Papaikou, Hawaii Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Papaikou, Hawaii had a total population of 1,332, the 114th largest community in Hawaii, with a median household income of $79,079, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.9%.
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: 71/100).
Papaikou Quick Facts
How Papaikou 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 | 1,325 | 1,332 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $80,972 | $79,079 | -2.3% |
| Median home value | $431,100 | $434,300 | +0.7% |
How Papaikou 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+)
Papaikou 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 Papaikou
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keaau | 1,436 | $85,000 | $332,900 | 17.3% | 11.5% |
| Pahoa | 1,361 | $56,042 | $375,900 | 17.1% | 34.7% |
| Kaloko | 1,432 | $103,654 | $1,308,600 | 26.4% | 17.5% |
| Haliimaile | 1,105 | $88,259 | $874,000 | 14.6% | 7.9% |
| Halaula | 1,033 | N/A | $573,700 | 20.5% | 14.7% |
Population Overview
Papaikou is a small community located in Hawaii, within Hawaii County. The total population is 1,332. It ranks as the 114th most populous out of 163 Census-designated places in Hawaii.
Age Demographics
The median age in Papaikou is 36.9 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Papaikou is $79,079. This is 21% lower than the state median of $100,389. It is also 2% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.9%. This is 8% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $434,300. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $839,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 70.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 63.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Papaikou is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 9.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (9.8%) is well below the state average of 20.9%.
Education
19.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 93.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Papaikou, 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 Papaikou, Hawaii?
Papaikou, Hawaii has a population of 1,332 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Papaikou, HI?
The median household income in Papaikou is $79,079, which is 2% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Papaikou, HI?
The poverty rate in Papaikou is 10.9%. This means approximately 143 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Papaikou, Hawaii?
Papaikou's population is 9.8% White, 0.0% Black, 7.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 27.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Papaikou, HI?
The median home value in Papaikou is $434,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x.
How educated is Papaikou, Hawaii?
19.1% of adults (25+) in Papaikou hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.