Pearl City, Hawaii Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pearl City, Hawaii had a total population of 44,547, the 4th largest community in Hawaii, with a median household income of $118,112, which is 18% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Pearl City is the 4th largest city in Hawaii with a population of 44,547.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.6x the median household income.
Pearl City Quick Facts
How Pearl City 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 | 45,079 | 44,547 | -1.2% |
| Median household income | $114,682 | $118,112 | +3.0% |
| Median home value | $872,200 | $901,500 | +3.4% |
How Pearl City 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+)
Pearl City Rankings in Hawaii
Explore Hawaii Rankings
Other Cities in Honolulu County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu | 345,482 | $86,504 | 11.9% | $843,400 |
| East Honolulu | 51,360 | $159,518 | 5.3% | $1,212,000 |
| 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 |
| Kapolei | 22,232 | $128,324 | 6.3% | $744,200 |
| Mililani Mauka | 21,278 | $138,942 | 3.3% | $988,100 |
| Makakilo | 20,735 | $118,550 | 9.2% | $867,200 |
Cities Similar to Pearl City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waipahu | 40,482 | $103,895 | $868,600 | 20.1% | 12.0% |
| Kaneohe | 37,355 | $125,613 | $1,029,700 | 37.1% | 9.7% |
| Kailua (Honolulu County) | 39,640 | $148,582 | $1,353,700 | 55.5% | 4.0% |
| East Honolulu | 51,360 | $159,518 | $1,212,000 | 59.9% | 5.3% |
| Hilo | 50,404 | $81,779 | $483,000 | 34.6% | 14.5% |
Population Overview
Pearl City is a mid-sized community located in Hawaii, within Honolulu County. The total population is 44,547. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 163 Census-designated places in Hawaii.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pearl City is 45.8 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 40.9 years. 14.4% 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 Pearl City is $118,112. This is 18% higher than the state median of $100,389. It is also 46% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.8%. This is 42% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.8%. This is 44% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $901,500. Housing costs are 7% higher 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. 71.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 63.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Pearl City is Asian, making up 54.5% 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
39.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% higher 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 94.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pearl City, 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 Pearl City, Hawaii?
Pearl City, Hawaii has a population of 44,547 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pearl City, HI?
The median household income in Pearl City is $118,112, which is 46% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pearl City, HI?
The poverty rate in Pearl City is 5.8%. This means approximately 2,558 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pearl City, Hawaii?
Pearl City's population is 9.8% White, 1.8% Black, 6.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 54.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pearl City, HI?
The median home value in Pearl City is $901,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.6x.
How educated is Pearl City, Hawaii?
39.0% of adults (25+) in Pearl City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.