Puako CDP, Hawaii Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Puako CDP is a small community located in Hawaii. The total population is 302. It ranks as the 149th most populous out of 163 cities and towns in Hawaii.

Age Demographics

The median age in Puako CDP is 63.1 years. This is 55% higher than the state median of 40.6 years. Only 8.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 12.6% 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 Puako CDP is $116,250. This is 18% higher than the state median of $98,317. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 48% higher. The poverty rate stands at 8.9%. This is 10% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 17.8%. This is 253% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $1,781,300. Housing costs are 120% higher than the state median of $808,200. The home-value-to-income ratio of 15.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 73.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 62.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Puako CDP is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.2% of the population. Asian residents account for 13.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (68.2% vs 21.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (4.0%) is well below the state average of 9.8%. The Asian population (13.3%) is well below the state average of 36.7%.

Education

60.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Puako CDP in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 71% higher than the state rate of 35.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 98.4%. Notably, 22.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Puako CDP, Hawaii is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.