| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Federal Way/100k people | Washington/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 4,752 | n/a (estimate) | 4,918 | 2,793 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 5 | n/a | 5.2 | 3.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 50 | n/a | 51.7 | 37.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 145 | n/a | 150.1 | 67.5 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 327 | n/a | 338.4 | 217.0 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 527 | n/a (estimate) | 545 | 326 | 359 |
| Burglary | 554 | n/a | 573.3 | 398.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 2,566 | n/a | 2,655.5 | 1,634.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 1,105 | n/a | 1,143.5 | 433.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 4,225 | n/a (estimate) | 4,372 | 2,467 | 1,760 |

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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
| Item | Federal Way | Washington | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 150 | 8,169 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.6 | 2.2 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Washington /100K | National /100K |
| Washington | 6,688 | 107 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Dash Point, WA | 1,045 | 46 | 346 | 392 |
| Black Diamond, WA | 4,811 | 27 | 396 | 423 |
| Shadow Lake, WA | 2,445 | 51 | 387 | 438 |
| Fox Island, WA | 3,695 | 62 | 470 | 532 |
| Lake Holm, WA | 3,461 | 62 | 470 | 532 |
| Maple Heights-Lake Desire, WA | 3,651 | 62 | 470 | 532 |
| Canterwood, WA | 3,134 | 62 | 470 | 532 |
| Federal Way, WA | 100,624 | 545 | 4,372 | 4,918 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Rio Rancho, NM | 100,592 | 318 | 1,339 | 1,658 |
| Edinburg, TX | 100,567 | 270 | 1,757 | 2,027 |
| Nampa, ID | 100,694 | 353 | 742 | 1,095 |
| Erie, PA | 100,285 | 376 | 1,929 | 2,305 |
| Beaverton, OR | 100,974 | 365 | 2,661 | 3,026 |
| Federal Way, WA | 100,624 | 545 | 4,372 | 4,918 |