Lakewood, Colorado
Encyclopedia
Lakewood is a Home Rule Municipality that is the most populous city in Jefferson County
, Colorado
, United States
. Lakewood is the fifth most populous city
in the State of Colorado
and the 172nd most populous city in the United States
. The United States Census Bureau
estimates that in April 1, 2010 census the population of the City of Lakewood was 142,980 . Lakewood is west of Denver and is part of the Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Before incorporation in 1969, Lakewood was a community with policing provided by the Jefferson County Sheriff, a volunteer fire service, and with few street lights and sidewalks. The City of Lakewood was incorporated
in 1969. At the time of incorporation the city population was already over 90,000.
The urban/suburban development of the community known as Lakewood was begun in 1889 by Charles Welch and W.A.H. Loveland, who platted a 13-block area along Colfax Avenue
west of Denver in eastern Jefferson County
. Loveland, the former president of the Colorado Central Railroad
, retired to the new community of Lakewood after many years of living in nearby Golden
.
Lakewood also houses Lakewood High School, an International Baccalaureate school in Jefferson County
. Alameda High School is also an International Baccalaureate school . Lakewood is also home to Colorado Christian University
.
was 3,465.3 people per square mile (1,338.0/km²). There were 62,422 housing units at an average density of 1,500.8/sq.mi. (579.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.15% White, 1.48% African American, 1.11% Native American, 2.72% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 4.88% from other races
, and 2.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.54% of the population.
There were 60,531 households, out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples
living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.7% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $48,109, and the median income for a family was $57,171. Males had a median income of $39,800 versus $31,128 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $25,575. About 4.8% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 42.5 square miles (110.0 km²), of which 41.6 square miles (107.7 km², 97.95%) is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km², 2.05%) is water.
Lakewood experiences a semi-arid climate (Köppen
BSk) featuring cold, snowy winters and warm to hot summers, with great temperature differences between seasons and between day and night. Precipitation is concentrated in the spring and summer months.
Until 1969, the area known as Lakewood had no municipal government, relying instead on several water districts
, several fire districts
, and the government of Jefferson County
. However, the community had already existed for about 80 years.
Lakewood maintains a council/manager form of government. Citizens elect a City Council consisting of the Mayor, who is elected at-large, and 10 City Council members, two from each of the city's five geographical wards. The mayor and the council members assert the policies for the operation of the city government.
As of 2011, the Mayor is Bob Murphy. The Council members representing the first ward are Vicki Stack and Karen Kellen, Scott Koop and Cindy Baroway represent the second ward, Sue King and Ed Peterson represent the third ward, David Wiechman and Adam Paul represent the fourth ward, and the fifth ward is represented by Diana Allen and Tom Quinn.
, as designated by Sister Cities International
:,
Chester
, Cheshire
, United Kingdom
, Portsmouth
, Hampshire
, United Kingdom
, also a Friendship City Stade
, Germany
Sutherland Shire
, Sydney
, New South Wales
, Australia
employs about 6,200 people and The Jefferson County R-1 school district employs 3,930. CaridianBCT, a medical devices manufacturer, employs 1,654 people.
which is near I-70 and Colfax Avenue.
Jefferson County, Colorado
Jefferson County , whose slogan is the "Gateway to the Rocky Mountains", is the fourth most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. Located along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Jefferson County is adjacent to the west side of the state capital, Denver....
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Lakewood is the fifth most populous city
Colorado municipalities
The U.S. state of Colorado currently has 271 active incorporated municipalities, including 196 towns, 73 cities, and two consolidated city and county governments.-Municipal government:...
in the State of Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
and the 172nd most populous city in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
estimates that in April 1, 2010 census the population of the City of Lakewood was 142,980 . Lakewood is west of Denver and is part of the Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Before incorporation in 1969, Lakewood was a community with policing provided by the Jefferson County Sheriff, a volunteer fire service, and with few street lights and sidewalks. The City of Lakewood was incorporated
Municipal corporation
A municipal corporation is the legal term for a local governing body, including cities, counties, towns, townships, charter townships, villages, and boroughs. Municipal incorporation occurs when such municipalities become self-governing entities under the laws of the state or province in which...
in 1969. At the time of incorporation the city population was already over 90,000.
The urban/suburban development of the community known as Lakewood was begun in 1889 by Charles Welch and W.A.H. Loveland, who platted a 13-block area along Colfax Avenue
Colfax Avenue
Colfax Avenue is the main street that runs east–west through the Denver-Aurora metropolitan area in Colorado. As U.S. Highway 40, it was one of two principal highways serving Denver before the Interstate Highway System was constructed. In the local street system, it lies 15 blocks north of the zero...
west of Denver in eastern Jefferson County
Jefferson County, Colorado
Jefferson County , whose slogan is the "Gateway to the Rocky Mountains", is the fourth most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. Located along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Jefferson County is adjacent to the west side of the state capital, Denver....
