Post-War Planned Community
About Lakewood, CA
Welcome to Lakewood, the Los Angeles County suburb that grew from a single post-war master-planned community into one of the region's classic mid-century neighborhoods.
Lakewood sits in southeastern Los Angeles County, roughly 21 miles south of downtown Los Angeles and a short drive from Long Beach and the Orange County line. The city is one of the defining products of Southern California's post–World War II housing boom. Developed almost entirely as a single master-planned community on former lima-bean farmland, it grew with such speed and scale that it earned the nickname "Instant City," with thousands of homes raised in the early 1950s to house a new generation of buyers. The same era produced Lakewood Center, an automobile-oriented shopping center that opened in 1952 and remains one of the largest retail centers in the United States by gross leasable area. Today Lakewood reads as a mature, largely residential suburb. Its streets are lined with the mid-century ranch and tract homes built during the 1950s, many carefully updated over the decades and shaded by the mature trees that have grown up alongside the city. More than twenty parks and recreation areas are distributed through the neighborhoods, anchoring block after block of quiet, walkable residential streets. The city is closely connected to neighboring Long Beach, Cerritos, and north Orange County for jobs, shopping, and entertainment. Lakewood's appeal rests on stability and convenience. Households value the classic suburban lot sizes, the well-maintained park system, and freeway access that puts downtown Los Angeles, the Long Beach waterfront, and Orange County employment centers within reach. The local school system, anchored by the Long Beach Unified School District, and the enduring presence of Lakewood Center at the city's commercial core keep Lakewood a practical, established choice for families and commuters in the greater Long Beach area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is Lakewood in?
Lakewood is in Los Angeles County, California. It sits in the southeastern part of the county, about 21 miles south of downtown Los Angeles and a short drive from Long Beach and the Orange County line.
What school district serves Lakewood?
Most of Lakewood is served by the Long Beach Unified School District, one of the largest school districts in California. The district educates students in Long Beach, Lakewood, Signal Hill, and Avalon on Catalina Island from pre-kindergarten through high school.
What is Lakewood known for?
Lakewood is known as one of the nation's first large post-World War II master-planned communities, built rapidly on former farmland and nicknamed the 'Instant City.' It is also home to Lakewood Center, opened in 1952, which remains one of the largest shopping centers in the United States.
What types of homes are found in Lakewood?
Lakewood's housing stock is dominated by mid-century ranch and tract homes built during the 1950s, many of them updated over the years. Lots are typically generous by Los Angeles County standards, and mature street trees give the neighborhoods a settled, leafy character.
City Guide
About Lakewood
Real Estate & Housing
Lakewood's housing stock is overwhelmingly a product of its post-war origins: mid-century ranch homes and tract houses built in the 1950s, many of them updated with modern kitchens and additions over the years. Lot sizes are typically generous by Los Angeles County standards, and mature street trees give established neighborhoods a settled, leafy character. A smaller share of newer infill construction and occasional new-build homes can be found on individual lots. The market leans toward single-family, owner-oriented living, with a stable, family-friendly profile and relatively modest turnover compared with faster-changing parts of the region.
Neighborhoods
Lakewood's residential fabric is organized around its parks and schools rather than dramatic boundaries. Neighborhoods such as Lakewood Park and Imperial Estates West are known for mature trees and convenient access to local parks and schools. The areas around Mayfair, Bolivar, and Del Valle parks anchor family-oriented blocks with easy access to recreation. Because the city was planned as a whole, the neighborhoods share a consistent mid-century character, distinguished mainly by proximity to Lakewood Center, the 605 and 91 freeways, and the Long Beach border to the south and west.
Lifestyle in Lakewood
Daily life in Lakewood centers on its parks, schools, and the long-standing Lakewood Center shopping district. The city's recreation programs, community events, and neighborhood parks give it a small-town rhythm within a dense urban county. Residents are minutes from the retail and dining corridors of Long Beach and Cerritos, and the nearby Long Beach waterfront adds a coastal option for weekends. The overall pace is suburban and family-oriented, with a strong sense of continuity among long-term homeowners and a steady influx of buyers drawn to the city's classic Southern California character.
Schools & Education
Most of Lakewood is served by the Long Beach Unified School District, one of the largest school districts in California, which educates students across Long Beach, Lakewood, Signal Hill, and Avalon on Catalina Island. The district's schools serve the city from pre-kindergarten through high school. Families can also find private and parochial options nearby. The presence of a large, established district with neighborhood schools is a central part of Lakewood's appeal for households with school-age children.
Getting Around
Lakewood is well positioned for freeway commuting, with Interstates 605 and 91 intersecting near the city and connecting residents to downtown Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Orange County employment centers. The city sits about 21 miles south of downtown Los Angeles and a short drive from the Long Beach waterfront and airport. Public transit options include regional bus service, with the broader Long Beach and Los Angeles transit networks accessible from nearby corridors. The automobile-oriented street grid reflects the city's mid-century planned origins.
Parks & Recreation
Lakewood maintains more than twenty parks and recreation areas, including the well-known Mayfair, Bolivar, and Del Valle parks, which provide playgrounds, sports fields, and community gathering spaces. The city's recreation programs and facilities support youth and adult sports, classes, and seasonal events. Lakewood Center offers shopping, dining, and entertainment within the city, while the nearby Long Beach coastline, El Dorado Park, and regional attractions in Orange County expand the range of weekend activities available to residents.
MARKET SNAPSHOT
The Market at a Glance
How homes have been selling here over the last 90 days.
Price & Sales History
Market data reflects closed sales over the last 90 days and is provided for informational purposes.
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Zip Codes
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