Often considered an extension of Olympia, Lacey is a city in its own right. “It’s not as artsy as Olympia. It’s more downhome and family-friendly,” says Debbi Boyd with Real Estate of the South Sound, a local broker since 2001. “You see more kids fairs and events where you can take the whole family, and we have more neighborhood parks.” Lacey has nearly 6,000 trees on its streets and over 1,200 acres of green space. Additionally, its position on South Puget Sound means that wetlands and lakes are often a short drive away. Of its roughly 55,000 residents, some have been here for years, while others have moved recently from out of state. Service members often live in Lacey too since Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) is about 20 miles east.
Cozy, colorful tree lined streets of Lacey WA area.
Don't miss out on delicious drinks at Ebony & Ivory Coffee in downtown Lacey WA.
Enjoy beauty all around you when living in the Indian Summer residential area.
Plenty of bus stops to go around in Lacey WA.
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Exploring Puget Sound and local lakes, Regional Athletic Complex
While not quite as waterfront as Olympia, Lacey has quick access to South Sound and its wetlands. Nisqually Reach, one of many waterways here, is on the city’s north side, and Tolmie State Park is a 105-acre green space on the shoreline. Anderson Island is visible from the park’s rocky beaches and saltwater marshes. Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is on the city’s east side with boardwalk trails and over 275 bird species. Lacey also has two large lakes, Long Lake and Hicks Lake, on its south side, and several other lakes are nearby. Regional Athletic Complex is nearby with five baseball fields, three basketball half-courts and six soccer fields. “A lot of kids play soccer there, even during the winter,” Boyd says. “People come in for tournaments and competitions, too, and it can get pretty busy.”
Stop by Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge in the Lacey area.
A common sight to see at Hicks Lake in The Lakes WA.
The Lakes offers waterfront property along all of the lakes.
Long Lake offers stunning views and waterfront property in The Lakes WA.
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Family-oriented events in Lacey
The Lacey Spring Fun Fair, held in May at Saint Martin’s University, has been a tradition since 1988. It includes bounce houses, carnival rides, kids' games, food vendors and other attractions. Thurston County Fairgrounds are on the city’s west side, and they have animal, agricultural and craft exhibits in late July. About 5 miles south of Lacey, the Olympia Regional Airport hosts the Olympic Airshow in June, featuring historic planes from the World War II era.
Schilters Farm offers a fall festival every October of the year in Lacey WA area.
Kids climb haystack pyramid at Schilters Family Farm just outside Nisqually Indian Community.
Don't forget the corn maze while visiting Shilters Family Farm near Nisqually Indian Community.
Enjoy the outdoor area of Shilters Farm Harvest Festival in Lacey WA area.
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High grades for North Thurston Public Schools
North Thurston Public School District serves this area and gets a B-plus from Niche. It’s the most diverse district in Thurston County, ahead of six others. Aspire Performing Arts Academy, rated an A-minus, is a lottery school for grades six through eight, and extracurriculars range from chess to choir. Saint Martin’s University is a private institution in central Lacey, established in 1895.
Salish Middle School serves the Edgewater students in the Lacey area of Washington.
North Thurston High School has an enrollment of 1,440 students.
Olympic View Elementary School has a 23:1 student-teacher ratio.
Chinook Middle School has a total enrollment of 934 students.
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Prices similar to Olympia and Tacoma, new development
At $500,000, Lacey’s median sale price is roughly the same as neighboring Olympia and Tacoma. Still, it’s about $350,000 cheaper than Seattle. One- and two-story homes cover most of the area, priced similarly to the median. However, manufactured homes toward Central Lacey can go for $50,000, while waterfront estates in The Lakes neighborhood can reach $2 million. “You know you’re in Olympia because of the historic buildings. When you get to Lacey, everything’s newer, and you can have developments anywhere from 25 to 2,500 homes,” Boyd says. Built in the 2000s and onward, new builds concentrate on the city’s northern and southern sides. They’re typically in Hawks Prairie, Horizons and other neighborhoods.