. Loveland, the former president of the Colorado Central Railroad
Colorado Central Railroad
The Colorado Central Railroad was a U.S. railroad company that operated in Colorado and southeastern Wyoming in the late 19th century. Originally founded in the Colorado Territory in the wake of the Colorado Gold Rush to ship gold from the mountains, it eventually expanded from its initial...
, retired to the new community of Lakewood after many years of living in nearby Golden
Golden, Colorado
The City of Golden is a home rule municipality that is the county seat of Jefferson County, Colorado, United States. Golden lies along Clear Creek at the edge of the foothills of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Founded during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush on 16 June 1859, the mining camp was...
.
Lakewood also houses Lakewood High School, an International Baccalaureate school in Jefferson County
Jefferson County, Colorado
Jefferson County , whose slogan is the "Gateway to the Rocky Mountains", is the fourth most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. Located along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Jefferson County is adjacent to the west side of the state capital, Denver....
. Alameda High School is also an International Baccalaureate school . Lakewood is also home to Colorado Christian University
Colorado Christian University
Colorado Christian University is a private, interdenominational Christian liberal arts university in Lakewood, Colorado in the United States...
.
Demographics
As of 2000, there were 144,126 people; 60,531 households; and 36,500 families residing in the city. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 3,465.3 people per square mile (1,338.0/km²). There were 62,422 housing units at an average density of 1,500.8/sq.mi. (579.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.15% White, 1.48% African American, 1.11% Native American, 2.72% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 4.88% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.54% of the population.
There were 60,531 households, out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.7% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $48,109, and the median income for a family was $57,171. Males had a median income of $39,800 versus $31,128 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $25,575. About 4.8% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.
Geography and climate
Lakewood is located at 39°42′23"N 105°6′10"W.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 42.5 square miles (110.0 km²), of which 41.6 square miles (107.7 km², 97.95%) is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km², 2.05%) is water.
Lakewood experiences a semi-arid climate (Köppen
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
BSk) featuring cold, snowy winters and warm to hot summers, with great temperature differences between seasons and between day and night. Precipitation is concentrated in the spring and summer months.
Municipal government
Special-purpose district
Special-purpose districts or special district governments in the United States are independent governmental units that exist separately from, and with substantial administrative and fiscal independence from, general purpose local governments such as county, municipal, and township governments. As...
, several fire districts
Special-purpose district
Special-purpose districts or special district governments in the United States are independent governmental units that exist separately from, and with substantial administrative and fiscal independence from, general purpose local governments such as county, municipal, and township governments. As...
, and the government of Jefferson County
Jefferson County, Colorado
Jefferson County , whose slogan is the "Gateway to the Rocky Mountains", is the fourth most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. Located along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Jefferson County is adjacent to the west side of the state capital, Denver....
. However, the community had already existed for about 80 years.
Lakewood maintains a council/manager form of government. Citizens elect a City Council consisting of the Mayor, who is elected at-large, and 10 City Council members, two from each of the city's five geographical wards. The mayor and the council members assert the policies for the operation of the city government.
As of 2011, the Mayor is Bob Murphy. The Council members representing the first ward are Vicki Stack and Karen Kellen, Scott Koop and Cindy Baroway represent the second ward, Sue King and Ed Peterson represent the third ward, David Wiechman and Adam Paul represent the fourth ward, and the fifth ward is represented by Diana Allen and Tom Quinn.
State representation
Almost the entirety of the City of Lakewood falls into Colorado House District 26. Lakewood is represented in the state House by Rep. Andy Kerr.Sister cities
Lakewood has four sister citiesTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
, as designated by Sister Cities International
Sister Cities International
Sister Cities International is a nonprofit citizen diplomacy network that creates and strengthens partnerships between United States and international communities. More than 2,000 cities, states and counties are partnered in 136 countries around the world...
:,
ChesterChester
Chester is a city in Cheshire, England. Lying on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales, it is home to 77,040 inhabitants, and is the largest and most populous settlement of the wider unitary authority area of Cheshire West and Chester, which had a population of 328,100 according to the...
, Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
,
PortsmouthPortsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
, Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, also a Friendship City Stade
Stade
Stade is a city in Lower Saxony, Germany and part of the Hamburg Metropolitan Region . It is the seat of the district named after it...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Sutherland Shire
Sutherland Shire
The Sutherland Shire is a Local Government Area in the Southern Sydney region of Sydney, Australia. Geographically, it is the area to the south of Botany Bay and the Georges River...
, Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
Economy
Lakewood's economy is diverse while the largest employers are government. The Denver Federal CenterDenver Federal Center
Denver Federal Center is located in Lakewood, Colorado and is the home to about 6,200 employees for many Federal government of the United States agencies. The Denver Federal Center encompasses an area of about and has 90 buildings comprising over of office, warehouse, lab and special use space...
employs about 6,200 people and The Jefferson County R-1 school district employs 3,930. CaridianBCT, a medical devices manufacturer, employs 1,654 people.
