Federal Way, WA
Full City Profile · Washington · Pierce County County
2.9
/5.0
C+
Fair
99,232
Population
4,446/sq mi density
$82,144
Median Income
$39,547 per capita
$499,600
Home Value
$586,172 Zillow
$1,738
Median Rent
33.7% income on rent
54°F
Avg Temperature
555
Violent Crime/100K
4,417 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$82,144 median income, 5.9% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.2 / 5.0
$499,600 home value, $1,738/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
555 violent crimes/100K (46% above avg)
B
Education
3.5 / 5.0
31.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Federal Way experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 39.3 inches. The area receives 6.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.
Temperature
43°F Jan (6°C)
67°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 53.7°F |
| 1% below US avg | |
| January Average | 43°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (20°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 413 ft (126 m) |
| Area | 1.4 sq mi (3.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 4,446/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.3116°N, 122.3378°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Pierce County County |
| Nearest Airport | Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA) 10 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 44.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 72.4% |
| Unhealthy Days | 1 |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| Ozone (O₃) | 0.0412 ppm |
| NO₂ (Nitrogen Dioxide) | 17.9 ppb |
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 6.8 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 98.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 14.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 60.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tsunami History
6 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 250.0 m (820 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1980 | WASHINGTON | Explosion | 250.0 m | 61 | 124 km |
| 1894 | PUYALLUP RIVER DELTA, TACOMA, WA | Meteorological | 3.0 m | 2 | 9 km |
| 1891 | WASHINGTON | Eruption + Earthquake | 2.4 m | - | 116 km |
| 1949 | PUGET SOUND, WA | Meteorological | 2.4 m | - | 15 km |
| 1949 | PUGET SOUND, WA | Eruption + Earthquake | - | 8 | 27 km |
| 1820 | CAMANO ISLAND, WA | Meteorological | - | - | 83 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.
Nearby Volcanoes
7 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Rainier (67 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Rainier | Stratovolcano | 4,392 m (14,409 ft) | 1450 | 67 km |
| St. Helens | Stratovolcano | 2,549 m (8,363 ft) | 2008 | 124 km |
| Glacier Peak | Stratovolcano | 3,213 m (10,541 ft) | 1700 | 128 km |
| Adams | Stratovolcano | 3,742 m (12,277 ft) | 950 | 139 km |
| Indian Heaven | Shield(s) | 1,806 m (5,925 ft) | -6250 | 159 km |
| West Crater | Volcanic field | 1,329 m (4,360 ft) | -5750 | 160 km |
| Baker | Stratovolcano(es) | 3,285 m (10,778 ft) | 1880 | 168 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43°F (6°C) | 5.8 in | |
| February | 44°F (7°C) | 3.8 in | |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 4.2 in | |
| April | 51°F (11°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 1.9 in | |
| June | 62°F (17°C) | 1.5 in | |
| July | 67°F (20°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| August | 67°F (20°C) | 1.0 in | Warmest |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 1.6 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 3.9 in | |
| November | 47°F (8°C) | 6.3 in | Wettest |
| December | 42°F (6°C) | 5.7 in | Coldest |
Federal Way has a seasonal temperature swing of 25°F / from 42°F in December to 67°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 39.3 inches, with November being the wettest month (6.3") and July the driest (0.6").