Our Community
Federal Way, Washington occupies twenty-one square miles of scenic King County’s southwestern corner. Situated between Green River Valley and Puget Sound, Federal Way, incorporated as a city in 1990, exhibits some of the finest scenery found along the nation’s Pacific Coast. Federal Way was named in honor of U.S. Highway 99 which is now called Washington State Route 99. Interstate 5 and Highways 18 and 509 also serve the city.
This community that began as a small logging settlement, now boasts nearly 3,200 flourishing businesses located within its borders. The headquarters of Fortune 500 companies such as Weyerhaeuser and World Vision are also located here. Other well known companies include Totem Ocean Trailer Express, Inc. (T.O.T.E) and St. Francis Hospital, which is ranked among America’s top 100 hospitals.
At the time of the 2000 Census, Federal Way was home to 83,259 residents, making Federal Way one of WA’s top ten most populous cities. Located 8 miles north of downtown Tacoma and 25 miles south of Seattle's downtown, Federal Way serves as a bedroom community for both. Close proximity to Puget Sound also affords convenient access to some of the nation’s most vital international trade routes via the ports of Olympia, Tacoma, and Seattle.
Puget Sound stretches inland nearly fifty miles from the Pacific and flows through an intricate system of channels, inlets, and islands, forming WA’s coastal border. In addition to its vital deep water ports, Puget Sound affords the perfect location for bird watching, boating, hiking and kayaking. The Washington Ferry System provides access throughout the Sound, including all the various islands located there. This visually stunning region, where views include the Cascade Mountains and the 14,410 foot snow-covered peak of Mount Rainier, lies in close proximity to Washington State’s numerous wilderness regions. Federal Way showcases its spectacular scenery with 28 developed parks and 19 open-space parks. Parks include Dash Point State Park, Five Mile Lake, and West Hylebos Wetlands Park. Residents also have access to The BPA Trail and West Campus Trail that together cover 3.5 miles.
Federal Way boasts Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center, with an Olympic sized swimming pool, and Wild Wave Theme Park, the region’s largest amusement park. Local shopping opportunities include The Commons at Federal Way. Additional opportunities for recreation exist in nearby cities. Popular regional destinations include Lake Washington, the Museum of Glass, the Space Needle, and Washington State History Museum.
Federal Way, Washington features an outstanding public school district with 23 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 5 high schools. Students also have several private and parochial schools from which to choose. The Puget Sound area teems with opportunities for higher education. These facilities include DeVry University, Highline Community College, and several campuses of the University of Washington.
