Lacey is a city in Thurston County, Washington, United States. The population was 42,393 at the 2010 census.
History[]
Lacey was originally called Woodland after settlers Isaac and Catherine Wood, who claimed land there in 1853. By 1891, the town of Woodland had a large enough population to apply for a post office. The request was denied because there was already a town called Woodland on the Columbia River. The name Lacey was chosen for the new post office application, presumably after O. C. Lacey, the local Justice of the Peace. The small settlements of Woodland and Chambers Prairie consolidated into Lacey in the 1950s. The city of Lacey was not officially incorporated until 1966. At the time, the main industries were cattle, milk, forest products, and retail. Lacey became a commuter town for Olympia, the military bases and to some extent, Tacoma; in the 1980s, however, business developments, community groups, and population growth have led Lacey to develop into a city in its own right.
Geography[]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.51 square miles (42.76 km2), of which, 16.06 square miles (41.60 km2) is land and 0.45 square miles (1.17 km2) is water.
To the north is the Beachcrest, Puget, South Bay, the Puget Sound, and Anderson Island. To the east is the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Union Mill, Kelly's Corner, Nisqually, Mock City, and DuPont. South is East Olympia, Fir Tree, Skookumchuk, Rainier, and Tenino. West is South Bay, Olympia, North Olympia, Boston Harbor, and Tumwater.
Climate[]
Lacey's climate is mild during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 70's and 60's and very cold during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 30's.
The warmest month of the year is August with an average maximum temperature of 77.00 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 31.80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature variations between night and day tend to be moderate during summer with a difference that can reach 27 degrees Fahrenheit, and fairly limited during winter with an average difference of 14 degrees Fahrenheit.
The annual average precipitation at Lacey is 50.79 Inches. Winter months tend to be wetter than summer months. The wettest month of the year is November with an average rainfall of 8.13 Inches.