F
132%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
52%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
148%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2024 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2025; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleFederal Way/100k peopleWashington/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime4,752n/a (estimate)4,9182,7932,119
Murder5n/a5.23.85.0
Rape50n/a51.737.837.5
Robbery145n/a150.167.560.6
Assault327n/a338.4217.0256.1
Violent crime527n/a (estimate)545326359
Burglary554n/a573.3398.8229.2
Theft2,566n/a2,655.51,634.21,272.1
Vehicle theft1,105n/a1,143.5433.5258.8
Property crime4,225n/a (estimate)4,3722,4671,760

Federal Way crime map

Get this widget

The Federal Way crime map by CrimeoMeter 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.
Get Crime Data Within A 1-Mile Radius! Local Insights Report
  • View detailed crime data near your address
  • Use local crime insights to avoid risky areas
  • Get hyperlocal crime stats, not city averages
* Crime data not available for every address.
Local Insights Report

An Overview of Crime Rates in Federal Way, WA

Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Federal Way crime rate is higher than the national average by 132.1%. Specifically, there were 527 violent crimes in Federal Way, equivalent to 545 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 51.9%. Furthermore, Federal Way recorded 4225 property crimes, amounting to 4372 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 148.4%.

Federal Way has a crime rate of 4918 per 100,000 people, which surpasses the national average by 132.05%, leading to one of the highest total crime rates in the United States. Addressing this issue is vital for improving overall safety and desirability of Federal Way. Efforts to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative initiatives are essential to create a more secure and appealing environment for residents and prospective newcomers alike.

Federal Way has some of the highest property crime rates in the country with 4372 crimes per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all American cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of property crime in Federal Way is 1 in 23, which is far higher than the national average.

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 1105 vehicle thefts, resulting in 1144 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 88, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and security measures.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Federal Way?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Federal Way residents. Out of the respondents (99 in total), 20% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Federal Way were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 80% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Federal Way a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Federal Way a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Federal Way crime rate is 132% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 13.02 crimes per day - 1.44 violent crimes and 11.58 property crimes.

Has Crime in Federal Way Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Federal Way crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Federal Way has decreased by 9.2% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 6.9% and property crime has decreased by 10.9%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Federal Way

The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Federal Way crime rates. In Federal Way, the poverty rate stands at 11.2%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.

In Federal Way, the ratio of police officers and civilians stands at 1.63 per 1,000 residents, contrasting with the national average of 3.25. This discrepancy highlights the potential impact of law enforcement and community policing on crime rates. The strength of their collaboration can serve as a deterrent to criminal behavior, fostering a safer environment. Effective law enforcement leans heavily on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and cooperation between police and residents. It's essential to recognize that the effectiveness of these efforts isn't solely tied to the quantity of officers but also hinges on the quality of their engagement with the community.

High rental costs can limit economic mobility, making it difficult for individuals to save money, invest in education, or access better job opportunities. This can perpetuate a cycle of poverty and increase the risk of involvement in criminal activities. In summary, high rental costs can create economic challenges, overcrowding, and neighborhood dynamics that may increase the likelihood of certain types of crime, particularly property crimes. In Federal Way, the average rental rates are $2,111 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444.

Compare Federal Way, WA Crime

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs

      Crime Quick Facts

      • Federal Way crime rates are 132% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Federal Way are 52% higher than the national average
      • In Federal Way you have a 1 in 21 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 decreased by 19%

      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 1.76 times more than the state average and 2.32 times more than than national average. Violent crimes committed in Federal Way on a daily basis are 1.67 times more than than Washington average and 1.52 times more than the average nationwide. Daily property crime rates in Federal Way are 1.77 times more than the daily state average and 2.48 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 4% 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 184
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Federal Way is 1 in 23
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Federal Way is 1 in 21
        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 184. Violent crimes include: murder, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. There is a 1 in 23 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 21.

        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 decreased by 15%, the amount of property crime in Federal Way has decreased by 19%, and the total amount of crime in Federal Way has decreased by 19% 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
        Dash Point, WA1,04546346392
        Black Diamond, WA4,81127396423
        Shadow Lake, WA2,44551387438
        Fox Island, WA3,69562470532
        Lake Holm, WA3,46162470532
        Maple Heights-Lake Desire, WA3,65162470532
        Canterwood, WA3,13462470532
        Federal Way, WA100,6245454,3724,918

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Rio Rancho, NM100,5923181,3391,658
        Edinburg, TX100,5672701,7572,027
        Nampa, ID100,6943537421,095
        Erie, PA100,2853761,9292,305
        Beaverton, OR100,9743652,6613,026
        Federal Way, WA100,6245454,3724,918
        Source: The Federal Way, WA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2024. 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.