According to toppharmacyschools, Federal Way, Washington is a city located in King County, Washington, United States. The city is situated approximately midway between Seattle and Tacoma, about 18 miles south of Seattle and 28 miles north of Tacoma. Federal Way is bordered by Des Moines to the north, Kent to the east, Auburn to the southeast, Pacific to the southwest and Milton to the northwest.
The city is situated on an area of approximately 19 square miles at an elevation of 150 feet above sea level. The terrain consists mostly of rolling hills with some flat areas along Puget Sound. The climate is mild with temperature averages ranging from lows in the mid-40s Fahrenheit to highs in the upper 70s Fahrenheit during summer months. Precipitation averages around 40 inches per year with most rainfall occurring during autumn and winter months.
The city has an array of natural features including several lakes such as Steel Lake and Lakeland Hills Park which are popular for fishing, swimming and other recreational activities. Additionally, Federal Way has a variety of parks such as Celebration Park which features a skatepark and playground as well as Dash Point State Park which offers beach access and trails for hiking or biking.
The city also contains numerous commercial centers such as The Commons at Federal Way which includes a movie theater complex and several restaurants while SeaTac Mall offers over 100 stores for shopping enthusiasts. Additionally, Federal Way provides easy access to major highways including I-5/State Route 18/SR-99 which connect it to both Seattle and Tacoma making it an ideal location for commuters or visitors looking for convenient travel options.
Federal Way offers residents a unique blend of urban amenities coupled with natural beauty making it an attractive location for people looking for a place that provides both convenience and relaxation in one package. With its diverse population, cultural attractions and proximity to major cities like Seattle or Tacoma; Federal Way truly has something for everyone making it one of Washington’s most desirable locations.
History of Federal Way, Washington
Federal Way, Washington is a city located in King County, Washington, just south of Seattle and 28 miles north of Tacoma. The city is situated on an area of approximately 19 square miles at an elevation of 150 feet above sea level. The terrain consists mostly of rolling hills with some flat areas along Puget Sound. The climate is mild with temperature averages ranging from lows in the mid-40s Fahrenheit to highs in the upper 70s Fahrenheit during summer months. Precipitation averages around 40 inches per year with most rainfall occurring during autumn and winter months.
The history of Federal Way dates back to the mid-1800s when settlers first began moving into the area. The first settlers were mostly farmers who were drawn to the region due to its fertile soil and abundance of natural resources such as timber and salmon. In 1853, a small community was established at what is now known as Federal Way which was named after Federal Way Road that ran through the area connecting Seattle and Tacoma.
The population of Federal Way slowly grew over time becoming an incorporated town in 1990, and finally achieving city status in 1993 when it officially became a part of King County. During this period, several large corporations such as Weyerhaeuser and World Vision moved their headquarters to Federal Way resulting in an influx of jobs for local residents.
The city continued to grow throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s with more businesses relocating their operations here including SeaTac Mall which opened in 2001 bringing additional shopping options for residents as well as visitors from surrounding areas. Additionally, several new parks were built including Celebration Park which features a skatepark and playground as well as Dash Point State Park which offers beach access and trails for hiking or biking.
Today, Federal Way has become one of Washington’s most desirable locations offering residents a unique blend of urban amenities coupled with natural beauty making it attractive for those looking for convenience without sacrificing relaxation. With its diverse population, cultural attractions and proximity to major cities like Seattle or Tacoma; Federal Way truly has something for everyone.
Economy of Federal Way, Washington
Federal Way, Washington is a vibrant city with a diverse and thriving economy. Located in King County, Federal Way has become an attractive destination for businesses looking to expand into the Pacific Northwest due to its proximity to Seattle and Tacoma. The city offers a variety of economic opportunities ranging from retail and hospitality to technology and manufacturing.
Retail makes up the majority of the local economy in Federal Way, with many stores and shops located along Pacific Highway South. Popular destinations include SeaTac Mall, which features over 100 stores as well as a movie theater, bowling alley, and arcade; The Commons at Federal Way which offers shopping for apparel, home goods, electronics, toys, and more; as well as numerous smaller boutique shops throughout the area. In addition to retail establishments, Federal Way also has several restaurants and bars offering cuisines from all over the world.
The hospitality industry is another major contributor to the local economy in Federal Way with numerous hotels located along Pacific Highway South including Marriott Courtyard Hotel, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Seattle Tacoma Airport Hotel & Conference Center, Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle/Tacoma Airport Hotel & Conference Center among others. These hotels offer visitors comfortable accommodations when traveling through the area or attending conferences within the city limits.
In addition to retail and hospitality services; technology and manufacturing are also major components of Federal Way’s economy with several large companies such as Weyerhaeuser Corporation (wood products), World Vision (non-profit organization) headquartered here. Furthermore; there are several other technology-based businesses located throughout the city including Microsoft Corporation’s Data Centre and Amazon’s Distribution Centre both of which employ hundreds of local residents on a daily basis.
Overall; Federal Way has experienced significant economic growth over recent years due in part to its convenient location between Seattle and Tacoma as well as its diverse range of industries from retail to technology that have helped create thousands of jobs for local residents. With continued investment into infrastructure projects such as roadways or public transportation; this trend is expected to continue making it an even more attractive destination for businesses looking for a place to call home in Washington State.
Politics in Federal Way, Washington
Federal Way is located in the Puget Sound region of Washington State and is a suburb of both Seattle and Tacoma. As of 2019, the population was estimated to be around 95,000 people, making it the 9th largest city in Washington State. The city holds a non-partisan mayor-council form of government with seven council members who are elected at-large. The current mayor is Jim Ferrell, who was first elected in 2013.
The Federal Way City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at City Hall to discuss issues related to city governance such as public safety, infrastructure projects, economic development initiatives, and other matters that affect the community. The council also works with local businesses and organizations to ensure that their needs are being met in order for them to succeed.
The city also has several committees that meet regularly throughout the year to discuss specific topics such as environmental concerns or transportation issues. These committees include the Public Safety Committee, Transportation Committee, Parks & Recreation Committee, Planning Commission, Economic Development Advisory Board, and Community Relations Advisory Board among others.
The city works with state and federal representatives on legislative issues that affect Federal Way residents such as transportation funding for road projects or tax breaks for businesses seeking to locate within the city limits. Additionally; there are numerous non-profit organizations located within Federal Way that work together with local government officials on various initiatives such as homelessness prevention or educational programs for youth.
Overall; Federal Way is a vibrant community filled with many different types of people from all walks of life who come together to make it a great place to live and work. With its diverse population and strong economy; it’s easy to see why Federal Way has become one of Washington State’s most popular places for businesses looking for a place to call home.