Federal Way, Washington

Federal Way is a city in King County, Washington, United States. Federal Way is a bedroom community located between Seattle and Tacoma. Its western boundary is Puget Sound. It is bordered by Des Moines on the north, Kent, unincorporated King County, and Milton on the east and Tacoma and Fife on the south. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 83,259. The population estimates for 2005 are 85,800 making it Washington’s 7th largest city. Despite sharing a border with Tacoma, Federal Way is usually considered part of the Seattle metropolitan area rather than a suburb of Tacoma.

History

Originally a logging settlement, the area was first called "Federal Way" in 1929, when Federal Way School District #210 was created. The name derived from U.S. Highway 99 (now Washington State Route 99), completed that decade, which ran through the area on its way from Everett and Seattle to Tacoma and Olympia. Two years later, Federal Way High School was built, and about 20 years later, the name was adopted by the local Chamber of Commerce. The city incorporated on February 28, 1990.

Commerce and attractions

Federal Way is home to Weyerhaeuser, the largest private owner of softwood timberland in the world. Weyerhaeuser has opened much of its land to the public, including two fine botanical gardens: the Rhododendron Species Foundation and Botanical Garden, and the Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection. Federal Way is also home to the US office headquarters of World Vision.

Other attractions in the city include the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center, which features an Olympic size swimming pool, and Celebration Park, with generous sports fields and wooded trails. The city has also developed many lakefront and neighborhood parks and playgrounds. Wild Waves Enchanted Village, on the south side of town, is the Seattle area's only permanent amusement park. Six Flags purchased Wild Waves Enchanted Village in December 2000, becoming its first and only park in the Pacific Northwest.

Federal Way is locally identified by its 1990s semi-urban development, characterized by landscaped off-street multi-structure apartment complexes and shopping centers. The Commons at Federal Way (previously Sea Tac Mall), the city's largest and only indoor shopping center, is located on S 320th St. and Pacific Hwy South (Hwy 99) near the city's main Interstate 5 exit.

Major city and state parks:

Steel Lake Park - located on S 312th St just east of Pacific Hwy S; large lakefront area with picnic areas, playground, and boat launch.
Celebration Park - on 11th Ave S just south of S 324th St; with sports fields and wooded trails, and Independence Day fireworks.
Dash Point State Park - on SW Dast Point Rd at the west end of town; the city's only developed waterfront park, with hiking trails and campground.
Five Mile Lake - on Military Rd S and S 364th St in the unincorporated area on the east side of town.
West Hylebos Wetlands Park - at S 348th St and 4th Ave S, hiking trails through wetlands.
The BPA Trail exending from the entrance to Celebration Park west to approximatedly 18th Ave SW, then south to the Pierce County border. The trail is paved and lies under the Bonneville Power Administration transmision lines.

Growth

As part of the Washington State Growth Management Act of 1990 (GMA), Federal Way, along with other Puget Sound suburban cities have identified Potential Annexation Area’s (PAA’s) as areas of unincorporated King County that they feel could best be serviced by them. Federal Way has indicated interest in Auburn Hills (east of the city to the Auburn city limits), Lakeland (south and east of the city to the King/Pierce County border and east to the Auburn city limits), and Star Lake (north and east of the city to the Kent city limits). In 2004, the city annexed the Northlake, East Redondo, and Parkway neighborhoods into the city, adding over 2,700 people and nearly 1 square mile (2.57 km²) of area.

Geography

Federal Way is located at (47.312960, -122.339173).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 54.8 km² (21.1 mi²). 54.5 km² (21.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.61%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 83,259 people, 31,437 households, and 21,251 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,528.6/km² (3,959.4/mi²). There were 32,581 housing units at an average density of 598.2/km² (1,549.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 68.84% White, 7.94% African American, 0.89% Native American, 12.29% Asian, 1.02% Pacific Islander, 3.67% from other races, and 5.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.53% of the population.

There were 31,437 households out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.2% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 33.1% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 7.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $49,278, and the median income for a family was $55,833. Males had a median income of $41,504 versus $30,448 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,451. About 6.9% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.5% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.

Sister Cities

Federal Way has the following sister cities, according to ^*:

External links

Cities in King County, Washington | Cities in Washington | King County, Washington | Cities in the Seattle metropolitan area

Federal Way | Federal Way