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Urban Honolulu, Hawaii Demographics & Population 2026

Largest CityThe most populous city in Hawaii
Expensive MarketHome value to income ratio of 9.7x indicates a costly housing market

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Urban Honolulu, Hawaii had a total population of 345,482, the 1st largest community in Hawaii, with a median household income of $86,504, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.9%.

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

Key Takeaways

Urban Honolulu Quick Facts

Population 345,482
Median Household Income $86,504
Median Home Value $843,400
Poverty Rate 11.9%
Unemployment Rate 4.8%
Median Age 43.0 years
Homeownership Rate 48.9%
Affordability Ratio 9.7x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 41.5%
High School Graduation Rate 91.2%
Diversity Index 67/100
Population 345,482 1st of 163
Median Income $86,504 below average
Poverty Rate 11.9% 4% lower than national
Median Home Value $843,400 average

How Urban Honolulu 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
Population346,323345,482-0.2%
Median household income$85,428$86,504+1.3%
Median home value$834,100$843,400+1.1%

How Urban Honolulu Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 14.0%
$25K-$50K 13.7%
$50K-$100K 28.4%
$100K+ 43.9%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
5.5%
$10K-$15K
3.2%
$15K-$20K
2.1%
$20K-$25K
3.2%
$25K-$30K
2.3%
$30K-$35K
2.4%
$35K-$40K
2.7%
$40K-$45K
3.0%
$45K-$50K
3.3%
$50K-$60K
7.2%
$60K-$75K
8.7%
$75K-$100K
12.5%
$100K-$125K
9.9%
$125K-$150K
7.4%
$150K-$200K
10.5%
$200K+
16.1%

Employment

4.8% Unemployment Rate State: 4.9%|National: 5.2%
64.8% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 48.9%
Renter 51.1%
Affordability Index Very Expensive
9.7x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,823/mo 25.3% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

67out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 76 | National average: 61

Education

Urban Honolulu Rankings in Hawaii

#1 Population of 163
#106 Median Income of 159
#41 Education of 163
#72 Home Value of 153

Other Cities in Honolulu County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
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
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 Urban Honolulu

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

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Hilo50,404$81,779$483,00034.6%14.5%
Pearl City44,547$118,112$901,50039.0%5.8%
East Honolulu51,360$159,518$1,212,00059.9%5.3%
Waipahu40,482$103,895$868,60020.1%12.0%
Kaneohe37,355$125,613$1,029,70037.1%9.7%

Population Overview

Urban Honolulu is a major urban center located in Hawaii, within Honolulu County. The total population is 345,482. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 163 Census-designated places in Hawaii.

Age Demographics

The median age in Urban Honolulu is 43.0 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 40.9 years. 10.5% 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 Urban Honolulu is $86,504. This is 14% lower than the state median of $100,389. It is also 7% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.9%. This is 19% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.8%. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $843,400. Housing costs are about the same as the state median of $839,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 48.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 63.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Urban Honolulu is Asian, making up 51.8% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 16.1%.

Education

41.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 15% 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 91.2%. Notably, 15.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Urban Honolulu, 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 Urban Honolulu, Hawaii?

Urban Honolulu, Hawaii has a population of 345,482 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Urban Honolulu, HI?

The median household income in Urban Honolulu is $86,504, which is 7% higher than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Urban Honolulu, HI?

The poverty rate in Urban Honolulu is 11.9%. This means approximately 40,097 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Urban Honolulu, Hawaii?

Urban Honolulu's population is 16.1% White, 1.5% Black, 6.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 51.8% Asian.

What is the median home value in Urban Honolulu, HI?

The median home value in Urban Honolulu is $843,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.7x.

How educated is Urban Honolulu, Hawaii?

41.5% of adults (25+) in Urban Honolulu hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.