Wailua, Hawaii Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wailua, Hawaii had a total population of 2,697, the 87th largest community in Hawaii, with a median household income of $69,167, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 11.4x the median household income.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Hawaii (diversity index: 75/100).
- Unemployment rate of 10.4% is notably above the national average.
Wailua Quick Facts
How Wailua 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 | 2,544 | 2,697 | +6.0% |
| Median household income | $68,548 | $69,167 | +0.9% |
| Median home value | $697,300 | $790,800 | +13.4% |
How Wailua 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+)
Wailua Rankings in Hawaii
Explore Hawaii Rankings
Other Cities in Kauai County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kapaa | 11,094 | $89,477 | 7.5% | $861,300 |
| Lihue | 7,901 | $92,850 | 6.3% | $878,500 |
| Wailua Homesteads | 5,431 | $89,717 | 9.9% | $943,400 |
| Hanamaulu | 4,972 | $82,358 | 6.2% | $687,500 |
| Kalaheo | 4,435 | $110,607 | 11.4% | $956,900 |
| Puhi | 4,362 | $137,292 | 8.6% | $701,400 |
| Kekaha | 3,768 | $84,375 | 18.9% | $682,900 |
| Kilauea | 3,146 | $91,984 | 18.5% | $1,087,400 |
| Anahola | 3,067 | $100,688 | 10.3% | $530,100 |
| Koloa | 2,907 | $77,868 | 7.1% | $927,300 |
Cities Similar to Wailua
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helemano | 2,691 | $83,197 | N/A | 23.5% | 12.4% |
| Kualapuu | 2,535 | $62,917 | $318,400 | 20.6% | 19.8% |
| Koloa | 2,907 | $77,868 | $927,300 | 22.9% | 7.1% |
| Orchidlands Estates | 3,027 | $73,936 | $385,900 | 27.2% | 13.9% |
| Kahuku | 2,375 | $75,066 | $910,000 | 33.5% | 8.0% |
Population Overview
Wailua is a small community located in Hawaii, within Kauai County. The total population is 2,697. It ranks as the 87th most populous out of 163 Census-designated places in Hawaii.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wailua is 44.8 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wailua is $69,167. This is 31% lower than the state median of $100,389. It is also 14% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.8%. This is 27% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 10.4%. This is 112% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $790,800. Housing costs are 6% lower than the state median of $839,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 11.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 55.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 63.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wailua is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 24.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (35.3% vs 20.9%). The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 1.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (24.6% vs 9.9%).
Education
27.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 23% 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 91.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wailua, 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.
Free data download: Get all Hawaii city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Wailua, Hawaii?
Wailua, Hawaii has a population of 2,697 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wailua, HI?
The median household income in Wailua is $69,167, which is 14% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wailua, HI?
The poverty rate in Wailua is 12.8%. This means approximately 345 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wailua, Hawaii?
Wailua's population is 35.3% White, 0.7% Black, 24.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 18.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wailua, HI?
The median home value in Wailua is $790,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 11.4x.
How educated is Wailua, Hawaii?
27.7% of adults (25+) in Wailua hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.