Lacey, Washington

Lacey is a city in Thurston County, Washington, United States. Established as a suburb of Olympia, Lacey's population as of the 2000 census was 31,226, as compared to 42,514 for Olympia. However, as of July 2008, Lacey has grown at a considerable rate to 38,040 residents. Olympia has grown to just 44,420 people. Lacey is the second fastest growing city in all of Thurston County. Lacey is a booming city that continues to grow and expand at a quick rate.

Thurston County, which includes the cities of Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater, has a population of 207,355 as of the 2000 census

History

The small settlements of Woodland and Chamber's Creek consolidated into Lacey in the 1950s. Lacey was officially incorporated on December 5, 1966. At the time, the main industries were cattle, milk, forest products, and retail. Lacey became a "bedroom" community for Olympia and to some extent Tacoma. The city is perceived as a slower paced community with its best characteristics being in close proximity to many lakes and forests as well as being close to the beautiful Nisqually Valley. Many of the surrounding lakes sported hotels for vacationers, during the height of travel via train.

Lacey sported one of the Northwest's first ever "indoor malls," South Sound Center. It has since been partially demolished and turned into an outdoor shopping center. When the Lacey Plywood Mill shut down, Lacey took on the challenges of being a place to invest in. Lacey now flourishes with retail, warehousing/distribution centers, a large retirement community, a major mushroom farm, and Weyerhaeuser's corrugated container facility. Lacey is also experiencing a building boom mostly on its northern border. The area around Hawks Prairie has exploded with commercial and residential building. This is also the site of a planned "commercial" core and high-rise district. The "Gateway Project" started in October 2007, when the major Sports & Outdoor store Cabela's was built in the Hawks Prairie District. Soon, many other high rise buildings will be built around Cabela's and Lacey may have a big population boom that would make it one of the largest cities in all of Washington. NFL Washington Redskins Fullback Mike Sellers plans to build a Multi-Sport/Event Center, or a Football Dome in Hawks Prarie, which would attract National competitions, (i.e, football, baseball tournaments, concerts, other various events.) Lacey is also in the top 7 most "Green" cities in all of America. And has been noticed by the nation as an Energy Efficient City. Lacey is also nicknamed, Tree City, USA. Hundreds of thousands of trees line the streets of Lacey, and with various lakes and parks, Lacey is the one of the most beautiful cities in all of America.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.3 square miles (42.3 km²), of which, 15.9 square miles (41.3 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km²) of it (2.27%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 31,226 people, 12,459 households, and 8,148 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,957.8 people per square mile (755.9/km²). There were 13,160 housing units at an average density of 825.1/sq mi (318.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 78.19% White, 4.77% African American, 1.33% Native American, 7.76% Asian, 1.06% Pacific Islander, 2.16% from other races, and 4.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.90% of the population.

There were 12,459 households out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.1% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $43,848, and the median income for a family was $50,923. Males had a median income of $37,053 versus $29,497 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,224. About 7.4% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.5% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education

In addition to being the home of many public and private schools, Lacey is also home to Saint Martin's University, and Thurston County's largest school district, North Thurston Public Schools. Lacey is also home to various faith based schools, such as Faith Lutheran (Elementary to Middle School) and Foundation Campus, which includes Community Christian Academy (Pre-school to Middle School) and Northwest Christian High School. Lacey will also be the home for the future Pope John Paul II High School.

Public Secondary Schools

Trivia

USA Soccer Goalkeeper Kasey Keller grew up on an egg farm in Lacey; graduating from North Thurston High School in 1988. A street that is adjacent to the high school is named after him.

The band Sleater-Kinney takes their name from a major street in the city.

Governor Christine Gregoire lives with her husband in the county north of the city.

NFL Rookie Running Back Jonathan Stewart graduated from Timberline High School in 2004. He attended The University of Oregon, and was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the 2008 NFL Draft. He was the 13th overall pick in the draft.

NFL Washington Redskins Fullback Mike Sellers graduated from North Thurston High School, and returns to Lacey in the off-season.