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Kapolei, Hawaii Demographics & Population 2026

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

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kapolei, Hawaii had a total population of 22,232, the 11th largest community in Hawaii, with a median household income of $128,324, which is 28% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.3%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Key Takeaways

Kapolei Quick Facts

Population 22,232
Median Household Income $128,324
Median Home Value $744,200
Poverty Rate 6.3%
Unemployment Rate 6.7%
Median Age 35.3 years
Homeownership Rate 76.5%
Affordability Ratio 5.8x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 29.9%
High School Graduation Rate 93.6%
Diversity Index 78/100
Population 22,232 11th of 163
Median Income $128,324 top 20%
Poverty Rate 6.3% 49% lower than national
Median Home Value $744,200 average

How Kapolei Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population23,03322,232-3.5%
Median household income$129,260$128,324-0.7%
Median home value$720,600$744,200+3.3%

How Kapolei Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 6.5%
$25K-$50K 7.9%
$50K-$100K 20.1%
$100K+ 65.6%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
1.4%
$10K-$15K
2.9%
$15K-$20K
1.4%
$20K-$25K
0.8%
$25K-$30K
1.2%
$30K-$35K
1.9%
$35K-$40K
1.8%
$40K-$45K
1.3%
$45K-$50K
1.7%
$50K-$60K
5.1%
$60K-$75K
2.9%
$75K-$100K
11.9%
$100K-$125K
14.2%
$125K-$150K
13.8%
$150K-$200K
12.9%
$200K+
24.7%

Employment

6.7% Unemployment Rate State: 4.9%|National: 5.2%
73.4% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 76.5%
Renter 23.5%
Affordability Index Expensive
5.8x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $2,311/mo 21.6% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

78out of 100
Very High Diversity

This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.

State average: 76 | National average: 61

Education

Kapolei Rankings in Hawaii

#11 Population of 163
#23 Median Income of 159
#91 Education of 163
#88 Home Value of 153

Other Cities in Honolulu County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Urban Honolulu 345,482 $86,504 11.9% $843,400
East Honolulu 51,360 $159,518 5.3% $1,212,000
Pearl City 44,547 $118,112 5.8% $901,500
Waipahu 40,482 $103,895 12.0% $868,600
Kailua (Honolulu County) 39,640 $148,582 4.0% $1,353,700
Kaneohe 37,355 $125,613 9.7% $1,029,700
Mililani Town 27,668 $127,363 3.2% $923,900
Ewa Gentry 26,563 $135,684 2.9% $816,000
Mililani Mauka 21,278 $138,942 3.3% $988,100
Makakilo 20,735 $118,550 9.2% $867,200

Cities Similar to Kapolei

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

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Mililani Mauka21,278$138,942$988,10051.5%3.3%
Makakilo20,735$118,550$867,20036.4%9.2%
Ewa Gentry26,563$135,684$816,00030.5%2.9%
Kailua (Hawaii County)21,818$88,211$667,40033.6%14.3%
Kihei21,567$87,772$919,90031.4%7.4%

Population Overview

Kapolei is a small city located in Hawaii, within Honolulu County. The total population is 22,232. It ranks as the 11th most populous out of 163 Census-designated places in Hawaii.

Age Demographics

The median age in Kapolei is 35.3 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Kapolei is $128,324. This is 28% higher than the state median of $100,389. It is also 59% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.3%. This is 37% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.7%. This is 37% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $744,200. Housing costs are 11% lower than the state median of $839,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x. 76.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 63.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

Kapolei is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 17.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (17.5% vs 9.9%).

Education

29.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% 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 93.6%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Kapolei, 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 Kapolei, Hawaii?

Kapolei, Hawaii has a population of 22,232 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Kapolei, HI?

The median household income in Kapolei is $128,324, which is 59% higher than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Kapolei, HI?

The poverty rate in Kapolei is 6.3%. This means approximately 1,377 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Kapolei, Hawaii?

Kapolei's population is 11.1% White, 2.0% Black, 17.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 26.2% Asian.

What is the median home value in Kapolei, HI?

The median home value in Kapolei is $744,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x.

How educated is Kapolei, Hawaii?

29.9% of adults (25+) in Kapolei hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.