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Federal Way, WA

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Federal Way, WA

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Demographics

DiverseSimpson's Diversity Index: 79
Population99,232
Foreign Born15.4%
Population Density4,447people per mi²
Median Age37.6 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
ChangingSince 2010, this city has seen significant changes in racial and ethnic composition in a short time.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
A-
Great

A high quality of life with strong walkability, manageable living costs, healthy neighborhood signals, and solid amenity access.

Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.

Cost of Living

161/100

61% above national average

C+

The Real Cost of Living in Federal Way, Washington

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $28k$52k
Comfortable $93k$137k
Luxury $137k+$212k+
Elite (Top 5%) $161k+$250k+
Affordability Ratio

60%

The Hood Index™

A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.

A+
Hood Index scan area
Luxury Lean93%
RisksNeutralGrowth
Premium
40
Positive
37
Poor
2
Negative
6

Groceries

1 within 10 miles

7.8mi

Gas

0 within 10 miles

Hospital

3 within 20 miles

18.5mi

Airport

SEA — Seattle-Tacoma International

8.7mi

Post Office

USPS — Auburn, WA

4mi

Critical Amenities

Golf4Nearest 5.1 mi
Camping20Nearest 3.7 mi
Marina6Nearest 5 mi
Winery0 
Ice Rink0Nearest 22.8 mi
Gun Range3Nearest 0.8 mi

Affluence Level

Overall Affluence Grade
C-
Average

A middle-class area roughly in line with national averages across income, home values, education, and employment.

Median HHI
$82k+2.2%
9% above US avg
Est. Avg Net Worth
$1.1M
73% above US avg
College Educated
31.1%
11% below US avg
WFH
12.5%
13% below US avg
Homeownership
55.7%
15% below US avg
Median Home
$500k
77% above US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
D+
Elevated

Higher crime rates than 63% of comparable U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
30.1
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
−41.2%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr−36.3%
Homicide
0.08 / 1k Residents196% above state avg
Robbery
0.70 / 1k Residents45% above state avg
Aggravated Assault
2.17 / 1k Residents20% above state avg

Property Crime

5yr−46.1%
Burglary
2.47 / 1k Residents16% below state avg
Larceny-Theft
19.25 / 1k Residents49% above state avg
Motor Vehicle Theft
4.72 / 1k Residents103% above state avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025

Political Climate

Cook PVI: D+22Solidly Liberal

District shown is the primary district for this city’s centroid. Cities may span multiple districts.

Presidential Voting Trends for Federal Way, Washington
Dem Rep
20%30%40%50%60%70%80%2000200420082012201620202024

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
B
Self-Reliant

Viable for self-reliance. Generally workable, though some barriers may limit total independence.

State Policy

Tax Burden
C-
Weak10.7% of income
Property Rights
C-
FairIJ Grade C-
Firearm Rights
F
PoorFPC Grade F
Homeschooling
D-
PoorHigh regulation

Energy independence: Importer (55% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
A+
Fully OpenRetail sales legal
Gambling Laws
A
Broadly OpenCasinos · Poker · Sportsbetting
Marijuana Laws
A+
Fully LegalRecreational

Homesteading

Growing Season219 days327 frost-free
Annual Rainfall55.5"
Elevation459 ft

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
D-
Vulnerable

Multiple tactical vulnerabilities. Population density, target proximity, or disaster risk are likely compounding. A retreat property and exit planning is required.

Strategic Pillars

City Proximity
F
Poor20 mi to nearest major city
Pop. Density
D-
Poor4,447/sq mi
Fallout Danger
C-
Weak12 within ~30 mi
Natural Disaster
F
PoorEarthquake
Border / Coast
D
Poorborder 116 mi · coast 20 mi
FEMA Expected Loss$1.7B/yrfor the county

Key Distances

Nearest Major CitySeattle737k people are 20 mi away
Nearest Major AirportSEA8.7 mi away
Distance to State Capital34 miOlympia, WA
Nearest Prison6.9 mi3 within 25 mi

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-19T09:38:49.000Z

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