Fife is a city in Pierce County, Washington, United States and a suburb of Tacoma.

[7] There is also a historic county of Scotland and former Pictish kingdom called Fife, which could also be a source of the city's name.

In 1940, Fife was described as "at a valley crossroads in the midst of a thickly settled berry growing and truck-gardening district is represented by a string of markets, taverns, shops, and a large, balloon-roofed dance hall along the highway."

[8] It had a large Japanese American population until Executive Order 9066 forced residents into internment camps.

The city had been created to prevent the annexation of its business district by Tacoma and to give the area a distinct identity.

[9][10] Joe Vraves was elected as Fife's first mayor and served in that position until becoming a Pierce County councilmember in 1981.

[12] The freeway's opening led to new commercial development in Fife, including those catering towards motorists, that brought high sales tax revenue to the city.

[13] Fife, an eastern suburb of Tacoma, consists primarily of businesses such as car dealerships, warehousing and industrial facilities, motels, drive through smoke shops, quick-dining restaurants as well as a Native American casino and various other highway-side businesses.

Its proximity to the Port of Tacoma, Interstate 5, and Highway 167 has contributed to the large number of freight forwarding companies.

[14] Fife Heights, located on a hill beyond the incorporated bounds of the city, is a primarily residential area.

Fife is entirely within the Puyallup Indian Reservation created in 1854, but title is held almost entirely by non-Native Americans.

[2] Fife is also a tideflat community, residing in the low, flat area extending from the Port of Tacoma.

Much of the city would be damaged or destroyed in the event of a lahar due to an eruption of Mount Rainier.

Of these, the violent crimes consisted of 7 murders, 48 forcible rapes, 254 robberies and 440 aggravated assaults, while 585 burglaries, 2,716 larceny-thefts, 1,580 motor vehicle thefts and 48 acts of arson defined the property offenses.

The majority of the city limits is in the Fife Public Schools district, which also includes Milton and parts of Edgewood.