Government budget and revenue in Federal Way, Washington: official figures
Federal Way's city government took in $113.52 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $1,160 for each of its 97,863 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 11th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Federal Way spend and on what?
It spent $99.24 million in the same year, $1,014 per resident, the 15th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (30.7%), roads and highways (19.4%) and parks and recreation (9.5%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Federal Way collect per resident?
Taxes raised $67.99 million ($695 per resident, the 72nd lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 59.9% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Federal Way rely on?
Of Federal Way's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 17.7%, general sales tax 37.5%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 30.8%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Federal Way's property tax share is the 57th lowest of 580 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much federal and state money does Federal Way get?
Payments from other governments made up 11.2% of Federal Way's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 4.7% from the federal government ($55 per resident), 6.3% from the state. For all US city governments in 2022 the aid share was 24.3%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Federal Way raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $20.62 million, 18.2% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Federal Way spend on police?
Federal Way's city government spent $30.47 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $311 per resident (the 208th lowest of 582) and 30.7% of its total spending; police took 10.3% of spending across all US city governments in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Federal Way spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $1.08 million, $11 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Federal Way have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Federal Way's city government owed $36.30 million in long-term debt, $371 per resident (the 34th lowest of 582). During the year it issued $2.73 million of new long-term debt and repaid $5.22 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Federal Way pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $1.05 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 1.1% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Federal Way city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 19.5% from $971 to $1,160, spending per resident rose 21.5% to $1,014, taxes per resident rose 8.8% to $695.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Federal Way compares with other cities in the United States
City government total revenue per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Federal Way ranks 715 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total revenue per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 712 | Mission Viejo | $1,035 |
| 713 | Burien | $1,012 |
| 714 | Goose Creek | $976 |
| 715 | Federal Way | $971 |
| 716 | Bellflower | $949 |
| 717 | Millcreek | $918 |
| 718 | Bloomington | $918 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Federal Way ranks 716 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total spending per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 713 | Goose Creek | $865 |
| 714 | Miami Gardens | $863 |
| 715 | Taylorsville | $850 |
| 716 | Federal Way | $834 |
| 717 | Deltona | $814 |
| 718 | Burien | $810 |
| 719 | Lawrence | $805 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Federal Way ranks 633 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City taxes collected per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 630 | Burien | $644 |
| 631 | Plymouth | $643 |
| 632 | Rochester | $639 |
| 633 | Federal Way | $639 |
| 634 | Woodbury | $638 |
| 635 | Bozeman | $637 |
| 636 | Sterling Heights | $634 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Federal Way ranks 470 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City spending on police per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 467 | Eau Claire | $278 |
| 468 | Missoula | $278 |
| 469 | Warwick | $277 |
| 470 | Federal Way | $277 |
| 471 | Green Bay | $277 |
| 472 | Rancho Cucamonga | $276 |
| 473 | Eden Prairie | $276 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Federal Way ranks 675 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 672 | Menifee | $372 |
| 673 | Pocatello | $354 |
| 674 | Huntington Park | $350 |
| 675 | Federal Way | $349 |
| 676 | Rancho Cucamonga | $325 |
| 677 | Burien | $313 |
| 678 | Jonesboro | $307 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Federal Way ranks 660 of 730, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 657 | St. George | 19.3% |
| 658 | Longmont | 19.1% |
| 659 | Fort Smith | 18.9% |
| 660 | Federal Way | 18.8% |
| 661 | Peoria | 18.8% |
| 662 | Kansas City | 18.8% |
| 663 | Bowling Green | 18.3% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Federal Way ranks 596 of 730, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 593 | Deerfield Beach | 10.0% |
| 594 | O'Fallon | 10.0% |
| 595 | Hawthorne | 9.9% |
| 596 | Federal Way | 9.9% |
| 597 | Stamford | 9.9% |
| 598 | Hemet | 9.8% |
| 599 | Chino | 9.7% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Federal Way ranks 572 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total revenue per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 569 | Meridian | $1,226 |
| 570 | Goose Creek | $1,208 |
| 571 | Brookhaven | $1,199 |
| 572 | Federal Way | $1,160 |
| 573 | Dunwoody | $1,138 |
| 574 | Kentwood | $1,114 |
| 575 | Lake Forest | $1,017 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Federal Way ranks 568 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total spending per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 565 | Scranton | $1,147 |
| 566 | Miami Gardens | $1,139 |
| 567 | Meridian | $1,089 |
| 568 | Federal Way | $1,014 |
| 569 | Sammamish | $963 |
| 570 | Goose Creek | $956 |
| 571 | Spokane Valley | $940 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Federal Way ranks 511 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City taxes collected per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 508 | Fayetteville | $700 |
| 509 | Gary | $700 |
| 510 | Milwaukee | $698 |
| 511 | Federal Way | $695 |
| 512 | Modesto | $694 |
| 513 | South Gate | $689 |
| 514 | Lakeland | $688 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Federal Way ranks 375 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City spending on police per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 372 | Gainesville | $314 |
| 373 | Farmington Hills | $314 |
| 374 | Brookhaven | $313 |
| 375 | Federal Way | $311 |
| 376 | Gastonia | $311 |
| 377 | Wheaton | $311 |
| 378 | Hoover | $310 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Federal Way ranks 549 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 546 | Lakewood | $386 |
| 547 | Brooklyn Park | $377 |
| 548 | Harrisburg | $372 |
| 549 | Federal Way | $371 |
| 550 | Goose Creek | $347 |
| 551 | Corvallis | $341 |
| 552 | Lacey | $340 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Federal Way ranks 524 of 580, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 521 | Lake Elsinore | 19.3% |
| 522 | Renton | 19.1% |
| 523 | Grand Island | 18.5% |
| 524 | Federal Way | 17.7% |
| 525 | Bowling Green | 17.7% |
| 526 | Fort Smith | 17.6% |
| 527 | Lacey | 17.5% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Federal Way ranks 434 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 431 | Hollywood | 11.4% |
| 432 | Bakersfield | 11.4% |
| 433 | Millcreek | 11.2% |
| 434 | Federal Way | 11.2% |
| 435 | Berkeley | 11.1% |
| 436 | Urban Honolulu | 11.1% |
| 437 | Woodbury | 11.1% |
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Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit files (item amounts for every sampled government, directory with population and fiscal year end, state estimates by type of government), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0967c4d30466…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2022 Census of Governments: State and Local Government Finances, individual unit files (item amounts for every government, directory with population and fiscal year end, state estimates by type of government), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c8de889f6b33…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.