East Honolulu, Hawaii Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, East Honolulu, Hawaii had a total population of 51,360, the 2nd largest community in Hawaii, with a median household income of $159,518, which is 59% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- East Honolulu is the 2nd largest city in Hawaii with a population of 51,360.
- Household income is 59% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Hawaii.
- 59.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Hawaii.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.6x the median household income.
East Honolulu Quick Facts
How East Honolulu Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,961 | 51,360 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $158,398 | $159,518 | +0.7% |
| Median home value | $1,172,300 | $1,212,000 | +3.4% |
How East Honolulu Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 76 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
East Honolulu Rankings in Hawaii
Explore Hawaii Rankings
Other Cities in Honolulu County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu | 345,482 | $86,504 | 11.9% | $843,400 |
| Pearl City | 44,547 | $118,112 | 5.8% | $901,500 |
| Waipahu | 40,482 | $103,895 | 12.0% | $868,600 |
| Kailua (Honolulu County) | 39,640 | $148,582 | 4.0% | $1,353,700 |
| Kaneohe | 37,355 | $125,613 | 9.7% | $1,029,700 |
| Mililani Town | 27,668 | $127,363 | 3.2% | $923,900 |
| Ewa Gentry | 26,563 | $135,684 | 2.9% | $816,000 |
| Kapolei | 22,232 | $128,324 | 6.3% | $744,200 |
| Mililani Mauka | 21,278 | $138,942 | 3.3% | $988,100 |
| Makakilo | 20,735 | $118,550 | 9.2% | $867,200 |
Cities Similar to East Honolulu
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pearl City | 44,547 | $118,112 | $901,500 | 39.0% | 5.8% |
| Kailua (Honolulu County) | 39,640 | $148,582 | $1,353,700 | 55.5% | 4.0% |
| Hilo | 50,404 | $81,779 | $483,000 | 34.6% | 14.5% |
| Kaneohe | 37,355 | $125,613 | $1,029,700 | 37.1% | 9.7% |
| Waipahu | 40,482 | $103,895 | $868,600 | 20.1% | 12.0% |
Population Overview
East Honolulu is a mid-sized community located in Hawaii, within Honolulu County. The total population is 51,360. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 163 Census-designated places in Hawaii.
Age Demographics
The median age in East Honolulu is 49.1 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 40.9 years. 15.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in East Honolulu is $159,518. This is 59% higher than the state median of $100,389. It is also 98% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.3%. This is 47% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $1,212,000. Housing costs are 44% higher than the state median of $839,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.6x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 84.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% higher than the state average of 63.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in East Honolulu is Asian, making up 46.8% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 23.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.7%) is well below the state average of 9.9%.
Education
59.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places East Honolulu in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 66% higher than the state rate of 36.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.6%. Notably, 27.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for East Honolulu, Hawaii is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Hawaii state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 163 Census-designated places in Hawaii. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of East Honolulu, Hawaii?
East Honolulu, Hawaii has a population of 51,360 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in East Honolulu, HI?
The median household income in East Honolulu is $159,518, which is 98% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in East Honolulu, HI?
The poverty rate in East Honolulu is 5.3%. This means approximately 2,717 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of East Honolulu, Hawaii?
East Honolulu's population is 23.0% White, 0.9% Black, 4.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 46.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in East Honolulu, HI?
The median home value in East Honolulu is $1,212,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.6x.
How educated is East Honolulu, Hawaii?
59.9% of adults (25+) in East Honolulu hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 27.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.