Lakewood, Washington

Lakewood is a city in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 58,163 at the 2010 census.

History

Lakewood was officially incorporated on February 28, 1996. 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 the second-largest city in Pierce County and is home to the Clover Park School District, the Lakes Water District, Fort Steilacoom Park and Western State Hospital, a regional state psychiatric hospital.

Geography

Lakewood is located at 47°10′N 122°32′W / 47.167°N 122.533°W / 47.167; -122.533 (47.164, -122.526).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.95 square miles (49.08 km²), of which, 17.17 square miles (44.47 km²) is land and 1.78 square miles (4.61 km²) 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.