Lakewood, Washington
Lakewood is a city of 62,937 people in Pierce County, Washington, founded in 1833.
Why visit Lakewood
Townapedia lists 73 museums and landmarks, 66 parks and trails, 195 places to eat, 25 places to stay and 9 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include AMC Loews Lakewood Town Center 12, Pacific Lutheran University, McChord Field Historic District and Engine House No. 8.
August is the warmest month, with average highs of 76°F; December lows average 36°F.
Weather in Lakewood
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Lakewood
Lakewood is a city in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 63,612 at the 2020 census. It is the second-largest city in the county, behind Tacoma, and is a suburban bedroom community. Lakewood is adjacent to the McChord AFB portion of Joint Base Lewis–McChord, a major military installation for the U.S.
From the Wikipedia article Lakewood, Washington (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do9
Pacific Lutheran University
School · 4.2 mi
Private university in Parkland, a suburb of Tacoma, Washington, USA
McChord Theater
Cinema and theater · 2.8 mi
742 Colonel Joe Jackson Boulevard, McChord AFB
Regal Lakewood Cinema 15
Cinema and theater · 3.0 mi
2410 84th Street South, Lakewood
Lakewood Theater
Cinema and theater · 0.6 mi
6120 Motor Avenue Southwest, Lakewood
Museums and landmarks73
McChord Field Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.0 mi
Historic district in Washington, United States
Engine House No. 8
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.3 mi
Historic firehouse in Tacoma, Washington state, USA
Fire Station No. 10
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.5 mi
Fire station in Tacoma, United States of America
Fort Steilacoom
Museum · National Register of Historic Places · 2.0 mi
Former U.S. Army outpost near Lake Steilacoom
Rhodesleigh
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.4 mi
Building in Washington, United States
Tacoma Mausoleum
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.0 mi
Historic site in Tacoma, Washington, US
Thornewood
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.6 mi
Building in Washington, United States
McChord Air Museum
Museum · 3.3 mi
Military aviation museum in Lakewood, Washington
517
Steilacoom Tribal Cultural Center and Museum
Museum · 3.4 mi
1515 Lafayette Street, Steilacoom
Sa 10:00-16:00
91st Division Monument
Monument and historic site · 4.4 mi
Monument in Washington, United States of America
61 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds66
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Fort Steilacoom Park
Park · 1.8 mi
Park in Washington, United States of America, United States of America
Charlie's Park
Park · 3.4 mi
Lafayette Street & Pacific Street, Steilacoom
(sunrise-00:30)-(sunset+00:30)
Kobayashi Park
Park · 2.4 mi
Park in Washington, United States of America
Pioneer Orchard Park
Park · 3.4 mi
Commercial Street & Wilkes Street, Steilacoom
(sunrise-00:30)-(sunset+00:30)
54 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes195
Blue Steele Coffee Company
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 3.0 mi
11401 Steele Street South, Tacoma
Mo-Fr 04:00-19:00; Sa 06:00-19:00; Su 07:00-18:00
The Brew Coffee Co
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 1.0 mi
10506 Bridgeport Way Southwest, Lakewood
Mo-Fr 05:00-18:00; Sa 06:00-18:00; Su 07:00-17:00
Dutch Bros. Coffee
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 1.6 mi
8624 Steilacoom Boulevard, Southwest Lakewood
Mo-Th 05:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 05:00-23:00; Su 05:00-22:00
183 more on the map.
History
Lakewood was officially incorporated as a city on February 28, 1996, on the same day as Edgewood. It immediately became the second largest city in Pierce County and among the largest in the state. Three previous attempts to incorporate as a city had been rejected by voters in 1971, 1990, and 1994 before it was approved by a 20-point margin on March 14, 1995, within a smaller area. Historical names include Tacoma/Lakewood Center and Lakes District (this name was used by the U.S. Census in the 1970 and 1980 Census). Lakewood is home to the Clover Park School District, the Lakewood Water District, Fort Steilacoom Park and Western State Hospital, a regional state psychiatric hospital. Thornewood Castle was built in the vicinity of Tacoma in the area that is now Lakewood.
