Fern Acres, Hawaii Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fern Acres, Hawaii had a total population of 1,480, the 110th largest community in Hawaii, with a median household income of $40,400, which is 60% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 60% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.9x the median household income.
Fern Acres Quick Facts
How Fern Acres 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 | 1,714 | 1,480 | -13.7% |
| Median household income | $49,554 | $40,400 | -18.5% |
| Median home value | $267,400 | $319,800 | +19.6% |
How Fern Acres 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+)
Fern Acres Rankings in Hawaii
Explore Hawaii Rankings
Other Cities in Hawaii County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hilo | 50,404 | $81,779 | 14.5% | $483,000 |
| Kailua (Hawaii County) | 21,818 | $88,211 | 14.3% | $667,400 |
| Hawaiian Paradise Park | 13,203 | $88,348 | 10.4% | $457,100 |
| Kaiminani | 11,465 | $110,560 | 9.8% | $772,800 |
| Waimea (Hawaii County) | 9,286 | $100,198 | 12.3% | $677,400 |
| Waikoloa Village | 7,543 | $81,703 | 12.3% | $802,600 |
| Kahaluu-Keauhou | 5,150 | $96,212 | 8.6% | $886,900 |
| Hawaiian Ocean View | 4,431 | $45,043 | 25.4% | $318,200 |
| Ainaloa | 4,094 | $58,918 | 26.7% | $228,300 |
| Hawaiian Beaches | 3,947 | $29,295 | 40.4% | $272,700 |
Cities Similar to Fern Acres
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leilani Estates | 1,490 | $30,192 | $268,100 | 24.8% | 29.0% |
| Pahoa | 1,361 | $56,042 | $375,900 | 17.1% | 34.7% |
| Fern Forest | 1,088 | $42,917 | $170,900 | 18.3% | 30.6% |
| Nanawale Estates | 1,692 | $26,683 | $232,600 | 14.8% | 53.0% |
| Halaula | 1,033 | N/A | $573,700 | 20.5% | 14.7% |
Population Overview
Fern Acres is a small community located in Hawaii, within Hawaii County. The total population is 1,480. It ranks as the 110th most populous out of 163 Census-designated places in Hawaii.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fern Acres is 57.0 years. This is 39% higher than the state median of 40.9 years. Only 10.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fern Acres is $40,400. This is 60% lower than the state median of $100,389. It is also 50% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.4%. This is 173% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.8%. This is 39% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $319,800. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $839,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.9x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 84.2% 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 Fern Acres is White (non-Hispanic), making up 49.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (49.6% vs 20.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (15.7% vs 9.9%). The Asian population (5.3%) is well below the state average of 36.4%.
Education
24.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% lower 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 96.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fern Acres, 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 Fern Acres, Hawaii?
Fern Acres, Hawaii has a population of 1,480 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fern Acres, HI?
The median household income in Fern Acres is $40,400, which is 50% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fern Acres, HI?
The poverty rate in Fern Acres is 27.4%. This means approximately 405 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fern Acres, Hawaii?
Fern Acres's population is 49.6% White, 0.9% Black, 15.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fern Acres, HI?
The median home value in Fern Acres is $319,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.9x.
How educated is Fern Acres, Hawaii?
24.1% of adults (25+) in Fern Acres hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.