Kahului, Hawaii Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kahului, Hawaii had a total population of 28,288, the 8th largest community in Hawaii, with a median household income of $98,077, which is 2% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.8x the median household income.
Kahului Quick Facts
How Kahului 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 | 27,068 | 28,288 | +4.5% |
| Median household income | $92,062 | $98,077 | +6.5% |
| Median home value | $833,200 | $862,600 | +3.5% |
How Kahului 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+)
Kahului Rankings in Hawaii
Explore Hawaii Rankings
Other Cities in Maui County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kihei | 21,567 | $87,772 | 7.4% | $919,900 |
| Wailuku | 16,926 | $102,942 | 4.6% | $855,700 |
| Waihee-Waiehu | 10,988 | $126,735 | 6.0% | $777,000 |
| Lahaina | 10,162 | $88,889 | 11.5% | $881,700 |
| Haiku-Pauwela | 9,178 | $101,396 | 8.3% | $1,093,800 |
| Pukalani | 8,679 | $102,976 | 10.6% | $973,700 |
| Makawao | 7,353 | $96,444 | 10.2% | $888,000 |
| Napili-Honokowai | 7,308 | $105,565 | 8.1% | $878,900 |
| Kula | 6,791 | $100,433 | 12.3% | $1,127,700 |
| Wailea | 6,352 | $90,000 | 14.0% | $1,534,800 |
Cities Similar to Kahului
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mililani Town | 27,668 | $127,363 | $923,900 | 43.8% | 3.2% |
| Ewa Gentry | 26,563 | $135,684 | $816,000 | 30.5% | 2.9% |
| Kailua (Hawaii County) | 21,818 | $88,211 | $667,400 | 33.6% | 14.3% |
| Kihei | 21,567 | $87,772 | $919,900 | 31.4% | 7.4% |
| Kapolei | 22,232 | $128,324 | $744,200 | 29.9% | 6.3% |
Population Overview
Kahului is a mid-sized community located in Hawaii, within Maui County. The total population is 28,288. It ranks as the 8th most populous out of 163 Census-designated places in Hawaii.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kahului is 43.0 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 40.9 years. 11.1% 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 Kahului is $98,077. This is 2% lower than the state median of $100,389. It is also 21% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.7%. This is 13% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 29% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $862,600. Housing costs are 3% higher than the state median of $839,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.8x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 64.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 63.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Kahului is Asian, making up 55.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 10.6%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (55.4% vs 36.4%).
Education
24.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% 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 89.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kahului, 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 Kahului, Hawaii?
Kahului, Hawaii has a population of 28,288 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kahului, HI?
The median household income in Kahului is $98,077, which is 21% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kahului, HI?
The poverty rate in Kahului is 8.7%. This means approximately 2,376 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kahului, Hawaii?
Kahului's population is 10.6% White, 1.4% Black, 7.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 55.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kahului, HI?
The median home value in Kahului is $862,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.8x.
How educated is Kahului, Hawaii?
24.6% of adults (25+) in Kahului hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.