Culture and contemporary life
Lakewood never had a traditional downtown area. West Colfax Ave from Harlan west to Kipling and beyond had most commercial establishment. In addition to the Jewish Consumptive Relief Society (JCRS) for TB patients and the small frame Methodist Church, there emerged by the 1950s grocery and drug stores, gas stations, restaurants & taverns, several motels, a movie theater, roller rink and bowling alley, and used car lots. Several multi-business "shopping centers" developed followed by much larger centers at JCRS and Westland. The Villa Italia Mall on Alameda Boulevard, twenty blocks south of Colfax, reflected the southward expansion of Lakewood settlement and housed a larger concentration of retail space. As the mall went into decline, the Lakewood City Council developed a plan to demolish the Villa Italia Mall and replace it with a new development called Belmar.Shopping
In addition to the Belmar retail district, Lakewood has a shopping mall called Colorado MillsColorado Mills
Colorado Mills is a shopping mall placed in Lakewood, Colorado. The mall has 10 anchor stores and it also has some restaurants, including casual dining and regular restaurants, and some entertainment facilities. The mall has 91 stores altogether. Walking one full circuit around the mall's main...
which is near I-70 and Colfax Avenue.
Landmarks
Landmarks and historical points of interest include:- The old Lakewood school complex at Wadsworth Blvd and 10th Avenue. The old building facing Wadsworth was the Lakewood Grade School dating from the 1920s.
- Harley-Davidson dealership on Colfax Ave. is housed in what was originally the Lakewood movie theater dating from the early 1950s.
- The old Villa Italia Mall has been replaced by Belmar, a new town center with a mix of retail, residential, cultural, and public space. The Laboratory of Art and Ideas at BelmarThe Laboratory of Art and Ideas at BelmarThe Laboratory of Art and Ideas at Belmar was a unique contemporary art institution located in Lakewood, a suburb on the western boundary of Denver, Colorado. Founded by Executive Director Adam Lerner, The Lab at Belmar was the cultural anchor of the Belmar district, a mixed-use residential and...
was located in Belmar until May 2009, and that location is now occupied by the Colorado Campus of The Ohio Center for Broadcasting, a private trade school for the radio and television industry. Belmar has a designated Arts District that houses a number of artist studios and several gallery spaces. Also located in the Arts District is Working with Artists, a nonprofit fine art photography school.
- Casa BonitaCasa BonitaCasa Bonita is a chain of Mexican-themed "eatertainment" restaurants which originated in Oklahoma City. As of 2011, only one location remains open, in the western Denver suburb of Lakewood, Colorado....
, a local Mexican restaurant in Lakewood, where a South ParkSouth ParkSouth Park is an American animated television series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the Comedy Central television network. Intended for mature audiences, the show has become famous for its crude language, surreal, satirical, and dark humor that lampoons a wide range of topics...
episodeCasa Bonita (South Park episode)"Casa Bonita" is the 11th episode of the 7th season of Comedy Central's South Park. It revolves around Eric Cartman's plots to get to a popular Mexican restaurant known as Casa Bonita, which is a fairly accurate representation of an actual theme restaurant in Colorado. The episode originally aired...
took place.
- Denver Federal CenterDenver Federal CenterDenver Federal Center is located in Lakewood, Colorado and is the home to about 6,200 employees for many Federal government of the United States agencies. The Denver Federal Center encompasses an area of about and has 90 buildings comprising over of office, warehouse, lab and special use space...
is the largest concentration of Federal agencies outside of Washington, DC.
- Lakewood Cultural CenterLakewood Cultural CenterThe Lakewood Cultural Center is a regional theatre and arts venue located in Lakewood, Colorado.The space is and opened in Fall 2000. It includes a 310-seat auditorium, community room, gallery/exhibit space, gift shop, classrooms and lobby space...
features a theater, gallery space, and art classrooms.
- Lakewood Heritage Center is a museum with several historic buildings and is located near Kountze Lake, which formerly housed the Belmar Mansion.
See also
- Colorado municipalitiesColorado municipalitiesThe U.S. state of Colorado currently has 271 active incorporated municipalities, including 196 towns, 73 cities, and two consolidated city and county governments.-Municipal government:...
- Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area
- Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical AreaDenver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical Areathumb|300px|Map of the 12-county Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical AreaThe Denver-Aurora-Boulder, CO Combined Statistical Area is a United States Census Bureau defined Combined Statistical Area located in the Denver region of the state of Colorado...
- Front Range Urban CorridorFront Range Urban CorridorThe Front Range Urban Corridor is an oblong region of urban population located along the eastern face of the Southern Rocky Mountains in the U.S. states of Colorado and Wyoming. The corridor derives its name from the Front Range, the mountain range that defines the west central boundary of the...
- Jefferson County, ColoradoJefferson County, ColoradoJefferson County , whose slogan is the "Gateway to the Rocky Mountains", is the fourth most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. Located along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Jefferson County is adjacent to the west side of the state capital, Denver....
- State of Colorado