Kailua (Hawaii County), Hawaii Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kailua (Hawaii County), Hawaii had a total population of 21,818, the 12th largest community in Hawaii, with a median household income of $88,211, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.3%.
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 7.6x the median household income.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Hawaii (diversity index: 74/100).
Kailua (Hawaii County) Quick Facts
How Kailua (Hawaii County) 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 | 21,851 | 21,818 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $86,743 | $88,211 | +1.7% |
| Median home value | $649,400 | $667,400 | +2.8% |
How Kailua (Hawaii County) 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+)
Kailua (Hawaii County) 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 |
| 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 Kailua (Hawaii County)
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kihei | 21,567 | $87,772 | $919,900 | 31.4% | 7.4% |
| Wahiawa | 17,996 | $87,143 | $806,200 | 22.1% | 16.3% |
| Makakilo | 20,735 | $118,550 | $867,200 | 36.4% | 9.2% |
| Kapolei | 22,232 | $128,324 | $744,200 | 29.9% | 6.3% |
| Mililani Mauka | 21,278 | $138,942 | $988,100 | 51.5% | 3.3% |
Population Overview
Kailua (Hawaii County) is a small city located in Hawaii, within Hawaii County. The total population is 21,818. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 163 Census-designated places in Hawaii.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kailua (Hawaii County) is 41.6 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kailua (Hawaii County) is $88,211. This is 12% lower than the state median of $100,389. It is also 9% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.3%. This is 42% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.0%. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $667,400. Housing costs are 20% lower than the state median of $839,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.6x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 67.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 63.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Kailua (Hawaii County) is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Asian residents account for 19.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (40.1% vs 20.9%). The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
33.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 7% 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 91.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kailua (Hawaii County), 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 Kailua (Hawaii County), Hawaii?
Kailua (Hawaii County), Hawaii has a population of 21,818 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kailua (Hawaii County), HI?
The median household income in Kailua (Hawaii County) is $88,211, which is 9% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kailua (Hawaii County), HI?
The poverty rate in Kailua (Hawaii County) is 14.3%. This means approximately 3,099 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kailua (Hawaii County), Hawaii?
Kailua (Hawaii County)'s population is 40.1% White, 0.2% Black, 8.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 19.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kailua (Hawaii County), HI?
The median home value in Kailua (Hawaii County) is $667,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.6x.
How educated is Kailua (Hawaii County), Hawaii?
33.6% of adults (25+) in Kailua (Hawaii County) hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.