Wailea, Hawaii Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wailea, Hawaii had a total population of 6,352, the 49th largest community in Hawaii, with a median household income of $90,000, which is 10% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.0%.
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 17.1x the median household income.
Wailea Quick Facts
How Wailea 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 | 6,571 | 6,352 | -3.3% |
| Median household income | $89,375 | $90,000 | +0.7% |
| Median home value | $1,363,700 | $1,534,800 | +12.5% |
How Wailea 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 76 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wailea Rankings in Hawaii
Explore Hawaii Rankings
Other Cities in Maui County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului | 28,288 | $98,077 | 8.7% | $862,600 |
| Kihei | 21,567 | $87,772 | 7.4% | $919,900 |
| Wailuku | 16,926 | $102,942 | 4.6% | $855,700 |
| Waihee-Waiehu | 10,988 | $126,735 | 6.0% | $777,000 |
| Lahaina | 10,162 | $88,889 | 11.5% | $881,700 |
| Haiku-Pauwela | 9,178 | $101,396 | 8.3% | $1,093,800 |
| Pukalani | 8,679 | $102,976 | 10.6% | $973,700 |
| Makawao | 7,353 | $96,444 | 10.2% | $888,000 |
| Napili-Honokowai | 7,308 | $105,565 | 8.1% | $878,900 |
| Kula | 6,791 | $100,433 | 12.3% | $1,127,700 |
Cities Similar to Wailea
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kula | 6,791 | $100,433 | $1,127,700 | 40.8% | 12.3% |
| Wailua Homesteads | 5,431 | $89,717 | $943,400 | 37.2% | 9.9% |
| Ewa Villages | 7,415 | $88,813 | $867,600 | 19.1% | 15.3% |
| Waimanalo | 6,054 | $116,581 | $799,200 | 17.7% | 14.9% |
| Makawao | 7,353 | $96,444 | $888,000 | 28.3% | 10.2% |
Population Overview
Wailea is a small city located in Hawaii, within Maui County. The total population is 6,352. It ranks as the 49th most populous out of 163 Census-designated places in Hawaii.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wailea is 58.1 years. This is 42% higher than the state median of 40.9 years. Only 10.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 15.0% 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 Wailea is $90,000. This is 10% lower than the state median of $100,389. It is also 11% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.0%. This is 39% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 23% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $1,534,800. Housing costs are 83% higher than the state median of $839,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 17.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 69.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 63.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wailea is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.3% of the population. Asian residents account for 10.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (67.3% vs 20.9%). The Asian population (10.0%) is well below the state average of 36.4%.
Education
49.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% 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 96.8%. Notably, 21.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wailea, 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 Wailea, Hawaii?
Wailea, Hawaii has a population of 6,352 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wailea, HI?
The median household income in Wailea is $90,000, which is 11% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wailea, HI?
The poverty rate in Wailea is 14.0%. This means approximately 885 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wailea, Hawaii?
Wailea's population is 67.3% White, 1.0% Black, 9.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 10.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wailea, HI?
The median home value in Wailea is $1,534,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 17.1x.
How educated is Wailea, Hawaii?
49.7% of adults (25+) in Wailea hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 21.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.