Lacey sits along I-5 between Olympia and the Nisqually River, right next door to Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). It’s grown steadily for decades, and today it’s home to about 58,600 residents, making it the 24th most populous city in Washington state (U.S. Census Bureau).
Growth & Housing
– Lacey’s population has grown more than 40% since 2010, one of the faster growth rates in Thurston County (U.S. Census Bureau).
– The median home value in Lacey is around $516,000, with median rent near $1,870 a month (Zillow-sourced data via HomeSnacks).
– Lacey’s cost of living index runs about 1.2 times the national average, driven largely by housing (HomeSnacks).
Points of Interest & Community
– St. Martin’s University calls Lacey home, drawing students and families to the area year-round.
– Lacey borders Joint Base Lewis-McChord, one of the largest military installations on the West Coast, which means a steady stream of PCS moves in and out of the area.
– Neighborhoods like Hawks Prairie, Tanglewilde and South Bay give Lacey a mix of newer subdivisions and long-established communities.
Economic Trends
– Median household income in Lacey sits around $90,600, well above the statewide median (Point2Homes/Census data).
– State government employment out of nearby Olympia drives a meaningful share of local moves, as workers relocate for jobs on the Capital Campus.
A&E Relocation Services was recently named a bronze medal winner in The Olympian’s 2026 Best of South Sound contest in the moving services category, voted on by the same Lacey and South Sound neighbors we’ve served for over a century.
