Hilo CDP, Hawaii Demographics & Population 2026

Name: Hilo CDP, Hawaii Demographics
Creator: U.S. Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

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3rd Largest3rd most populous city in Hawaii

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Highly DiverseNo single racial/ethnic group makes up a majority of the population

As of 2026, Hilo CDP, Hawaii has a total population of 48,223, the 3rd largest city in Hawaii, with a median household income of $78,713, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.1%.

Key Takeaways

Hilo CDP is the 3rd largest city in Hawaii with a population of 48,223.

Hilo CDP Quick Facts

Population 48,223

Median Household Income $78,713

Median Home Value $455,100

Poverty Rate 14.1%

Unemployment Rate 7.2%

Median Age 42.6 years

Homeownership Rate 65.5%

Affordability Ratio 5.8x

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 34.0%

High School Graduation Rate 94.7%

Diversity Index 61/100

Population 48,223 3rd of 163

Median Income $78,713 bottom 30%

Poverty Rate 14.1% 13% higher national

Median Home Value $455,100 bottom 30%

How Hilo CDP Compares

Median Household Income

Hilo CDP

$78,713

$98,317

National

$78,538

Median Home Value

Hilo CDP

$455,100

$808,200

National

$303,400

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 17.7%

$25K-$50K 14.4%

$50K-$100K 26.9%

$100K+ 40.9%

Employment

7.2% Unemployment Rate State: 5.0% | National: 5.2%

59.5% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 65.5%

Renter 34.5%

Affordability Index Expensive

5.8x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Age Distribution

Under 18

20.5%

18-34

20.2%

35-54

22.9%

55-74

26.0%

75+

10.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Diversity Index

High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 67 | National average: 60

Education

Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)

Hilo CDP Rankings in Hawaii

#3 Population of 163

#113 Median Income of 163

#64 Education of 163

#118 Home Value of 163

Explore Hawaii Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Cities Similar to Hilo CDP

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

City	Population	Median Income	Home Value	Bachelor's+	Poverty
Pearl City CDP	45,079	$114,682	$872,200	37.0%	6.2%
Waipahu CDP	39,871	$98,633	$835,400	18.6%	11.4%
East Honolulu CDP	50,961	$158,398	$1,172,300	60.6%	4.1%
Kailua CDP (Honolulu County)	39,762	$146,615	$1,239,000	54.7%	4.1%
Kaneohe CDP	35,945	$124,632	$990,100	36.7%	9.0%

Population Overview

Hilo CDP is a mid-sized community located in Hawaii. The total population is 48,223. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 163 cities and towns in Hawaii.

Age Demographics

The median age in Hilo CDP is 42.6 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 40.6 years. 10.5% 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 Hilo CDP is $78,713. This is 20% lower than the state median of $98,317. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is about average. The poverty rate stands at 14.1%. This is 41% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.2%. This is 43% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $455,100. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $808,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x. 65.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 62.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

Hilo CDP is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 15.6%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.

Education

34.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% lower than the state rate of 35.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.7%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Hilo CDP, Hawaii is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Hilo CDP, Hawaii?

Hilo CDP, Hawaii has a population of 48,223 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Hilo CDP, HI?

The median household income in Hilo CDP is $78,713, which is about average the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Hilo CDP, HI?

The poverty rate in Hilo CDP is 14.1%. This means approximately 6,603 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Hilo CDP, Hawaii?

Hilo CDP's population is 15.6% White, 0.8% Black, 11.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 31.5% Asian.

What is the median home value in Hilo CDP, HI?

The median home value in Hilo CDP is $455,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x.

How educated is Hilo CDP, Hawaii?

34.0% of adults (25+) in Hilo CDP hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.