F
150%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
49%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
169%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleFederal Way/100k peopleWashington/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime5,633n/a (estimate)5,8023,7322,324
Murder8n/a8.25.06.3
Rape56n/a57.739.240.0
Robbery154n/a158.686.866.1
Assault316n/a325.5244.7268.2
Violent crime534n/a (estimate)550376370
Burglary724n/a745.7563.0269.8
Theft2,904n/a2,990.92,154.01,401.9
Vehicle theft1,471n/a1,515.0639.3282.7
Property crime5,099n/a (estimate)5,2523,3561,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Federal Way, WA

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Federal Way crime rate is 149.6% higher than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Federal Way, there were 534 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 550 per 100,000 individuals, 48.7% higher than the national average. Additionally, Federal Way recorded 5099 property crimes, amounting to 5252 per 100,000 residents, 168.7% higher than the U.S. average.

With a crime rate of 5802 per 100,000 residents, Federal Way has a crime rate that is 149.62% higher than the national average. This results in one of the highest total crime rates in the entire country. This does not necessarily mean that the entire city is unsafe. As with any area, there are some pockets in Federal Way that are much safer than others. A little research will go a long way in determining which areas could potentially offer a safer living environment.

With a property crime rate of 5252 crimes per 100,000 people, Federal Way unfortunately has the distinction of being among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime. The likelihood of falling victim to property crime in Federal Way is alarmingly high, estimated at 1 in 20, significantly surpassing the national average. This data emphasizes the city's pressing need for concerted efforts to address and reduce property crime, ensuring a safer environment for its residents.

The surge in vehicle thefts is a concerning trend across the United States, and Federal Way is no exception, experiencing one of the nation's highest vehicle theft rates. Last year, Federal Way reported a total of 1471 vehicle thefts, resulting in 1515 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This places the city in the lowest 10% tier among all cities, indicating that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The probability of a vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 67, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and security measures.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Federal Way?

What do the local residents think about crime in Federal Way? Well, based on a recent survey of 94 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 20% of Federal Way residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 80% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Federal Way a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Federal Way is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Federal Way has an overall crime rate that is 150% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 15.43 daily occurrences, comprising 1.46 violent crimes and 13.97 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Federal Way as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in Federal Way Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Federal Way. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Federal Way has increased by 7.7%. Specifically, violent crime has increased by 8.3%, while property crime has increased by 7.6%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Federal Way.

Potential Causes for Crime in Federal Way

Federal Way reports an unemployment rate of 3.2%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. Constrained employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-paying positions can contribute to elevated rates of unemployment and underemployment. Areas where individuals contend with joblessness or insufficient wages may display heightened susceptibility to an increase in criminal activities attributed to economic insecurity. Conversely, regions characterized by robust employment rates often witness a decrease in overall Federal Way crime rates.

The educational level achieved in any given city can influence crime rates significantly. Greater educational achievement is frequently associated with decreased crime rates, as it offers individuals improved job prospects and alternatives to engaging in crime related activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment rates tend to coincide with elevated crime rates. In Federal Way, 85.8% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, in contrast to the national average where 83% have achieved high school graduation.

The impact of law enforcement and community policing efforts plays a crucial role in shaping crime rates in any city. A robust and cooperative bond between law enforcement and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, enhancing overall safety. In Federal Way, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 1.63, differing from the national average of 3.25. Effective law enforcement hinges not solely on officer numbers but also on the manner in which they interact and collaborate with the community. Building trust and cooperation are central tenets of community policing, amplifying its influence on crime prevention.

Federal Way crime map



The Federal Way crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Federal Way as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Federal Way crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Federal Way crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
New Real Estate Listings in Federal Way Area
Search Homes for Sale in Federal Way, WA

Compare Federal Way, WA Crime

      vs

      Crime Quick Facts

      • Federal Way crime rates are 150% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Federal Way are 49% higher than the national average
      • In Federal Way you have a 1 in 18 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Federal Way is safer than 7% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Federal Way has increased by 8%

      Federal Way, WA Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Federal Way

        See all the best places to live around Federal Way
        How would you rate the amount of crime in Federal Way?
        Write a review to give others more information about this area.
        Do you feel safe walking alone at night in Federal Way?
        Write a review to give others more information about this area.
        See all Federal Way poll results

        Daily Crime In Federal Way (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above looks at the comparison of crimes committed in Federal Way on a daily basis (per 100,000 people) to crimes committed throughout the state of Washington and the USA. According to the latest crime statistics, daily crimes in Federal Way (which include property crimes as well as violent crimes), when compared to Washington, are 1.55 times more than the state average and 2.50 times more than than national average. Violent crimes committed in Federal Way on a daily basis are 1.46 times more than than Washington average and 1.49 times more than the average nationwide. Daily property crime rates in Federal Way are 1.56 times more than the daily state average and 2.69 times more than the daily national numbers.

        How Safe is Federal Way (higher is better)

        Are people any safer living in Federal Way in comparison to other Washington communities and all other areas throughout the United States? When we look at all cities across America, is Federal Way safe? The evidence provided by these graphs show Federal Way being safer than 6% of cities in Washington and 7% of cities across the United States. This is evident by tracking Washington cities as well as all US cities over a one year period to contrast crime statistics as they relate to Federal Way. In conclusion, Federal Way ranks above average compared to the rest of the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Federal Way

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Federal Way is 1 in 182
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Federal Way is 1 in 20
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Federal Way is 1 in 18
        Are you curious to know the likelihood of suffering from a crime in Federal Way? If you reside in Federal Way, the likelihood that you will become a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 182. Violent crimes include: murder, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. There is a 1 in 20 change that you will become a victim of a property crime. These sorts of crimes against personal property include: burglary, theft, and auto theft. In total, the likelihood of being victimized by a crime in Federal Way, is 1 in 18.

        Year Over Year Crime In Federal Way (per 100,000 people)

        An analysis of year to year crime rates in Federal Way, Washington (per 100,000 people) is a useful indicator of whether the area is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live. The amount of violent crime in Federal Way has increased by 8%, the amount of property crime in Federal Way has increased by 8%, and the total amount of crime in Federal Way has increased by 8% year over year.

        Federal Way police department

        Item Federal Way Washington National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)1508,169558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.62.23.3
        There are a total of 150 Federal Way police officers. This results in 1.6 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 24.8% less than the Washington average and 49.8% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Washington

        State Total offenders Washington /100K National /100K
        Washington6,688107266
        There are a total of 6,688 sex offenders in Washington. This yields a total of 107 sex offenders in Washington per 100,000 residents which is 60% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Browns Point, WA96153471524
        Canterwood, WA3,07072639711
        Fox Island, WA3,61383741824
        Shadow Lake, WA2,38585762847
        Lake Holm, WA3,33289798887
        Black Diamond, WA4,70301,0251,025
        Maple Heights-Lake Desire, WA3,5441049281,032
        Federal Way, WA96,8125505,2525,802

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Nampa, ID96,8253521,2671,619
        Albany, NY96,8609303,7824,711
        Erie, PA96,6166072,2642,872
        Bend, OR97,0321511,5861,737
        Lawrence, KS97,3484692,1952,664
        Federal Way, WA96,8125505,2525,802
        Source: The Federal Way, WA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.