Surrounded by metropolitan amenities and nature views
Federal Way is one of the Pacific Northwest's best-kept secrets, primarily known for its proximity to urban centers less than 25 miles from Seattle and Tacoma. With a population of about 100,000, the city also features diverse markets, abundant restaurants and unconventional attractions. With Cascadian beaches, botanical gardens and roller coasters, nearly 1 million tourists visit Federal Way each year. "There's a lot going on in Federal Way," says Danny Fung, a lifelong resident of Washington and Realtor at John L Scott Real Estate. "There are major shopping areas and transit options here. Homes are still affordable, and brand-new communities are being built."
Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Federal Way has Pop-up Plant Vender Weekends.
Homes in Federal Way Overlooking Puget Sound in WA.
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Notable neighborhoods and employment industries
The neighborhoods with the highest market value are on the city's west side. The Marine Hills neighborhood has impressive homes with views of the Puget Sound, while other areas, like Twin Lakes, have lakeside communities convenient to Dash Point State Park. Common architectural styles include midcentury modern, contemporary and traditional homes. The median single-family price in Federal Way is $643,750. In some neighborhoods, massive waterfront homes have five-bedroom layouts, while many three-bedroom homes on quarter-acre lots hover around the $400,000s. Townhouses are also available, and the median price is $351,500. Condos cost between $200,000 and $700,000, while manufactured homes range from $50,000 to $850,000, depending on size and proximity to the waterfront. Listings only spend about 28 days on the market before selling, compared to the national average of 44 days.
Healthcare is the area's largest industry, employing about 6,700 people at St. Francis Hospital, MultiCare Tacoma General Emergency and other medical offices throughout town. Other significant employers include Federal Way Public Schools, World Vision Inc. and the Wild Waves Theme and Water Park. Many residents living in Federal Way also work in technology jobs in the surrounding cities, which comprise about 37% of King County's job market.
This gorgeous Craftsman home is painted in a lovely baby blue and white trim.
St. Francis Hospital is a prominent medical center in the area.
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Beaches, green spaces and attractions
Federal Way features 32 parks that comprise over 1,000 acres of recreational space. Dash Point State Park is a 400-acre area with a sandy beach for swimming, kayaking or skimboarding. Another area is Steel Lake Park, which has a public beach with picnic areas, a boat launch and a volleyball court. For athletic facilities, Celebration Park provides baseball fields, soccer fields and access to the BPA trail, an urban greenway stretching nearly 4 miles. Families can head to Town Square Park, which has a splash pad and modern playground equipment on a turf surface. The King County Aquatic Center is a prestigious facility hosting Olympic trials and swimming national championships. Federal Way also has unique attractions. The Pacific Bonsai Museum is an outdoor gallery of over 50 Bonsai trees worldwide. The Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden is the world's most extensive collection of rhododendron plants, with trails bordered by colorful native flora. The Wild Waves Theme and Water Park has thrilling roller coaster rides and a waterpark with a wave pool.
Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Federal Way has Pop-up Plant Vender Weekends.
Steel Lake Park in Federal Way brings residents closer to the water.
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Known for its restaurants and markets
Federal Way is known for its wide-ranging cuisines, featuring Korean, Japanese, Thai and American restaurants like Jimmy Mac's Roadhouse, which has won several awards for the city's best steakhouse and barbecue restaurant. Swagg-n-Wagon Wings & Things is a food truck that won the 2024 Taste of Federal Way award for its fried chicken sandwiches. The Commons at Federal Way is a regional shopping mall with over 100 stores, including restaurants, boutiques, box stores and a Century movie theater. There are popular Korean and Mexican supermarkets in the city center, and Safeway has multiple locations throughout the city. While referencing H Mart, Fung says there's a lot of diversity in this area. For farm-to-table options, the Federal Way Farmers Market provides fresh produce, baked goods and crafts in the city center on Saturday mornings.
Jimmy Mac's Roadhouse has won awards as the city's best steakhouse and barbecue restaurant.
The Commons at Federal Way is a regional shopping mall with over 100 stores.
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Getting around Federal Way
Federal Way is located along Interstate 5 and state Route 99, offering easy access to major cities. Downtown Seattle is about 23 miles north of Federal Way on I-5, while Tacoma is roughly 13 miles south. The Federal Way Transit Center provides services through three bus systems: King County Metro, Pierce Transit and Sound Transit. Federal Way is about 9 miles south of the Seattle–Tacoma International Airport for regional and international travel. The Federal Way Link Extension is under construction with an addition to the Sound Transit light rail system. The project will include two new stations in Star Lake and Downtown Federal Way, with an expected completion date of 2026. "Home values will go up in some locations with access to the light rail, but people aren't fond of it in other areas," says Pauline Clarke Jones, Real Estate Broker at Skyline Properties, Inc. with over 15 years of experience. "With easy access comes more income-subsidized housing, but a lot of people will find it beneficial because they will be able to get downtown from our transit center."
The Federal Way Transit Center provides bus services to Downtown Seattle.
Federal Way is about 9 miles south of the Seattle–Tacoma International Airport.
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Federal Way Public Schools - diverse and STEM-focused
The Federal Way Public Schools district serves over 21,000 students across the city. The district earns a B-minus overall grade from Niche, which ranks it as the state's second most diverse school district. Schools are known for their STEM-oriented education. Private school options are also available, like Pacific Christian Academy, which Niche ranks as the second-best Christian high school in the state.
Crime data and mild year-round temperatures
Federal Way experiences a lower crime rate than many surrounding cities, including Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia. Crime rates are also in decline. In 2023, the violent crime rate fell from 377 to 364 per 100,000 people. The property crime rate is about 1,954 per 100,000 people. Neighborhoods on the west side of town tend to experience less crime.
This city also experiences mild temperatures in all seasons. With warm summers, most days hover around the low 70s, and cool winter days are in the 40s. Federal Way also receives over 40 inches of rainfall yearly, about 10 inches above the national average.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