A small community near Arlington in Snohomish County with the name Lakewood had used the name for their post office since 1909, which led to confusion between the two areas. The United States Postal Service suggested that the new city be renamed due to frequent mixups in mail delivery that required the two post offices to forward deliveries with a one-day delay. The Snohomish County post office was renamed to North Lakewood in 1998 by the Postal Service due to the other community's unincorporated status.
From the History section of Lakewood, Washington on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay25
Comfort Inn & Suites Lakewood by JBLM
Motel and hotel · 1.6 mi
12704 Pacific Highway Southwest, Lakewood
Americas Best Value Inn Lakewood Tacoma S
Motel and hotel · 1.7 mi
4215 Sharondale Street Southwest, Lakewood
Churches and places of worship63
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 3.1 mi
Steilacoom Catholic Church
Church · 3.2 mi
501 Main Street, Steilacoom
McChord Field Chapel Support Center
Place of worship · 2.9 mi
746 Colonel Joe Jackson Boulevard, McChord AFB
Abundant Life Assembly of God
Church · Assemblies Of God · 1.1 mi
5291 111th Street Southwest, Lakewood
Jehovah's Witnesses
Church · Jehovahs Witness · 1.0 mi
6603 88th Street Southwest, Lakewood
Lakewood Conservative Baptist Church
Church · Baptist · 1.6 mi
8521 Steilacoom Boulevard Southwest, Lakewood
Lakewood Lutheran Church
Church · Lutheran · 2.1 mi
10202 112th Street Southwest, Lakewood
Lakewood United Pentecostal Church
Church · Pentecostal · 0.6 mi
6130 Motor Avenue Southwest, Lakewood
Lighthouse Church
Church · United Methodist · 2.3 mi
11116 Military Road Southwest, Lakewood
Shopping38
Ross
Shopping center · 0.6 mi
5820 Lakewood Towne Center Boulevard Southwest, Lakewood
Tienda Y Carniceria Los Guerreros
Grocery · 2.1 mi
10515 South Tacoma Way, Lakewood
Gas and EV charging38
Schools, colleges and libraries66
Clover Park Technical College - Lakewood
School · 1.5 mi
4500 Steilacoom Boulevard Southwest, Lakewood
Tillicum Pierce County Library
Library · 3.0 mi
14916 Washington Ave SW, Lakewood
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Tacoma
School · 3.1 mi
851 Lincoln Boulevard, Joint Base Lewis-McChord
Healthcare47
Allergy & Asthma Speciality Services
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.3 mi
11203 Bridgeport Way Southwest, Lakewood
Cascade Eye & Skin Centers, P.C.
Clinic and pharmacy · 3.1 mi
5225 Cirque Drive West
City Sleep Lab
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.3 mi
11318 Bridgeport Way Southwest, Lakewood
Custer Foot & Ankle Clinc
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.9 mi
7507 Custer Road West, Lakewood
Map of Lakewood
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 46°F | 36°F | 6.1 in |
| Feb | 48°F | 36°F | 4.1 in |
| Mar | 53°F | 38°F | 4.6 in |
| Apr | 58°F | 41°F | 3.4 in |
| May | 64°F | 46°F | 2.1 in |
| Jun | 70°F | 51°F | 1.4 in |
| Jul | 76°F | 54°F | 0.7 in |
| Aug | 76°F | 54°F | 0.9 in |
| Sep | 70°F | 51°F | 1.5 in |
| Oct | 59°F | 46°F | 4.3 in |
| Nov | 50°F | 40°F | 7.2 in |
| Dec | 46°F | 36°F | 5.8 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Tacoma Narrows Ap (8 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Pierce County has had 13 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.
- 2026-04-07: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Flood)
- 2025-12-12: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Flood)
- 2020-09-09: Sumner Grade Fire (Fire)
- 2020-03-22: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2012-03-05: Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Severe Storm)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
McChord Field (TCM) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 3 miles away.
