North_America/United_States/Washington/Localities/L/Lakewood,_Pierce_County/|Lakewood, Washington