2nd most populous of 5
With 209,790 residents in 2024, Hawaii County ranks 2nd by population among Hawaii's 5 counties and is home to 14.5% of the state's residents.
Hawaii County is home to 209,790 people (2024 estimate) on 4,028 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.
Key indicators
Population
209,790
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
200,629
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
+4.6%
2020–2024
Land area
4,028 mi²
10,434 km²
Population density
52.1 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
1,738
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
2,060
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
−322
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
+2,076
Domestic + international, 2024
Per capita personal income
$57,694
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$12.2 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$78,639
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
14.9%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
31.4%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
11.8%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value
$519,300
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
3.0%
BLS annual average, 2024
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
2000–2024209,790▲ 41%
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 209,790 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 185,079 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 149,244 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | +40.6% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +1,452 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | +624 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 8.3 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 9.8 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in Hawaii | 2nd of 5 | 2024 · calculated |
| Per capita personal income | $57,694 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $12.2 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $78,639 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 14.9% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 31.4% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 11.8% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $519,300 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $1,510/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 44.3 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 74,072 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.0% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
Hawaii County (Big Island) in context
Comparable indicators for Hawaii County (Big Island), Hawaii and the United States.
| Indicator | County | Hawaii | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | +4.6% | −0.6% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 8.3 | 10.2 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 9.8 | 8.6 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | 9.9 | 1.8 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 52.1 | 225.2 | 96.3 | 2024 |
| Per capita personal income | $57,694 | $71,019 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $78,639 | $100,389 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 14.9% | 10.0% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 31.4% | 36.1% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 11.8% | 17.9% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $519,300 | $839,100 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $1,510/month | $1,971/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 44.3 years | 40.9 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.0% | 63.0% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
Cities & towns
2 cities · choose how to order them
Hilo
45,000 residents
Kailua-Kona
24,000 residents
Did you know? Hawaii County (Big Island)
A quarter century of change
Its population went from 149,244 in 2000 to 209,790 in 2024, a change of +40.6%, compared with +19.2% for Hawaii as a whole.
Births and deaths
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 1,738 births and 2,060 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 322.
Record population
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population in 2024, at 209,790.
4th in density
Hawaii County has about 52.1 residents per square mile of land, ranking 4th of 5 counties; Hawaii averages 225.2.
Household income rank
With a median household income of $78,639 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 4th of 5 Hawaii counties; the state median is $100,389.
Size of the economy
Its economy produced $12.2 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 2nd largest among 5 Hawaii counties.
Latest economic growth
Real GDP grew 4.3% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).
Sources and methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — County population totals and components, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — County estimates 2010–2020
- U.S. Census Bureau — Intercensal estimates 2000–2010
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer files (land area)
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional economic accounts
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — LAUS