Swelling population leads to housing crunch

Originally published Saturday, November 9, 1996

By MARK HIGGINS
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Affordable housing has always been a selling point in Federal Way. It was back in 1955 when the Post-Intelligencer first identified the area as one of the fastest growing in the state.

And it has never let up. From 1960 to 1970, Federal Way's population doubled to 29,000. From 1970 to 1990, it doubled again to 67,000. By 2010, the population is estimated at 140,000.

The city is a place of young people. About half are under 30. Less than 7 percent are seniors. The young, educated, upwardly mobile population has increased demand for schools, roads, housing, day care, play fields and parks.

The Federal Way School District has had to open a new elementary school every year for the past five years.

Such growth "comes with pains," says Jeff Stock, who grew up in Browns Point and owns commercial property in the area, including Wild Waves and Enchanted Village.

"It is a city that is fighting for its own identity," Stock says. But the growth does not diminish the fact that Federal Way is an "outstanding" place to live.