Waianae, Hawaii Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waianae, Hawaii had a total population of 12,918, the 25th largest community in Hawaii, with a median household income of $81,733, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.2%.
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: 73/100).
- Unemployment rate of 8.8% is notably above the national average.
Waianae Quick Facts
How Waianae 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 | 12,907 | 12,918 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $84,766 | $81,733 | -3.6% |
| Median home value | $487,200 | $518,300 | +6.4% |
How Waianae 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+)
Waianae 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 Waianae
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waimalu | 13,061 | $89,232 | $597,800 | 36.3% | 6.8% |
| Hawaiian Paradise Park | 13,203 | $88,348 | $457,100 | 25.8% | 10.4% |
| Nanakuli | 12,383 | $86,597 | $488,600 | 10.8% | 18.2% |
| Kapaa | 11,094 | $89,477 | $861,300 | 29.7% | 7.5% |
| Schofield Barracks | 16,270 | $80,388 | N/A | 31.9% | 2.6% |
Population Overview
Waianae is a small city located in Hawaii, within Honolulu County. The total population is 12,918. It ranks as the 25th most populous out of 163 Census-designated places in Hawaii.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waianae is 37.7 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waianae is $81,733. This is 19% lower than the state median of $100,389. It is also 1% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.2%. This is 61% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.8%. This is 79% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $518,300. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $839,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 66.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 63.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Waianae is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Asian residents account for 8.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (7.6%) is well below the state average of 20.9%. The Asian population (8.6%) is well below the state average of 36.4%.
Education
13.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 64% 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 90.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waianae, 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 Waianae, Hawaii?
Waianae, Hawaii has a population of 12,918 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waianae, HI?
The median household income in Waianae is $81,733, which is 1% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waianae, HI?
The poverty rate in Waianae is 16.2%. This means approximately 2,090 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waianae, Hawaii?
Waianae's population is 7.6% White, 1.0% Black, 14.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waianae, HI?
The median home value in Waianae is $518,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.3x.
How educated is Waianae, Hawaii?
13.2% of adults (25+) in Waianae hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.