City profile · Washington · Census ACS 2023

Federal Way, WA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Federal Way - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

99,232
Residents
$82,144
Median income
$499,600
Median home
$1,971
Median rent (state)

Federal Way - the verdict

Nationally, Federal Way sits in the 64th percentile for household income and the 4th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

64th
percentile, household income
85th
percentile, home value
82nd
percentile, median rent
4th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Federal Way, WA

99,232 people live in Federal Way, Washington - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Federal Way brings in $82,144 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.8%. Federal Way's housing stock carries a median value of $499,600, and the median resident age is 37.6 years. 31.1% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 61.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 31 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 88% from five years earlier. Federal Way's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 4917.7 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Washington carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Washington at 107.0 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Above Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,971 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Washington's average monthly utility costs around $188 (state average). Commute times here average 28.4 minutes, with 68.0% driving alone and 12.5% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 98.5 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

99,232 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Washington

Median Household Income

$82,144 /yr

Poverty 9.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Washington average

How does Federal Way compare to other US cities?

Federal Way measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 64% higher than other cities
Home value 85% pricier than other cities
Median rent 82% pricier than other cities
Safety 4% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Washington and the picture shifts: Federal Way ranks #146 of 156 Washington cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Federal Way's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Washington, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

64thIncome percentile
4thSafety percentile

64th percentile nationally for median household income · 4th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Federal Way's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Federal Way's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 28 Avg. percentile National median
Federal Way's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Federal Way's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$499,600 15th percentile more affordable than 15% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Federal Way $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Federal Way, WA Federal Way, WA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Federal Way, WA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Federal Way, WA median $82,144/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Federal Way, WA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Federal Way, WA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 31.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 61.3%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
99,232
Median Income
$82,144
Median Home Value
$499,600
Median Age
37.6
Poverty Rate
9.8%
Labor force participation
61.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
31.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4917.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
545.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
4372.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
31
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
97,000 residents98,000 residents99,000 residents100,000 residents101,000 residents102,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 100,996 residents 99,729 residents ▼ -1.3%
Federal Way's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
31
housing units authorized
Single-Family
31
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 266
2020 35
2021 29
2022 474
2023 68
2024 31

Permit volume decreased 88% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
28.4 minutes
Drive Alone
68.0%
Carpool
11.3%
Public Transit
5.2%
Walk
1.5%
Work from Home
12.5%
Other
1.5%

Based on 46,969 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Washington - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$85
avg/month
Natural Gas
$48
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$55
avg/month
Total Utilities
$188
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Washington state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Washington state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Federal Way sits in

Cost of Living Index
107.0
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,971/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
98.5 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Washington

Yakima
96,810 people
Renton
105,279 people
Spokane Valley
105,460 people
Bellingham
92,367 people
Kirkland
91,614 people
Everett
111,083 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Federal Way's 99,232 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

St. George, UT
99,184 people
Kenosha, WI
99,147 people
Longmont, CO
98,958 people
San Angelo, TX
99,507 people
Boca Raton, FL
98,833 people
New Braunfels, TX
98,700 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Federal Way's $82,144 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Fayetteville, GA
$82,144 median income
Wildwood Crest, NJ
$82,143 median income
Kingston, RI
$82,143 median income
Rarity Bay, TN
$82,143 median income
Benbrook, TX
$82,148 median income
Cutler Bay, FL
$82,155 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Federal Way, WA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Federal Way, WA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 38.8% 17.8% 14.5% 10.2% 14.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 19.0% White 38.8% Black or African American 17.8% Asian 14.5% American Indian 0.9% Native Hawaiian 3.2% Some other race 10.2% Two or more races 14.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Federal Way compares to nearby Washington cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Federal Way (this city) 99,232 $82,144
Yakima 96,810 $59,228
Renton 105,279 $96,626
Spokane Valley 105,460 $70,722
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Federal Way, WA?

What is the population of Federal Way, WA? +

The population of Federal Way, WA stands at 99,232 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Federal Way, WA? +

Median annual household income in Federal Way runs $82,144, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Federal Way? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Federal Way; the closest available measure is the Washington state average, a cost of living index of 107.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Washington vary by metro area.

Is Federal Way, WA safe? +

Federal Way has a total crime rate of 4917.7 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Federal Way, WA? +

A typical home in Federal Way is worth $499,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.