Hanalei, Hawaii Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hanalei, Hawaii had a total population of 272, the 152nd largest community in Hawaii, with a median household income of $123,750, which is 23% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 0.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 0.7% — among the lowest in Hawaii.
- 59.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Hawaii.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 16.2x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 11.1% is notably above the national average.
Hanalei Quick Facts
How Hanalei 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 | 239 | 272 | +13.8% |
| Median household income | $114,375 | $123,750 | +8.2% |
| Median home value | $2,000,000+ | $2,000,000+ | +0.0% |
How Hanalei 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 76 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Hanalei Rankings in Hawaii
Explore Hawaii Rankings
Other Cities in Kauai County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kapaa | 11,094 | $89,477 | 7.5% | $861,300 |
| Lihue | 7,901 | $92,850 | 6.3% | $878,500 |
| Wailua Homesteads | 5,431 | $89,717 | 9.9% | $943,400 |
| Hanamaulu | 4,972 | $82,358 | 6.2% | $687,500 |
| Kalaheo | 4,435 | $110,607 | 11.4% | $956,900 |
| Puhi | 4,362 | $137,292 | 8.6% | $701,400 |
| Kekaha | 3,768 | $84,375 | 18.9% | $682,900 |
| Kilauea | 3,146 | $91,984 | 18.5% | $1,087,400 |
| Anahola | 3,067 | $100,688 | 10.3% | $530,100 |
| Koloa | 2,907 | $77,868 | 7.1% | $927,300 |
Cities Similar to Hanalei
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puako | 259 | $122,813 | $1,267,900 | 53.7% | 11.6% |
| Kukuihaele | 310 | N/A | $647,700 | 30.8% | 16.2% |
| Kamaili | 221 | N/A | N/A | 46.7% | 64.7% |
| Kalihiwai | 219 | $127,813 | $2,000,000+ | 38.6% | 6.9% |
| Wainiha | 362 | $99,375 | $961,500 | 47.3% | 4.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 272, Hanalei's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Hanalei is a small community located in Hawaii, within Kauai County. The total population is 272. It ranks as the 152nd most populous out of 163 Census-designated places in Hawaii.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hanalei is 65.8 years. This is 61% higher than the state median of 40.9 years. Only 14.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hanalei is $123,750. This is 23% higher than the state median of $100,389. It is also 53% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 0.7%. This is 93% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 11.1%. This is 126% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $2,000,000+. Housing costs are 138% higher than the state median of $839,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 16.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 70.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 63.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Hanalei is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.7% of the population. Asian residents account for 10.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (82.7% vs 20.9%). The Asian population (10.7%) is well below the state average of 36.4%.
Education
59.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Hanalei in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 65% 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 91.0%. Notably, 15.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hanalei, 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 Hanalei, Hawaii?
Hanalei, Hawaii has a population of 272 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hanalei, HI?
The median household income in Hanalei is $123,750, which is 53% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hanalei, HI?
The poverty rate in Hanalei is 0.7%. This means approximately 2 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hanalei, Hawaii?
Hanalei's population is 82.7% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 10.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hanalei, HI?
The median home value in Hanalei is $2,000,000+. The home-value-to-income ratio is 16.2x.
How educated is Hanalei, Hawaii?
59.5% of adults (25+) in Hanalei hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.