Census-designated place · Hawaii
Kailua (Hawaii County), Hawaii
Kailua (Hawaii County), census-designated place, in Hawaii County, Hawaii. Kailua (Hawaii County) had 21,818 people in the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (±2,034). GEOID 1523000.
Residents, 2020-2024
21,818
±2,034 (90% margin)
2020 Census count: 19,713
Median household income
$88,211
±$5,715 (90% margin)
Hawaii: $100,389
Median home value
$667,400
±$43,323 (90% margin)
Hawaii: $839,100
Median gross rent
$1,754
±$93 (90% margin)
Hawaii: $1,971
Where is Kailua (Hawaii County) and what county is it in?
Kailua (Hawaii County) is a census-designated place: an unincorporated community the Census Bureau draws for counting, with no city government of its own, in Hawaii County, Hawaii. It covers 13.8 square miles of land, 1,429 residents per square mile in 2020.
Kailua (Hawaii County) is in the Hilo-Kailua, HI micropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Kailua (Hawaii County), and is it growing?
The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts Kailua (Hawaii County)'s population at 21,818 (±2,034). The 2020 Census counted 19,713 residents.
The Census Bureau publishes yearly population estimates for incorporated places only; Kailua (Hawaii County) is a census-designated place, so its figures come from the ACS and the 2020 Census.
| Measure | Kailua (Hawaii County) | Hawaii County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 21,818 ±2,034 | 205,769 | +6,587 |
| Households | 7,598 ±565 | 74,072 | +2,785 |
| Average household size | 2.83 ±0.20 | 2.74 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,923 ±537 | 90,735 | +4,075 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Kailua (Hawaii County)?
The median resident of Kailua (Hawaii County) is 41.6 years old; 20.3% are under 18 and 19.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 40.1%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 19.0%. 19.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Kailua (Hawaii County) | Hawaii County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.6 ±4.1 | 44.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.3% ±3.0 pts | 20.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.7% ±2.4 pts | 23.8% | – |
| Male | 49.6% ±2.0 pts | 49.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 8.3% ±2.3 pts | 11.7% | −5.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 40.1% ±4.8 pts | 29.9% | +10.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 19.0% ±4.5 pts | 20.2% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 13.9% ±3.3 pts | 11.7% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 18.4% ±3.6 pts | 24.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 19.6% ±3.4 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 27.8% ±5.0 pts | 22.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.3% ±1.2 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 11.4% ±2.0 pts | 16.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.4% ±1.7 pts | 4.5% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.1% ±2.4 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 33.6% ±3.6 pts | 31.4% | +7.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.7% ±2.4 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 83.4% ±3.4 pts | 89.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 6.0% ±2.2 pts | 3.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Kailua (Hawaii County) earn?
Half of Kailua (Hawaii County)'s 7,598 households earn less than $88,211 a year (±$5,715), against $78,639 in Hawaii County and $100,389 in Hawaii. In 2015-2019 it was $88,939 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 14.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Kailua (Hawaii County) | Hawaii County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $88,211 ±$5,715 | $78,639 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $127,600 ±$13,276 | $106,719 | – |
| Per capita income | $45,971 ±$5,079 | $39,739 | +$9,168 |
| People below the poverty line | 14.3% ±3.2 pts | 14.9% | +4.2 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.0% ±7.4 pts | 18.2% | +11.0 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.9% ±2.1 pts | 17.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.0% ±1.2 pts | 95.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.4% ±2.8 pts | 91.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Kailua (Hawaii County)?
Owners occupy 67.0% of Kailua (Hawaii County)'s occupied homes and renters 33.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $667,400 by its owner (±$43,323). The median renter pays $1,754 a month including utilities, and 27.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Kailua (Hawaii County) | Hawaii County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $667,400 ±$43,323 | $519,300 | +$98,943 |
| Median gross rent | $1,754 ±$93 | $1,510 | +$267 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 27.0% ±8.1 pts | 40.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,647 ±$107 | $2,157 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 67.0% ±4.3 pts | 74.0% | +13.1 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 33.0% ±4.3 pts | 26.0% | – |
| Housing units | 9,923 ±537 | 90,735 | +4,075 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.2% ±2.5 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 18.2% ±8.0 pts | 10.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 45.1% ±3.6 pts | 77.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5% ±0.4 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 6.2% ±1.7 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.8% ±0.9 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.7% ±1.4 pts | 4.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Kailua (Hawaii County) work and get to work?
62.1% of Kailua (Hawaii County)'s workers drive alone and 10.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.0%.
| Measure | Kailua (Hawaii County) | Hawaii County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.1% ±3.5 pts | 56.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% ±1.7 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 62.1% ±5.6 pts | 68.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 22.4% ±5.9 pts | 14.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.4% ±0.5 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 2.1% ±1.2 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.2% ±3.7 pts | 12.1% | +4.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.3 min ±1.8 | 27.4 min | +3.4 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Kailua (Hawaii County)?
5 census tracts lie mostly in Kailua (Hawaii County) (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $76,375 (Tract 216.05) to $118,804 (Tract 216.07).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 215.04Hawaii County | 6,700 | $77,210 |
| Tract 216.08Hawaii County | 4,743 | $90,161 |
| Tract 216.05Hawaii County | 4,168 | $76,375 |
| Tract 216.06Hawaii County | 4,281 | $93,750 |
| Tract 216.07Hawaii County | 4,348 | $118,804 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Kailua (Hawaii County)) · Census block assignment files
How does Kailua (Hawaii County) compare with other places in Hawaii?
Kailua (Hawaii County) ranks 85th of 125 places in Hawaii with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population (ACS 2020-2024) | 12th | 126 |
| Residents per square mile | 65th | 126 |
| Median household income | 85th | 125 |
| Per capita income | 41st | 126 |
| Median home value | 85th | 120 |
| Median gross rent | 79th | 119 |
| Poverty rate | 28th | 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 46th | 125 |
| Median age | 65th | 126 |
| Owner-occupied share | 76th | 119 |
| Work from home | 41st | 86 |
| Travel time to work | 104th | 126 |
Kailua (Hawaii County)'s figures with every place in Hawaii (CSV)
Every place in Hawaii, sortable · Compare Kailua (Hawaii County) with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Kailua (Hawaii County)?
8 of the 57 figures for Kailua (Hawaii County) on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Kailua (Hawaii County) are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.