Waipahu, Hawaii Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waipahu, Hawaii had a total population of 40,482, the 5th largest community in Hawaii, with a median household income of $103,895, which is 3% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Waipahu is the 5th largest city in Hawaii with a population of 40,482.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.4x the median household income.
Waipahu Quick Facts
How Waipahu 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 | 39,871 | 40,482 | +1.5% |
| Median household income | $98,633 | $103,895 | +5.3% |
| Median home value | $835,400 | $868,600 | +4.0% |
How Waipahu 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+)
Waipahu 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 |
| 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 |
| Makakilo | 20,735 | $118,550 | 9.2% | $867,200 |
Cities Similar to Waipahu
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pearl City | 44,547 | $118,112 | $901,500 | 39.0% | 5.8% |
| Kaneohe | 37,355 | $125,613 | $1,029,700 | 37.1% | 9.7% |
| Kailua (Honolulu County) | 39,640 | $148,582 | $1,353,700 | 55.5% | 4.0% |
| Hilo | 50,404 | $81,779 | $483,000 | 34.6% | 14.5% |
| Kahului | 28,288 | $98,077 | $862,600 | 24.6% | 8.7% |
Population Overview
Waipahu is a mid-sized community located in Hawaii, within Honolulu County. The total population is 40,482. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 163 Census-designated places in Hawaii.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waipahu is 40.2 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 40.9 years. 11.3% 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 Waipahu is $103,895. This is 3% higher than the state median of $100,389. It is also 29% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.0%. This is 19% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.1%. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $868,600. Housing costs are 4% higher than the state median of $839,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 59.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 63.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Waipahu is Asian, making up 69.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 20.9%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 1.8%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (69.6% vs 36.4%).
Education
20.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% 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 86.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waipahu, 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 Waipahu, Hawaii?
Waipahu, Hawaii has a population of 40,482 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waipahu, HI?
The median household income in Waipahu is $103,895, which is 29% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waipahu, HI?
The poverty rate in Waipahu is 12.0%. This means approximately 4,801 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waipahu, Hawaii?
Waipahu's population is 2.4% White, 0.7% Black, 5.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 69.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waipahu, HI?
The median home value in Waipahu is $868,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.4x.
How educated is Waipahu, Hawaii?
20.1% of adults (25+) in Waipahu hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.