Spacious home with grand façades, & elegant landscaping in the Lacey area.
Colorful homes line the streets of Lacey WA area.
Stunning craftsmen style brick home with fall colors in the Lacey WA area.
Many of the beach front properties offer a dock for the boat along Long Lake in Lacey area.
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Shopping and dining in South Sound Center, Producer District
Tourists often check out Downtown Olympia’s murals and galleries, but Lacey has commercial centers of its own. On the city’s west side, South Sound Center has big box stores, and locally owned restaurants are nearby along Pacific Avenue. The Producer’s District, on the city’s north side, holds industrial warehouses and distribution centers, but it also has a few breweries and wineries. Sports complexes are here too, such as Archery World and Cirque Climbing. Just south of this area, Martin Way is another commercial corridor with grocers and additional restaurants.
Looking for a spot to get your homework done? Starbucks has you covered in the Lacey area.
Multiple shops to peruse on Sleater Kinney in Lacey WA.
Don't forget the candy deals at Target in Lacey WA.
You can get most things at Target in Lacey WA.
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Rain and clouds, crime levels in Lacey
Lacey’s climate is typical of the Pacific Northwest. It gets about 50 inches of annual rain, 20 inches more than the national average, and has about 230 cloudy days per year. The rainiest, cloudiest months are November to January, but summers are sunny and clear. Wildfire smoke can cover the region during this time, carried in from the Cascade Mountains.
In 2023, Lacey had a monthly average of 66 violent offenses per 100,000 people. That’s much less than state and national rates. Its monthly average for property crimes was 245 per 100,000 people, aligning with the state rate but much higher than the national one.
Salish Middle School serves the Edgewater students in the Lacey area of Washington.
The picturesque downtown Olympia Heritage Park is the place to get your walk in.
Gateway Park in Edgewater area offers amazing views and space to play.
Horizon Pointe residents can catch beautiful sunsets just minutes away at the boat harbor.
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Commuting to Olympia, JBLM via Interstate 5
Interstate 5 is Lacey’s major thoroughfare, and it can back up with traffic during rush hour. It goes about 5 miles west to Downtown Olympia and about 20 miles east to Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Tumwater and Tacoma are also along this freeway, but Intercity Transit operates several bus routes to these neighboring areas. Lacey also has the Amtrak Cascades rail that goes roughly 60 miles to Seattle and 120 miles to Portland.
Getting around on bike is the go to in The Lakes area of Lacey WA.
The Intercity transit is there to help in Lacey WA.
The Intercity Transit is a free bus system for the community of Horizon Pointe and beyond.
Tanglewilde residents can utilize the Centennial Station for Amtrak and local bus rides.
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Written By
Matt Medl
Photography Contributed By
William King
Video By
Anne Sheridan
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jeff Pollock,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Lacey, WA sell after 44 days on the market compared to the national average of 58 days. The median sale price for homes in Lacey, WA over the last 12 months is $515,000, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Don’t miss this charming 4-bedroom, 1.75-bath Lake Forest home, perfectly blending comfort, warmth, and convenience. The main floor welcomes you with a cozy living room featuring a wood-burning stove—an ideal spot to gather on cool evenings—alongside a spacious kitchen, dining area, three comfortable bedrooms, and a full bath. The primary suite offers its own 3/4 bath and a sliding glass door
Immaculate 3 bedroom home in Lacey's Kensington neighborhood featuring main floor primary suite! This home has been lovingly maintained and is loaded with desirable features. You're welcomed into the spacious living room with laminate hardwood flooring and a gas fireplace. Vaulted ceilings and large upper windows flood the space with natural light. The living room opens to the dining room, which
