Wahiawa, Hawaii Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wahiawa, Hawaii had a total population of 17,996, the 16th largest community in Hawaii, with a median household income of $87,143, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 9.3x the median household income.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Hawaii (diversity index: 75/100).
Wahiawa Quick Facts
How Wahiawa 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 | 17,515 | 17,996 | +2.7% |
| Median household income | $86,883 | $87,143 | +0.3% |
| Median home value | $716,800 | $806,200 | +12.5% |
How Wahiawa 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+)
Wahiawa 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 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to Wahiawa
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schofield Barracks | 16,270 | $80,388 | N/A | 31.9% | 2.6% |
| Wailuku | 16,926 | $102,942 | $855,700 | 36.1% | 4.6% |
| Kihei | 21,567 | $87,772 | $919,900 | 31.4% | 7.4% |
| Kailua (Hawaii County) | 21,818 | $88,211 | $667,400 | 33.6% | 14.3% |
| Makakilo | 20,735 | $118,550 | $867,200 | 36.4% | 9.2% |
Population Overview
Wahiawa is a small city located in Hawaii, within Honolulu County. The total population is 17,996. It ranks as the 16th most populous out of 163 Census-designated places in Hawaii.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wahiawa is 38.8 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wahiawa is $87,143. This is 13% lower than the state median of $100,389. It is also 8% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.3%. This is 62% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 23% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $806,200. Housing costs are 4% lower than the state median of $839,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 53.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 63.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wahiawa is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (10.3%) is well below the state average of 20.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (2.9% vs 1.8%).
Education
22.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 Wahiawa, 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 Wahiawa, Hawaii?
Wahiawa, Hawaii has a population of 17,996 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wahiawa, HI?
The median household income in Wahiawa is $87,143, which is 8% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wahiawa, HI?
The poverty rate in Wahiawa is 16.3%. This means approximately 2,908 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wahiawa, Hawaii?
Wahiawa's population is 10.3% White, 2.9% Black, 13.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 40.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wahiawa, HI?
The median home value in Wahiawa is $806,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.3x.
How educated is Wahiawa, Hawaii?
22.1% of adults (25+) in Wahiawa hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.