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Federal Way City Center

Federal Way City Center

Neighborhood in Federal Way, Washington

King County 98003

$398,594 Average Value
$316 Average Price per Sq Ft
4 Homes For Sale

Haven for commuters with convenience and retail

Previously founded as a logging settlement, Federal Way has since expanded dramatically, becoming a haven for commuters with convenience away from the buzz of the Emerald City. Its core neighborhood, Federal Way City Center, is an extensive retail district brimming with activity and culture between Seattle and Tacoma. “This neighborhood is a melting pot of different cuisines, music and activities,” says Chris Seim, Real Estate Agent at eXp Realty in Tacoma who grew up in Federal Way. “There’s always something fun going on that families are sure to enjoy.”

Try the house made tortillas at El Rinconsito in Federal Way City Center.
Try the house made tortillas at El Rinconsito in Federal Way City Center.
Federal Way City Center is the main shopping hub for the surrounding neighborhoods.
Federal Way City Center is the main shopping hub for the surrounding neighborhoods.
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Retail hub and the Commons mall

Federal Way City Center is a retail hub about 13 miles north of Tacoma. With a wide selection of local storefronts, this area is also home to familiar national chains and box stores. Strip malls border the tree-lined Pacific Highway, which connects to the Commons at Federal Way, an indoor shopping plaza with over 90 retailers and a Cinemark movie theater. Just north, the SeaTac Village Shopping Center has brands like Trader Joe’s, T.J. Maxx and Designer Shoe Warehouse, and dozens of well-known restaurants. One option nearby is Black Angus, a steakhouse serving classic American cuisine like surf and turf in a western-themed pub. Jasmine Mongolian Grill has hibachi-style barbecue dishes in an interior with wooden accents and painted murals. For groceries, Safeway is on 320th Street, and Campeón Market is a Latin-American supermarket with fresh ingredients, a bakery and a hot food deli on state Route 99.

Go shopping at the conveniently located Federal Way Commons shopping mall.
Go shopping at the conveniently located Federal Way Commons shopping mall.
Big box stores like Target and Kohl's are found in the retail core of Federal Way City Center.
Big box stores like Target and Kohl's are found in the retail core of Federal Way City Center.
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Momentum from the light rail

The Sound Transit is opening a light rail in 2026 that will connect the area’s major cities with three new train stations along the highway – in Kent Des Moines, Star Lake and here, in Downtown Federal Way, near 319th Place and 23rd Avenue. Many expect this development to change the public transportation and business scene. “The light rail will make it easier for people to visit our shopping areas and entertainment districts, and our businesses can capitalize on that incoming traffic,” says Zander Spain Greene, Communications & Program Coordinator at the Greater Federal Way Chamber of Commerce. Federal Way City Center is a walker’s paradise with a walk score of 83 out of 100. The Sound Transit (ST Express) bus system provides public transportation and makes stops along 320th Street. State Route 99 runs north through the middle of the neighborhood, and Interstate 5 is easily accessible from 320th Street. Tacoma is only about 13 miles south, while Seattle is roughly 23 miles north. The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is about 8 miles north.

Single-family and condominiums surrounding the center

The outer rings of Federal Way City Center also feel urban and active, with hedges and fence lines separating businesses and multifamily housing from the main road. While this area has fewer housing options than other neighborhoods, split-levels and ranch-style homes surround shopping areas in the town center. Single-family homes range from $400,000 to $700,000. Condo units are also spread throughout the neighborhood, in tall buildings within the commercial district or shady complexes next to homes. These communities commonly share amenities like a swimming pool, sauna or fitness center. Prices range between $250,000 and $400,000.

Many Federal Way City Center live in well kept split level homes.
Many Federal Way City Center live in well kept split level homes.
Condos are a popular living option among Federal Way City Center residents.
Condos are a popular living option among Federal Way City Center residents.
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Summer Sounds at Steel Lake

Summer Sounds is a free concert series on Wednesday evenings at Steel Lake Park in July, and the community gathers with camp chairs for live music by the water. “Steel Lake Park hosts summertime concerts featuring all sorts of musicians. It’s a fun way to kick off the weekend,” says Seim. Arts Explosion is an arts festival held in late May when local artists present their work and compete for prizes at the Federal Way Performing Arts and Events Center (PAEC), which hosts yearly concerts and performances. The Red, White & Blues Festival is Federal Way’s July 4th tradition, with live music and food vendors in Celebration Park.

The modern, Town Square Park

Town Square Park provides a new kind of recreation with modern play structures, such as a zip line, a rope climb and a splash pad in the town center. Mirror Lake Park is a corridor between communities with a paved trail through the woods and a simple playground. Steel Lake Park is a 52-acre space with a small beach for swimming and a boat launch for kayaking and paddleboarding on the surface of Steel Lake. Celebration Park has night-lit baseball diamonds and soccer fields, and it is the venue for tournaments held by local sports associations.

Spend the day on the shores of Steel Lake in Federal Way City Center.
Spend the day on the shores of Steel Lake in Federal Way City Center.
Stop by Town Square Park in Federal Way City Center.
Stop by Town Square Park in Federal Way City Center.
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State championships at Federal Way High School

According to Niche, Federal Way Public Schools serves over 21,000 students throughout the area and holds the title of Washington’s most diverse school district. Mirror Lake Elementary School receives a C-plus grade from Niche and hosts family nights dedicated to literacy, math and multicultural subjects. Sacajawea Middle School maintains a C, and Federal Way High School earns a B.

Federal Way City Center kids attend Mirror Lake Elementary School.
Federal Way City Center kids attend Mirror Lake Elementary School.
High school aged kids in Federal Way City Center attend Federal Way High School.
High school aged kids in Federal Way City Center attend Federal Way High School.
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Jackson Hardy
Written By
Jackson Hardy
Photography Contributed By
Noah Lubin
Daric Clarke
Video By
Daric Clarke

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to David Newberry, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Seattle-Tacoma International

22 min drive

Bus

S 320th St & 23rd Ave S

Bus

Federal Way Tc - Bay 5

Bus

Fed Way & 320th Street P&R - Bay 2

Bus

S 320th St & 20th Ave S

Bus

23rd Ave S & S 314th St

Bus

324th St S & Pebble Beach

Bus

S 317th St & 26th Ave S

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Federal Way City Center US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 7 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 8 4
Larceny 7 4
Crime Score 6 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$320,000
Median Single Family Price
$514,497
Median Townhouse Price
$322,500
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$319,997
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$279,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$316
Number of Homes for Sale
4
Last 12 months Home Sales
6
Months of Supply
8.00
Median List Price
$316,997
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-58%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
111
Median Year Built
1980
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,233
Above the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,092
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
872
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
819
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,227

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to David Newberry, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
3,924
Median Age
39
Population Density
9 ppl/acre
Population under 18
24%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
20.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$43,014
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$66,728

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
92.4%
College Graduates
22.1%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
2.2%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
68%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
39''
Average Winter Low Temperature
37°F
Average Summer High Temperature
77°F
Annual Snowfall
6''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

54 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

83 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

61 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Federal Way City Center
David Newberry
Newberry Realty, Inc.
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