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CITY · 2020 ACS

Federal Way

Washington · 101,030 residents · 22.329 sq mi
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The short version

Federal Way has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $68,672. Population has grown 21% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $359,000.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 36.9
US median: 38.8
Average education
29% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 45%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
101,030
+21%since 2000
from 83,259 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,525 / sq mi
+21%since 2000
from 3,729 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
36.9
+14%since 2000
from 32.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
64K74K84K94K104K1990201020202024Federal Way
202499K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$68,672
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $49,278 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,788
+46%since 2000
from $22,451 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
46.2%
+10.9 ptssince 2009
from 35.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
11.2%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 9.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information12%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance10.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical9.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Retail trade9.5%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade8.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services6.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$359,000
+45%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $165,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,411
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $737 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
52.6%
−3.4 ptssince 2000
from 56.0% in 2000
47.4% rent
Afford Score
5.2
+56%since 2000
from 3.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Federal Way on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic66.1%(55,050)
Black7.7%(6,439)
Hispanic / Latino7.5%(6,266)
Asian12.2%(10,156)
Other0%
Diversity Score58.8%(48,963)
2020
White, non-Hispanic38.5%(38,897)
Black14%(14,177)
Hispanic / Latino20.1%(20,266)
Asian15.3%(15,469)
Other10.3%(10,377)
Diversity Score93.6%(94,559)
Diversity Score
94
+59%since 2000
from 59 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
29.4%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 26.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
89.2%
−0.1 ptssince 2000
from 89.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.7%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 7.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
35.5 min
+63%since 2000
from 21.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
70.5%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 70.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.4%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.9%
−4.6 ptssince 2011
from 9.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
66.6%
−1.8 ptssince 2011
from 68.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
31.4%
−31.8 ptssince 2009
from 63.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.2%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
Female
49.8%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
Foreign born
26.7%
+4.4 ptssince 2009
from 22.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
8.9%
−73.4 ptssince 2013
from 82.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Federal Way to nearby cities

FEDERAL WAY VS
Lakeland North
Income$105,216+53%
Home value$557,000+55%
Population15,950−84%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FEDERAL WAY VS
Lakeland South
Income$110,735+61%
Home value$589,300+64%
Population13,100−87%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FEDERAL WAY VS
Milton
Income$96,540+41%
Home value$539,700+50%
Population8,911−91%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FEDERAL WAY VS
Des Moines
Income$92,483+35%
Home value$597,000+66%
Population33,032−67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Federal Way, Washington?

Federal Way, Washington has about 101,030 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Federal Way, Washington?

The typical household in Federal Way, Washington earns about $68,672 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Federal Way, Washington expensive?

In Federal Way, Washington, the median home is worth about $359,000, and the typical rent is about $1,411 a month.

How educated are people in Federal Way, Washington?

About 29.4% of adults age 25 and over in Federal Way, Washington hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Federal Way, Washington?

About 11.2% of people in Federal Way, Washington live below the federal poverty line.

Has Federal Way, Washington grown since 1990?

Yes, Federal Way, Washington has grown since 1990. The population has added about 33,476 residents, a change of about 50 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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