Wainaku, Hawaii Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wainaku, Hawaii had a total population of 967, the 126th largest community in Hawaii, with a median household income of $69,205, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.3%.
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 7.7x the median household income.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Hawaii (diversity index: 70/100).
Wainaku Quick Facts
How Wainaku 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 | 1,082 | 967 | -10.6% |
| Median household income | $72,188 | $69,205 | -4.1% |
| Median home value | $532,400 | $536,100 | +0.7% |
How Wainaku 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+)
Wainaku Rankings in Hawaii
Explore Hawaii Rankings
Other Cities in Hawaii County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hilo | 50,404 | $81,779 | 14.5% | $483,000 |
| Kailua (Hawaii County) | 21,818 | $88,211 | 14.3% | $667,400 |
| Hawaiian Paradise Park | 13,203 | $88,348 | 10.4% | $457,100 |
| Kaiminani | 11,465 | $110,560 | 9.8% | $772,800 |
| Waimea (Hawaii County) | 9,286 | $100,198 | 12.3% | $677,400 |
| Waikoloa Village | 7,543 | $81,703 | 12.3% | $802,600 |
| Kahaluu-Keauhou | 5,150 | $96,212 | 8.6% | $886,900 |
| Hawaiian Ocean View | 4,431 | $45,043 | 25.4% | $318,200 |
| Ainaloa | 4,094 | $58,918 | 26.7% | $228,300 |
| Hawaiian Beaches | 3,947 | $29,295 | 40.4% | $272,700 |
Cities Similar to Wainaku
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halaula | 1,033 | N/A | $573,700 | 20.5% | 14.7% |
| Laupahoehoe | 916 | $63,977 | $578,300 | 24.2% | 21.9% |
| Naalehu | 872 | $67,679 | $234,100 | 13.2% | 12.8% |
| Punaluu | 950 | $86,953 | $888,200 | 30.4% | 17.1% |
| Honalo | 1,071 | $63,125 | $590,300 | 17.4% | 14.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 967, Wainaku's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Wainaku is a small community located in Hawaii, within Hawaii County. The total population is 967. It ranks as the 126th most populous out of 163 Census-designated places in Hawaii.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wainaku is 44.7 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wainaku is $69,205. 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 10.3%. This is 3% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.7%. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $536,100. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $839,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 74.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 63.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wainaku is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 26.3%.
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 91.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wainaku, 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 Wainaku, Hawaii?
Wainaku, Hawaii has a population of 967 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wainaku, HI?
The median household income in Wainaku is $69,205, which is 14% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wainaku, HI?
The poverty rate in Wainaku is 10.3%. This means approximately 100 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wainaku, Hawaii?
Wainaku's population is 26.3% White, 1.2% Black, 5.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 37.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wainaku, HI?
The median home value in Wainaku is $536,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.7x.
How educated is Wainaku, Hawaii?
27.7% of adults (25+) in Wainaku hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.