- Fort Lewis 5 mi south, about 8 min by car
- Tacoma 7 mi northeast, about 11 min by car
- Frederickson 9 mi southeast, about 15 min by car
- Fife 10 mi northeast, about 15 min by car
- Artondale 11 mi northwest, about 18 min by car
- Elk Plain 11 mi southeast, about 18 min by car
- Edgewood 12 mi northeast, about 20 min by car
- Gig Harbor 12 mi north, about 20 min by car
- Federal Way 14 mi northeast, about 22 min by car
- Lakeland South 14 mi northeast, about 22 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System (26447667184), Veterans Health, Public domain
- Bus in front of Marshalls Lakewood towne centre transit centre 2 edited (4575701070), Brett VA, CC BY 2.0
- Bus in front of Marshalls Lakewood towne centre transit centre 1 (4575066347), Brett VA, CC BY 2.0
- Pierce Cnty Transit Lakewood Towne Center Bus Transfer Lakewood WA edited (4575068307), Brett VA, CC BY 2.0
- Flickr - DVIDSHUB - 'Lakewood Salutes' celebrates local heroes, DVIDSHUB, Public domain
- Pierce Cnty Transit Centre Lakewood towne Centre 2 (4575701846), Brett VA, CC BY 2.0
- Lakewood Towne Center, Lakewood, United States Sep 27, 2020 09-18-39 PM, Senapa, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Lakewood Towne Center Panorama 1 (4575701570), Brett VA, CC BY 2.0
- Grand Entrance to Lakewood Towne Center W-bus edited (4575067517), Brett VA, CC BY 2.0
- Entrance to Lakewood Towne Center Lakewood WA (4575068157), Brett VA, CC BY 2.0
- Lakewood, United States Aug 09, 2020 08-03-30 PM, Steven Pavlov, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2024-09-09, Little Free Library, Lakewood, Washington, 01, Steven Pavlov, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2024-09-09, Little Free Library, Lakewood, Washington, 02, Steven Pavlov, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Lakewood, United States Sep 27, 2020 09-30-13 PM, Senapa, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Lakewood WA Sounder station, Kgrr, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Sounder at Lakewood Station (8022231754), Atomic Taco from Seattle, WA, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Tacoma Mausoleum, Ben Cody, Public domain
- Thornewood 01, Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Immaculate Conception Church 2, Ben Cody, Public domain
- Rhodesleigh, Ben Cody, Public domain
- Engine House No. 8, Ben Cody, Public domain
- Fire Station No. 10, Ben Cody, Public domain
- Fort Steilacoom Officer's Quarters 2, Ben Cody, Public domain
- Fort Steilacoom Park playground - March 2006, travisl, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Acer sp .... a maple seedling's first autumn, Graham IV, CC BY 4.0
- Path of mushrooms, Graham IV, CC BY 4.0
- 1786, Carlson Büth, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Lakewold Gardens NRHP 14001055 Pierce County, WA, Jon Roanhaus, CC BY-SA 3.0
- 1919 Tacoma Speedway Dario Resta Marvin D Boland Collection BOLANDB2007 - restored, Marvin Dement Boland, Public domain
- Munson House NRHP2 100004345 Pierce County, WA, Jon Roanhaus, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Munson House NRHP 100004345 Pierce County, WA, Jon Roanhaus, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Old Western State mental institution cemetery... - panoramio, Kira Picabo, CC BY 3.0
- John Moore, first homesteader in the city that is now Des Moines, WA. - panoramio, Kira Picabo, CC BY 3.0
- Your time is up... - panoramio, Kira Picabo, CC BY 3.0
- An angel to guide you - panoramio, Kira Picabo, CC BY 3.0
- Various fields of Steilacoom - panoramio, Kira Picabo, CC BY 3.0
- Whoever you are... - panoramio, Kira Picabo, CC BY 3.0
- Norway Maple in South Puget Sound Wildlife Area, PinchyCC, CC BY 4.0
- CEM lower level, Traininteriorguy, CC BY 4.0
- CEM interior, Traininteriorguy, CC BY 4.0
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Page built October 30, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.