Hilo, Hawaii Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hilo, Hawaii had a total population of 50,404, the 3rd largest community in Hawaii, with a median household income of $81,779, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Hilo is the 3rd largest city in Hawaii with a population of 50,404.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Hawaii (diversity index: 76/100).
Hilo Quick Facts
How Hilo 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 | 48,223 | 50,404 | +4.5% |
| Median household income | $78,713 | $81,779 | +3.9% |
| Median home value | $455,100 | $483,000 | +6.1% |
How Hilo 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
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 76 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Hilo Rankings in Hawaii
Explore Hawaii Rankings
Other Cities in Hawaii County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Hawaiian Acres | 3,872 | $91,120 | 23.6% | $318,400 |
Cities Similar to Hilo
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% |
| Waipahu | 40,482 | $103,895 | $868,600 | 20.1% | 12.0% |
| East Honolulu | 51,360 | $159,518 | $1,212,000 | 59.9% | 5.3% |
| Kaneohe | 37,355 | $125,613 | $1,029,700 | 37.1% | 9.7% |
| Kailua (Honolulu County) | 39,640 | $148,582 | $1,353,700 | 55.5% | 4.0% |
Population Overview
Hilo is a mid-sized community located in Hawaii, within Hawaii County. The total population is 50,404. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 163 Census-designated places in Hawaii.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hilo is 42.7 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 40.9 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 is $81,779. This is 19% lower than the state median of $100,389. It is also 1% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.5%. This is 45% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.9%. This is 40% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $483,000. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $839,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x. 66.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 63.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Hilo is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 14.3%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
34.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% 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 94.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hilo, 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 Hilo, Hawaii?
Hilo, Hawaii has a population of 50,404 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hilo, HI?
The median household income in Hilo is $81,779, which is 1% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hilo, HI?
The poverty rate in Hilo is 14.5%. This means approximately 7,099 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hilo, Hawaii?
Hilo's population is 14.3% White, 0.8% Black, 11.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 34.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hilo, HI?
The median home value in Hilo is $483,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x.
How educated is Hilo, Hawaii?
34.6% of adults (25+) in Hilo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.