CensusEasy
CITY

Fern Forest

Hawaii · 1,088 residents · 12.473 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Part of the Hilo micropolitan area
Compare
The short version

Fern Forest has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $42,917. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 608 residents. 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $170,900. With a median age of 51.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 57% less than the Hawaii median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 51.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 27%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,088
+127%since 2000
from 480 in 2000
2000 – 2024
Population density
87 / sq mi
+127%since 2000
from 38 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
51.4
+24%since 2000
from 41.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Population, 2000 – 2024
4136148151K1K2000201020202024Fern Forest
20241K
2000201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,917
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $24,519 in 2000
US average: $82,259
2000 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,229
+115%since 2000
from $14,958 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
31.6%
+16.0 ptssince 2009
from 15.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
30.6%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 25.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.544
+17%since 2010
from 0.465 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade14.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Information11%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services4.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing3.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Retail trade0%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$170,900
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $73,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
2000 – 2024
Owner-occupied
89.5%
+12.5 ptssince 2000
from 77.0% in 2000
10.5% rent
Vacancy rate
7.9%
−18.1 ptssince 2009
from 26.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
16.4%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
17.5%
−10.6 ptssince 2009
from 28.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.0
+33%since 2000
from 3.0 in 2000
2000 – 2024
Gentrification Score
27
RELATED:See current rent listings in Fern Forest on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic51.7%(248)
Black0.2%(1)
Hispanic / Latino10%(48)
Asian6.9%(33)
Other0%
Diversity Score50.5%(242)
2024
White, non-Hispanic45.7%(497)
Black3%(33)
Hispanic / Latino19.2%(209)
Asian4.2%(46)
Other27.8%(303)
Diversity Score84.3%(917)
Diversity Score
84
+67%since 2000
from 51 in 2000
2000 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.3%
−6.9 ptssince 2000
from 25.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.4%
+5.2 ptssince 2000
from 87.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.2%
−9.4 ptssince 2000
from 13.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
49.1 min
+42%since 2000
from 34.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
70.5%
+29.5 ptssince 2009
from 41.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
0.0%
−29.1 ptssince 2009
from 29.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
17.2%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 22.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
12.3%
+12.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.6%
+5.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.6%
−7.4 ptssince 2011
from 11.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
34.1%
−24.5 ptssince 2011
from 58.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
24.8%
+21.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
51.7%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
42.9%
−10.3 ptssince 2009
from 53.2% in 2009
Female
57.1%
+10.3 ptssince 2009
from 46.8% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−4.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.6%
−47.7 ptssince 2009
from 55.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
27.0%
+9.4 ptssince 2012
from 17.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
14.9%
−62.5 ptssince 2013
from 77.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
78.5%
+47.8 ptssince 2017
from 30.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
92.4%
+2.0 ptssince 2016
from 90.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.1%
−3.6 ptssince 2016
from 4.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Fern Forest

DeLand Southwest
Pop 1,024
Palmona Park
Pop 1,115
Buckhead Ridge
Pop 986
Medley
Pop 1,075
Places similar to Fern Forest
Head to head

Compare Fern Forest to nearby cities

FERN FOREST VS
Hawaiian Paradise Park
Income$88,348+106%
Home value$457,100+167%
Population13,203+1114%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FERN FOREST VS
Hilo
Income$81,779+91%
Home value$483,000+183%
Population50,404+4533%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FERN FOREST VS
Waimea CDP (Hawaii County)
Income$100,198+133%
Home value$677,400+296%
Population9,286+753%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FERN FOREST VS
Kailua CDP (Hawaii County)
Income$88,211+106%
Home value$667,400+291%
Population21,818+1905%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Fern Forest, Hawaii?

Fern Forest, Hawaii has about 1,088 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Fern Forest, Hawaii?

The typical household in Fern Forest, Hawaii earns about $42,917 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Fern Forest, Hawaii expensive?

In Fern Forest, Hawaii, the median home is worth about $170,900.

How educated are people in Fern Forest, Hawaii?

About 18.3% of adults age 25 and over in Fern Forest, Hawaii hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Fern Forest, Hawaii?

About 30.6% of people in Fern Forest, Hawaii live below the federal poverty line.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
Hawaii
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare Fern Forest with another place

DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →