Quick answer: Lacey is the largest city in Thurston County, with about 60,700 people, just east of Olympia along I-5. The typical home value was about $507,200 in September 2026, roughly the same as a year earlier, according to Zillow. Here’s what to know about living, buying and selling in Lacey, with sources for every number.
Updated November 2026. Our office is next door in Tumwater at 111 Tumwater Blvd SE, Suite A109.
Lacey at a glance
| Population | 60,720 (April 2026) |
| Population in 2020 | 53,526 (Census) |
| Typical home value | $507,213 (September 2026) |
| A year earlier | $506,964 (September 2025) |
| County | Thurston |
| School district | North Thurston Public Schools |
| Bus service | Intercity Transit |
“Typical home value” is Zillow’s estimate for a middle-priced home, not a sale price. For actual sales, see the Thurston County housing market page, which we update every month with official NWMLS numbers.
From Woodland to Lacey
Lacey sits on the traditional lands of the Nisqually and Squaxin Island Tribes, according to the Lacey Museum. When the railroad reached the farming community of Woodland in 1891, residents applied for a post office, but another Woodland post office already existed, so the name Lacey was chosen instead. Saint Martin’s opened here in 1895 and is now Saint Martin’s University.
Residents voted to incorporate in November 1966, and Lacey officially became a city that December. In 1990, the city annexed the Hawks Prairie area south of I-5, which doubled its size. Today it’s the most populous city in Thurston County, ahead of Olympia (58,630), according to the state’s April 2026 estimates.
Areas of Lacey
The Lacey Museum describes the city as three historic areas, from north to south: Hawks Prairie, Woodland and Chambers Prairie. The city’s lakes, including Long, Hicks and Pattison Lakes, were dotted with summer resorts during what the museum calls Lacey’s Resort Era (1910 to 1939).
Every street is different. If you’d like to compare two areas side by side, ask us and we’ll pull recent sales for both.
Schools and colleges
North Thurston Public Schools is based in Lacey and serves about 15,000 students.
- High schools: North Thurston, River Ridge and Timberline, plus choice schools
- Middle schools: Chinook, Komachin, Nisqually and Salish, plus the Aspire Performing Arts Academy (by application)
- Elementary: 13 elementary schools (PreK to grade 5)
- Colleges: Saint Martin’s University is in Lacey, and South Puget Sound Community College has a Lacey campus.
Which school a student attends depends on the home address, so always check a specific address with the district before you buy.
Parks, lakes and trails
- Long Lake Park: a 285-foot swimming beach, sand volleyball and picnic tables.
- Greg J. Cuoio Community Park: 139 acres developed so far, with about 3 miles of trails and a playground.
- Regional Athletic Complex (RAC): about 97 acres with five ball fields, six soccer/football/rugby fields and views of Mount Rainier.
- Karen Fraser Woodland Trail: a 2.2-mile paved path along Pacific Avenue through the center of Lacey.
- Huntamer Park: the downtown stage for summer concerts, outdoor movies and Children’s Day.
- Lacey Fireworks Spectacular: for over 60 years, Lacey has celebrated the Fourth a day early with a free fireworks show.
Getting around
- I-5 runs through Lacey. The city describes itself as sitting on the I-5 corridor between Seattle and Portland, just east of Olympia.
- Intercity Transit buses serve Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater and Yelm.
- Amtrak: the Olympia/Lacey Centennial Station is on the Amtrak Cascades line.
Buying a home in Lacey
- Know your payment first. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.24% on October 29, 2026, according to Freddie Mac. Get pre-approved so you know what fits before you tour.
- See new homes first. Set up new listing alerts, search every home for sale, or see homes that aren’t on Zillow yet.
- Check the address. Confirm the school, the commute and any HOA rules for the exact home, not just the city.
Selling a home in Lacey
- Start with a real number. A price based on recent sales near you matters more than a citywide average. Get a free home value.
- Know all your options. Some sellers want the highest price, others want speed and certainty. You can compare a cash offer with a traditional listing.
- Watch the county trend. In October 2026, Thurston County had more homes for sale than a year earlier, so pricing and preparation matter. See the latest county numbers.
Common questions
What is the average home price in Lacey, WA?
Zillow’s typical home value for Lacey was $507,213 in September 2026, about the same as $506,964 a year earlier. For actual sales across Thurston County, the median sale price was $520,000 in October 2026, according to NWMLS.
Is Lacey bigger than Olympia?
Yes. Washington’s Office of Financial Management estimated Lacey at 60,720 people and Olympia at 58,630 as of April 1, 2026, which makes Lacey the largest city in Thurston County.
What school district is Lacey in?
North Thurston Public Schools, which is based in Lacey. Its comprehensive high schools are North Thurston, River Ridge and Timberline. Always check the specific address with the district.
Is there public transportation in Lacey?
Yes. Intercity Transit runs buses in Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater and Yelm, and Amtrak Cascades stops at the Olympia/Lacey Centennial Station.
Nearby
Looking at neighboring cities too? See living in Olympia, living in Tumwater, living in Yelm and the Thurston County housing market.
Talk to a local agent
Thinking about buying or selling in Lacey? Call or text Steve Poulos, REALTOR® with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Northwest Home Team, at (360) 789-4921, visit our office at 111 Tumwater Blvd SE, Suite A109, or send us a message.
Sources
- Washington State Office of Financial Management, April 1, 2026 official population estimates
- Zillow Research, Zillow Home Value Index (Lacey city, all homes, September 2026)
- Lacey Museum, Learn About Lacey’s History
- City of Lacey, Economic Development; Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation, Parks, Trails, Regional Athletic Complex and Fireworks
- North Thurston Public Schools, At a Glance and Our Schools; Saint Martin’s University
- Intercity Transit; Amtrak Cascades, Olympia/Lacey station
- NWMLS monthly market recap, October 2026 (Thurston County median sale price)
- Freddie Mac, Primary Mortgage Market Survey, October 29, 2026
