Federal Way, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Federal Way, Washington had a total population of 99,493, the 10th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $86,909, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Washington (diversity index: 78/100).
Federal Way Quick Facts
How Federal Way Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,232 | 99,493 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $82,144 | $86,909 | +5.8% |
| Median home value | $499,600 | $552,800 | +10.6% |
How Federal Way Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Federal Way Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in King County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | 754,195 | $123,860 | 9.9% | $938,600 |
| Bellevue | 151,847 | $165,576 | 7.2% | $1,340,300 |
| Kent | 135,603 | $92,302 | 10.8% | $587,800 |
| Renton | 105,317 | $100,432 | 8.1% | $672,600 |
| Kirkland | 92,621 | $150,414 | 6.1% | $1,115,400 |
| Auburn | 85,676 | $97,884 | 8.9% | $547,900 |
| Redmond | 77,353 | $162,560 | 5.6% | $1,167,800 |
| Sammamish | 66,463 | $239,690 | 4.3% | $1,407,300 |
| Shoreline | 61,431 | $112,751 | 8.8% | $811,100 |
| Burien | 51,513 | $91,318 | 12.9% | $638,800 |
Cities Similar to Federal Way
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renton | 105,317 | $100,432 | $672,600 | 39.5% | 8.1% |
| Everett | 111,845 | $83,512 | $565,300 | 28.8% | 12.9% |
| Spokane Valley | 106,365 | $74,042 | $382,300 | 26.5% | 12.9% |
| Yakima | 96,961 | $62,815 | $297,600 | 20.8% | 16.6% |
| Bellingham | 93,438 | $66,755 | $627,500 | 48.5% | 18.6% |
Population Overview
Federal Way is a mid-sized community located in Washington, within King County. The total population is 99,493. It ranks as the 10th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Federal Way is 37.4 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 38.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Federal Way is $86,909. This is 11% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 8% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.0%. This is 32% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 5.4%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $552,800. Housing costs are 2% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 55.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Federal Way is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (17.8% vs 3.9%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (15.3% vs 9.7%).
Education
30.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 39.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Federal Way, Washington is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Washington state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 628 Census-designated places in Washington. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Federal Way, Washington?
Federal Way, Washington has a population of 99,493 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Federal Way, WA?
The median household income in Federal Way is $86,909, which is 8% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Federal Way, WA?
The poverty rate in Federal Way is 13.0%. This means approximately 12,877 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Federal Way, Washington?
Federal Way's population is 34.9% White, 17.8% Black, 20.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 15.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Federal Way, WA?
The median home value in Federal Way is $552,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.4x.
How educated is Federal Way, Washington?
30.8% of adults (25+) in Federal Way hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.