Welcome to MOREL MEADOWS, an exciting new home community in the heart of Lacey offering modern comfort, thoughtful design, and exceptional convenience. The FIR floor plan showcases open-concept living perfect for entertaining and everyday functionality. The spacious main level features durable laminate flooring, paint-grade cabinetry, elegant white millwork and doors, stainless steel appliances,
Step into this beautifully updated rambler featuring a smart split-bedroom design & an inviting open-concept layout that's perfect for both relaxing and entertaining. From the moment you walk in, you'll love the spacious feel and seamless flow of the main living areas. Cozy up by the gas fireplace on crisp evenings, or unwind in your private primary suite complete with a double vanity, soaking
Financing Available on this well cared for Energy Star Certified Home with power producing SOLAR and fruit producing gardens. Come visit, you will enjoy the parklike setting of owner occupied Lakeview Meadows a 55+ community and explore the opportunity to own this 4 bedroom home with den. Use each room to your liking-Crafts-Office-Library and tons of extra storage...bring everything. This quality
Own a piece of paradise on Beautiful LONG LAKE! Priced under assessed value~ An exceptional value for waterfront living! Whether your new vacation spot, main residence or as an income producing Air BNB, everyone will enjoy life to the fullest on this hard-to-find RECREATIONAL lake that allows motorized crafts. Live life large in this 4,208-sf bright & airy home with SW exposure, a wraparound
Rare corner-lot home in the desirable Horizon Pointe neighborhood, offering both privacy and convenient access to the community park, with an easy 20-minute commute to JBLM. This well-maintained four-bedroom home features laminate hardwood flooring throughout. The eat-in kitchen is beautifully updated with new quartz countertops, a stone backsplash, gas range, and pantry for added storage. The
Beautifully reimagined, turnkey custom home in the highly sought-after 55+ Jubilee community, ideally situated on a private lane along the golf course. This fully updated residence showcases new hardwood flooring, LED lighting, custom millwork, & a striking stone accent wall with a 52" linear gas fireplace. Six new skylights & expansive windows fill the home with natural light, complemented by
This Beautifully appointed corner-lot home featuring the popular Shea “Nice” floor plan and a stunning European courtyard-inspired backyard. Thoughtful upgrades throughout include engineered hardwood flooring, upgraded millwork, and central A/C. The private den offers Berber carpet, a built-in desk, and glass French doors with a transom window, creating an ideal home office or flex space. The
Affordable homeownership opportunity just 1 block away from the Chehalis Trail. This light filled 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom charmer offers just under 1,000 sqft with vaulted ceilings, open concept layout, and generously sized bedrooms. Fresh laminate flooring throughout, move-in ready condition. Located in a friendly community with playground areas, close to shopping and dining. Stop renting and
Tucked into a quiet private cul-de-sac, this beautifully maintained home offers comfort, convenience, and flexible living space in the heart of Lacey. Enjoy quick access to shopping, restaurants, coffee, schools, parks, and I-5, making daily life effortless. The spacious layout features a large bedroom + office combo perfect for remote work, hobbies, or multi-use living. The bright kitchen flows
Tucked in a desirable Lacey location, this charming 3 bed, 2.25 bath home offers 1820sq ft of living space and backs up to tranquil open space with easy access to the Woodland Trail. Inside, you will find both living and family rooms on the main floor, plus a versatile loft upstairs perfect for work, play or relaxation. Oversized primary bedroom upstairs features vaulted ceiling and large walk-in
Two-bedroom, 2-bath mobilehome in Lacy. Bank-owned. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE TO THE VALIDITY OF INFORMATION. BUYER TO VERIFY ALL INFORMATION WHEREIN. Interior inspections are not available; do not trespass!
