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CITY

Hilo

Hawaii · 50,404 residents · 53.606 sq mi
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The short version

Hilo has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $81,779. Population has grown 24% since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $483,000.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.7
US median: 38.9
Average education
35% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 73%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
50,404
+24%since 2000
from 40,759 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
940 / sq mi
+24%since 2000
from 760 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
42.7
+11%since 2000
from 38.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Population, 1990 – 2024
36K40K44K48K52K1990201020202024Hilo
202450K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$81,779
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $39,139 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$41,708
+129%since 2000
from $18,220 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
52.9%
+18.8 ptssince 2009
from 34.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
14.5%
−2.6 ptssince 2000
from 17.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.494
+6%since 2010
from 0.464 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information10.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade7.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services5.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing3.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration3.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Retail trade1.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$483,000
+73%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $152,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,427
+45%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $542 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
66.1%
+5.2 ptssince 2000
from 60.9% in 2000
33.9% rent
Vacancy rate
7.9%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 6.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
20.5%
−4.3 ptssince 2009
from 24.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
46.7%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 44.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.9
+51%since 2000
from 3.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
48
RELATED:See current rent listings in Hilo on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic15.9%(6,491)
Black0.4%(162)
Hispanic / Latino8.8%(3,579)
Asian37.4%(15,259)
Other0%
Diversity Score69.6%(28,383)
2024
White, non-Hispanic14.3%(7,214)
Black0.7%(376)
Hispanic / Latino11%(5,530)
Asian34.2%(17,232)
Other39.8%(20,052)
Diversity Score86.5%(43,617)
Diversity Score
87
+24%since 2000
from 70 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
34.6%
+10.4 ptssince 2000
from 24.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.2%
+8.4 ptssince 2000
from 85.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
12.9%
+4.7 ptssince 2000
from 8.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.3 min
+66%since 2000
from 12.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
71.8%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 69.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.5%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 17.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.9%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.9%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 5.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.3%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.7%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
8.9%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 9.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.9%
−2.4 ptssince 2011
from 9.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
59.4%
−1.3 ptssince 2011
from 60.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
24.9%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 23.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
40.6%
−23.3 ptssince 2009
from 63.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.7%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Female
52.3%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Foreign born
11.0%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.8%
−40.8 ptssince 2009
from 47.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.4%
+1.1 ptssince 2012
from 14.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.9%
−90.0 ptssince 2013
from 92.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.4%
+18.6 ptssince 2017
from 72.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
77.3%
−6.3 ptssince 2016
from 83.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2016
from 0.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Hilo

Clermont
Pop 52,812
Tamiami
Pop 49,752
Newnan
Pop 45,867
Country Club
Pop 51,296
Places similar to Hilo
Head to head

Compare Hilo to nearby cities

HILO VS
Hawaiian Paradise Park
Income$88,348+8%
Home value$457,100−5%
Population13,203−74%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HILO VS
Waimea CDP (Hawaii County)
Income$100,198+23%
Home value$677,400+40%
Population9,286−82%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HILO VS
Kailua CDP (Hawaii County)
Income$88,211+8%
Home value$667,400+38%
Population21,818−57%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HILO VS
Kaiminani
Income$110,560+35%
Home value$772,800+60%
Population11,465−77%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Hilo, Hawaii?

Hilo, Hawaii has about 50,404 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Hilo, Hawaii?

The typical household in Hilo, Hawaii earns about $81,779 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Hilo, Hawaii expensive?

In Hilo, Hawaii, the median home is worth about $483,000, and the typical rent is about $1,427 a month.

How educated are people in Hilo, Hawaii?

About 34.6% of adults age 25 and over in Hilo, Hawaii hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Hilo, Hawaii?

About 14.5% of people in Hilo, Hawaii live below the federal poverty line.

Has Hilo, Hawaii grown since 1990?

Yes, Hilo, Hawaii has grown since 1990. The population has added about 12,676 residents, a change of about 34 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →

Hilo, Hawaii: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy