Waikele, Hawaii Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waikele, Hawaii had a total population of 7,528, the 44th largest community in Hawaii, with a median household income of $120,525, which is 20% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.7% — among the lowest in Hawaii.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.3%.
Waikele Quick Facts
How Waikele 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 | 7,950 | 7,528 | -5.3% |
| Median household income | $111,971 | $120,525 | +7.6% |
| Median home value | $696,400 | $704,700 | +1.2% |
How Waikele 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+)
Waikele 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 Waikele
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Kapolei | 7,551 | $118,904 | $697,300 | 28.3% | 5.3% |
| Napili-Honokowai | 7,308 | $105,565 | $878,900 | 26.9% | 8.1% |
| Makawao | 7,353 | $96,444 | $888,000 | 28.3% | 10.2% |
| Ewa Villages | 7,415 | $88,813 | $867,600 | 19.1% | 15.3% |
| Ahuimanu | 8,452 | $135,438 | $910,600 | 50.0% | 6.4% |
Population Overview
Waikele is a small city located in Hawaii, within Honolulu County. The total population is 7,528. It ranks as the 44th most populous out of 163 Census-designated places in Hawaii.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waikele is 44.4 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 40.9 years. Only 14.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waikele is $120,525. This is 20% higher than the state median of $100,389. It is also 49% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.7%. This is 63% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 1.3%. This is 74% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $704,700. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $839,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x. 71.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 63.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Waikele is Asian, making up 60.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 8.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (8.0%) is well below the state average of 20.9%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (60.6% vs 36.4%).
Education
39.2% 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 97.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waikele, 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 Waikele, Hawaii?
Waikele, Hawaii has a population of 7,528 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waikele, HI?
The median household income in Waikele is $120,525, which is 49% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waikele, HI?
The poverty rate in Waikele is 3.7%. This means approximately 276 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waikele, Hawaii?
Waikele's population is 8.0% White, 2.0% Black, 5.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 60.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waikele, HI?
The median home value in Waikele is $704,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x.
How educated is Waikele, Hawaii?
39.2% of adults (25+) in Waikele hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.