Freshly updated and priced to sell—this is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for! This well-cared-for 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offers nearly 1,800 sq ft of stylish, move-in ready living. Soaring ceilings and abundant natural light highlight the main level, complemented by updated laminate wood flooring that flows seamlessly through the main floor, staircase, and upper level. The spacious
Welcome to this beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath, 2,211 sq. ft. home in the heart of Lacey! This spacious home offers comfort, convenience, and fresh updates throughout. Step inside to find brand-new carpet, abundant natural light, and generously sized living areas perfect for relaxing or entertaining. The main floor features an open layout, while the large second-floor loft provides
Welcome to The Marq on Martin Apartments, a vibrant apartment community located in the heart of Lacey, Washington. Offering a blend of modern comfort and convenience, our studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartment homes feature stylish finishes such as stainless-steel appliances, wood-inspired flooring, and private patios or balconies. Enjoy resort-style amenities like our seasonal pool, year-round
Military Discount 5% $100 Security Deposit OACFREE INTERNET & CABLE TV !Pet Spa is now Open! There is no charge to use the pet spa! Residents can bring furry family members for an easy wash and dry!Welcome to Lacey Park Apartments! Conveniently located near shopping, pharmacy, food centers, schools, a main bus line, and a trail head. We are comfortably tucked back in a
Arrow's cozy, residential location in Lacey offers both a sense of seclusion and community connectivity, with various everyday conveniences just a short distance away. From dining and shopping to beautiful waterfront parks, woodland hikes, and extensive nature preserves, you'll have access to everything you need to enjoy an active and fulfilling lifestyle.
Welcome to Callen Apartments, where convenience, style, and comfort meet! Residents at Callen have the convenience of being centrally located with easy access to the freeway and Olympia, DuPont and Tacoma, while still being situated far enough from the main road to enjoy the peace and quiet of a secluded neighborhood. Being just blocks away from shopping (Safeway, Wal-Mart, Costco, etc.) makes
Thanks for checking out Switchback Apartments. We are a locally owned and professionally managed newly constructed community in Lacey, WA. Switchback is conveniently located near Cabela’s, Tolmie State Park, Costco and an abundance of shopping and dining opportunities. Our 1- and 2-bedroom units are a great value featuring quartz countertops, luxury vinyl plank flooring, stainless steel
Settled within the nature-rich city of Lacey, Washington, the new garden-style apartments at The Elowen offer a cozy, homey vibe while keeping residents close to the action. Surrounded by towering trees and lush greenery, this charming community feels like a personal hideaway but is just minutes from all the conveniences of city life. Our new and exciting community of one, two, and three-bedroom
Experience the perfect blend of quality, comfort, and convenience in our selection of brand-new and classic cozy apartments and townhomes for rent. Choose from thoughtfully designed one, two, and three-bedroom floor plans to suit your lifestyle.Our Brand-New Homes feature: ceiling fans for year-round comfort, a fully equipped kitchen with stainless steel appliances, solid surface
Offering fabulous new Lacey, WA apartments for rent! Our pet-friendly studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments are perfectly appointed, with in-demand features and upgraded amenities like full-size washers and dryers, quartz countertops, and stainless steel appliances, while our resident clubhouse with fitness center, complimentary coffee, and an outdoor pool are perfect for relaxing and
Fully Remodeled 2BR, 1BA Apartment | In-Unit W/D | Walk to Shopping | Easy I-5 AccessQuiet location off Sleater Kinney Rd Lacey/Olympia AreaBe the first to live in this completely remodeled, like-new bottom-floor unit featuring modern upgrades throughout and a highly convenient location.This home offers a bright, clean, and functional layout with premium finishes designed
Home should feel comfortable, it should feel spacious, and it should be a place you are proud to gather with friends. At The Dakota Apartments in Lacey, your home is here. Our light-filled interiors provide an intelligent spin on comfortable living. Warm tones couple with stylish details that take living in the Pacific Northwest to the next level. Our pet-friendly one and two bedroom apartment
At Capitol City Apartments in Lacey, Washington, you have big choices when it comes to your active leisure time: swimming, golfing or working out and afterwards relaxing in the spa. Comfort and style continue in your home. Many of the one, two and three bedroom homes offer Mount Rainier or lush golf course views. Complementary comforts include a custom tiled fireplace with a handsome mantel, the
Pacific Place is a luxury, gated community featuring ATTACHED GARAGES to our one, one plus den, and two bedroom apartment homes in Olympia, WA Our standards are exceptional, and our designs create the environment of having your very own home. Large picture windows let light flood our open and bright designs. Our superb location is close to dining, shopping, parks, JBLM, and Olympia. Expect the
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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