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Area data

Lakewood center, WA — ZIP 98439

Population: 5,671 (Census ACS)

2 schools serve the area (NCES). FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall natural-hazard risk Relatively High, with avalanche, coldwave, earthquake the top-rated hazards. Cost of living is 7.0% above the US average (BEA, metro/state-level).

Backed by 25+ public sourcesFEMA · U.S. Census · NOAA · Dept. of Education · EPA · and more

Home values & appreciation

House Price Index (state)
596.1 (-1.0% YoY)

Sources: home value index (ZIP-level) · FHFA House Price Index (state-level)

Market activity

Median list price
$1.85M
Active listings
1

Source: recent area sales and market data (ZIP-level)

Rents

Studio fair-market rent
$1,491/mo
1BR fair-market rent
$1,682/mo
2BR fair-market rent
$2,064/mo
3BR fair-market rent
$2,849/mo
4BR fair-market rent
$3,219/mo

Sources: market rent index (ZIP-level) · HUD Fair Market Rents (metro/county-level, 40th-percentile regulatory reference)

Affordability

Cost of living index (Above Average)
107.0 (100 = US avg)
Electricity rate (state-level)
13.1¢/kWh
Natural gas rate (state-level)
$17.60/MCF
30-year mortgage rate (national)
7.40%
15-year mortgage rate (national)
6.73%

Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro/state-level) · EIA energy rates (state-level) · Freddie Mac PMMS (national)

Schools

Total schools
2
Elementary schools
1
Middle schools
0
High schools
0
Avg student-teacher ratio
14.6 : 1
Schools include
Carter Lake Elementary School, Special Education Services/relife

Source: NCES school directory, 2022-23 (school-address-based)

Natural hazards & flood risk

Overall hazard risk (county)
Relatively High
Top hazards (county)
avalanche, coldWave, earthquake, heatWave, iceStorm
Notable hazard ratings (county)
tornado: Relatively Low · tsunami: Relatively Low · coldWave: Relatively High · heatWave: Relatively High · iceStorm: Relatively High · wildfire: Relatively Low
FEMA flood zone
X
Flood risk level
Minimal
Wildfire risk to homes (county)
Higher than 74% of US counties
Buildings in wildfire direct-exposure zone
19.6%
Radon potential (county)
Low radon potential — EPA Zone 3 of 3
EPA Superfund (NPL) sites within 5 mi
3
Nearest Superfund site
Lakewood (0.7 mi)
EPA recommends radon testing for every home regardless of zone.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (county-level) · FEMA flood data (ZIP-level) · USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities (county-level) · EPA radon zones + Superfund NPL

Climate (30-year normals)

Annual precipitation
50.5 in
USDA plant hardiness zone
8b (extreme annual low 15 to 20°F)

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals (30-year, nearest-station) · USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)

Air quality

Air quality rating
Good
Median AQI (annual)
44
Days with Good air quality
267
Days with Moderate air quality
98
Highest AQI recorded (year)
100

Source: EPA air quality data (nearest monitoring station, annual)

Walkability & transit

Walkability index
12.2 / 20
Transit service frequency
321
Jobs reachable by car (30 min)
45,842
Jobs reachable by transit (45 min)
46,991

Source: EPA Smart Location Database (metropolitan block groups)

Amenities

National parks within ~60 mi
3
Nearest national park
Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park (33 mi)
National parks include
Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park, Wing Luke Museum Affiliated Area, Mount Rainier National Park
Airports within 30 mi
46
Nearest airport
McChord Air Force Base (TCM) (2 mi)
Nearest major airport
McChord Air Force Base (TCM) (2 mi)
Hospitals nearby (~15 mi)
33
Hospitals include
VIRGINIA MASON MEDICAL CENTER, HIGHLINE MEDICAL CENTER, MULTICARE AUBURN MEDICAL CENTER
Avg hospital rating (CMS)
3.4 / 5
Best hospital rating nearby (CMS)
5.0 / 5
Solar radiation rating
Poor (3.4 kWh/m²/day)

Sources: National Park Service · FAA airport data · CMS hospital data · DOE/NREL (proximity-based)

Migration

Net migration (county)
+242 tax filers

Source: IRS county-to-county migration data (county-level, ~12-month lag)

Housing stock

Median year housing built
1,979
Housing built before 1970
17.3%
Housing built 2000 or later
23.9%
Median annual property tax
$239
Mean commute to work
21 min
Households with broadband internet
75.1%

Source: Census ACS 5-year estimates (ZIP-level)

Employment & development

Total county employment
276,587
Average weekly wage
$1,356
Top industries (by employment)
Health Care, Accommodation & Food, Administrative Services
Annual residential building permits (county)
3,782

Sources: BLS QCEW (county-level) · Census Building Permits (county-level)

Area data compiled from public government, academic, and industry research feeds. Data sources →

Common questions

What is typical rent in ZIP 98439?
2-bedroom fair-market rent: $2,064/month (HUD FMR — a 40th-percentile regulatory reference, not market-observed).
What is the natural-hazard risk in ZIP 98439?
Overall risk: Relatively High (FEMA NRI, county-level). Top hazards: avalanche, coldWave, earthquake, heatWave, iceStorm.
Is ZIP 98439 in a flood zone?
Minimal (FEMA NFIP). FEMA flood zone X.
What is the wildfire risk in ZIP 98439?
Risk to homes is higher than 74% of US counties (USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities, county-level).
What is the radon potential in ZIP 98439?
Low radon potential — EPA Zone 3 of 3, county-level. EPA recommends testing every home regardless of zone.
Are there Superfund sites near ZIP 98439?
3 current or proposed National Priorities List sites within 5 miles (EPA). Nearest site: Lakewood, 0.7 mi.
How many schools serve ZIP 98439?
2 schools (1 elementary) (NCES, 2022-23).
Is ZIP 98439 walkable?
Walkability index: 12.2/20 (EPA Smart Location Database).
What is the air quality in ZIP 98439?
Good. Median AQI: 44. (EPA AQI).
What is the cost of living in ZIP 98439?
Regional Price Parity: 107.0 (100 = US average) (Above Average) (BEA RPP, metro/state-level).

Nearby ZIP codes

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Data last updated

Most recent source refresh: Oct 2026. See all data sources →

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