Historically, the City of Lawndale has been a bedroom community of primarily single-family homes. However, between 1970 and 1990, many older single-family homes were replaced with duplexes and multiple-family projects of three or more units. At this point, the City is almost built out, with little remaining vacant land appropriate for residential development.
The change from single-family homes to duplexes, garden apartments, and condominiums has increased the densities and affected infrastructure, parking, and circulation. Replacement of older single-family units with higher density projects has occurred throughout the City.