Poverty and living standards in Federal Way, Washington: official figures
13.0% of residents of Federal Way (12,877 people) had incomes below the federal poverty line in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey, 367th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 12.5%; Washington: 9.9%).
How many children live in poverty in Federal Way?
20.4% of children under 18 in Federal Way lived below the poverty line in 2020-2024 (4,588 children), 249th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 16.1%; Washington: 11.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the poverty rate for older people in Federal Way?
By age, the poverty rate in Federal Way was 20.3% for children under 6 and 10.9% for residents aged 60 and over in 2020-2024 (US: 17.2% and 11.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Federal Way live in deep poverty?
5,382 people in Federal Way, 5.5% of residents, had incomes below half the poverty line in 2020-2024, 373rd lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many renters in Federal Way are cost-burdened?
61.4% of renting households in Federal Way spent 30% or more of their income on rent and utilities in 2020-2024 (9,486 households), 90th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 51.1%; Washington: 49.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many households in Federal Way spend half their income on rent?
27.1% of renting households in Federal Way spent half or more of their income on rent and utilities, 371st highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 25.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Federal Way compares with other cities in the United States
Residents below the poverty line (2020-2024)
Federal Way ranks 367 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents below the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 364 | Decatur | 13.1% |
| 365 | Cathedral City | 13.1% |
| 366 | Largo | 13.1% |
| 367 | Federal Way | 13.0% |
| 368 | Gresham | 13.0% |
| 369 | Tamarac | 13.0% |
| 370 | Delray Beach | 13.0% |
Children under 18 below the poverty line (2020-2024)
Federal Way ranks 249 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Children under 18 below the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 246 | Orlando | 20.6% |
| 247 | Baldwin Park | 20.6% |
| 248 | St. Cloud | 20.6% |
| 249 | Federal Way | 20.4% |
| 250 | Taunton | 20.4% |
| 251 | Sioux City | 20.4% |
| 252 | Oklahoma City | 20.4% |
Residents with incomes below half the poverty line (2020-2024)
Federal Way ranks 451 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents with incomes below half the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 448 | Waltham | 5.5% |
| 449 | Bristol | 5.5% |
| 450 | Mableton | 5.5% |
| 451 | Federal Way | 5.5% |
| 452 | St. Petersburg | 5.4% |
| 453 | Santa Fe | 5.4% |
| 454 | Loveland | 5.4% |
Renting households spending 30% or more of income on rent (2020-2024)
Federal Way ranks 90 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Renting households spending 30% or more of income on rent |
|---|---|---|
| 87 | Vallejo | 61.6% |
| 88 | Tustin | 61.6% |
| 89 | Moreno Valley | 61.4% |
| 90 | Federal Way | 61.4% |
| 91 | Oceanside | 61.3% |
| 92 | Lancaster | 61.3% |
| 93 | Terre Haute | 61.2% |
More on Federal Way: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · government budget · all cities in the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B17020: Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months by Age (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 e79a292f34605560506b7f4b5c8ea242c9d6e203c8e95ba675565ddb7758571e), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 41bab025d213…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table C17002: Ratio of Income to Poverty Level in the Past 12 Months (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 dc3dc675113683ec3ff2a0e29a840f43e03268151d7f14b922658d7306da5187), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 31aa364bfddf…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25070: Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income in the Past 12 Months (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 862ccc17d913305d11e6f802ce4518d76b30585ea0b05b251cd8cf21f8661386), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 4f8d499d9e95…)
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