Pahala, Hawaii Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pahala, Hawaii had a total population of 1,768, the 104th largest community in Hawaii, with a median household income of $71,518, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Hawaii (diversity index: 73/100).
- Unemployment rate of 12.7% is notably above the national average.
Pahala Quick Facts
How Pahala 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 | 1,785 | 1,768 | -1.0% |
| Median household income | $71,908 | $71,518 | -0.5% |
| Median home value | $216,600 | $224,500 | +3.6% |
How Pahala 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+)
Pahala 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 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to Pahala
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waimea (Kauai County) | 1,840 | $89,205 | $769,700 | 27.4% | 8.5% |
| Pepeekeo | 2,056 | $70,625 | $463,400 | 30.5% | 21.7% |
| Mokuleia | 1,655 | $88,750 | $1,057,200 | 48.9% | 15.0% |
| Honokaa | 1,963 | $87,019 | $610,600 | 19.4% | 6.3% |
| Hawi | 2,070 | $84,457 | $693,600 | 30.3% | 10.1% |
Population Overview
Pahala is a small community located in Hawaii, within Hawaii County. The total population is 1,768. It ranks as the 104th most populous out of 163 Census-designated places in Hawaii.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pahala is 32.4 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 40.9 years. With 30.8% of the population under 18, Pahala has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pahala is $71,518. This is 29% lower than the state median of $100,389. It is also 11% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.3%. This is 12% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 12.7%. This is 159% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $224,500. Housing costs are 73% lower than the state median of $839,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 78.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 63.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Pahala is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Asian residents account for 30.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (5.4%) is well below the state average of 20.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (3.6% vs 1.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (31.6% vs 9.9%).
Education
23.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 95.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pahala, 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 Pahala, Hawaii?
Pahala, Hawaii has a population of 1,768 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pahala, HI?
The median household income in Pahala is $71,518, which is 11% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pahala, HI?
The poverty rate in Pahala is 11.3%. This means approximately 191 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pahala, Hawaii?
Pahala's population is 5.4% White, 3.6% Black, 31.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 30.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pahala, HI?
The median home value in Pahala is $224,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Pahala, Hawaii?
23.0% of adults (25+) in Pahala hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.