Census Bureau Releases 5-Year Data for Hawai‘i

The U.S. Census Bureau released its 2012-16 American Community Survey five-year estimates on Dec. 7, 2017.

During the 2012-16 period, the Census Bureau surveyed a total of 48,457 households—an average of 9,691 households per year. Over 9% of Hawaii’s population were surveyed between this 2012 to 2016 period.

The 2012-16 ACS dataset includes new and modified tables on language spoken at home and household language for limited English speakers.

Over 45 different social, demographic, economic and housing topics are summarized in the ACS, and average figures for the five-year time period may be obtained for the state level and down to smaller
areas such as the census tract level.

Comparative data for smaller geographic areas such as census-designated places and census tracts are again available.

Tables include comparative data for the 2007-11 period and the 2012-16 period. They include information about whether any of the differences were statistical significance. Caution must be taken when studying an area, however, as area boundaries may have changed between the two time periods being studied.

The following analyses were based upon the ranking of the 316 census tracts in Hawai‘i that had a population. The numbers are averages over the 2012-16 time period.

Average Household Size

Pa‘auhau-Pa‘auilo had the largest average household size on the Island of Hawai‘i at 3.94.

Lahainaluna on Maui had the largest average household size on the island of Maui at 4.25.

Puhi-Hanama’ulu had the largest average household size on Kaua‘i at 4.05.

Nine areas in Hawai‘i had an average household size of five or more people. They were located in West O‘ahu and the urban Honolulu area. All 20 of the top areas were in Honolulu County.

Median Household Income

On the Island of Hawai‘i, the highest median household income was $74,138 in Kawaihae-Waikoloa.

Two areas in the state had a median household income over $150,000—Waiawa and Waialae Iki on O‘ahu.

Five areas had a median household income between $126,000 and $149,000. They are located in East O‘ahu, the urban Honolulu area, the Windward side of O‘ahu and West O‘ahu.

All 20 of the top areas were in Honolulu County.

On the island of Maui, the highest median household income was $92,500 in Waihe‘e-Waikapū.

On Kaua‘i, the highest median household income was $81,241 in Eleele-Kalaheo.

Civilian Unemployment Rate

On Hawai‘i Island, Pāhoa had a civilian unemployment rate between 18% and 20%.

Two areas had a civilian unemployment rate over 20%—one was in the urban Honolulu area and the other was in the Schofield Barracks area on O‘ahu.

Six other areas had a civilian unemployment rate between 18% and 20%.

The other areas were located in the urban Honolulu area, the Schofield Barracks area and leeward side of O‘ahu, and in West Central Wailuku on Maui.

The highest civilian unemployment rate on Kaua‘i was in Anahola at 8.3%.

Owner-Occupied Housing Units

On Hawai‘i Island, Hilo (Kawailani) had the highest rate of owner-occupied housing units at 82.9%.

Statewide, two areas had at least 95% of housing units occupied by owners rather than by renters.

All 20 of the top areas were in Honolulu County.

Waihee-Waikapu had the highest rate of owner-occupied units at 82.5% on the island of Maui.

Anahola had the highest rate at 80.3% on Kaua‘i.

Median Owner-Occupied Housing Unit Values

Hualalai had the highest median housing value on the island of Hawai‘i at $678,800.

Eleven other areas had median values between $1 and $1.9 million. They were located in the East Oahu area, the urban Honolulu area, the Windward side of O‘ahu and the island of Maui.

Ha‘ena-Hanalei had the highest median housing value on Kaua‘i at $863,200.

Diamond Head on O‘ahu was the only area in Hawai‘i which had a median housing value of $2 million or more.

Read the entire press release online.

The highlights, along with small area profile data for Hawai‘i, may be found on the Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Develepment & Tourism website.