County · Hawaii
Kauai County, Hawaii
Kauai County, Hawaii. Kauai County had 73,400 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.1% since 2020, while Hawaii shrank 1.5%. It holds 24 places (24 census-designated) and 21 census tracts. GEOID 15007.
Kauai County is the county of the Kapaa, HI micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
73,400
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 73,298 · ACS 2020-2024: 73,731
Median household income
$97,668
±$5,401 (90% margin)
Hawaii: $100,389
Median home value
$873,200
±$15,373 (90% margin)
Hawaii: $839,100
Median gross rent
$1,870
±$78 (90% margin)
Hawaii: $1,971
How many people live in Kauai County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 73,298 residents in Kauai County. The Census Bureau estimates 73,400 for July 1, 2025, up 0.1% since 2020, while Hawaii shrank 1.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 73,731 over 620 square miles of land.
| Measure | Kauai County | Hawaii | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 73,731 | 1,445,235 | +1,962 |
| Households | 23,632±543 | 492,453 | +974 |
| Average household size | 3.09±0.07 | 2.85 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 30,471±61 | 567,896 | −545 |
Kauai County's population since 2000
From 58,463 in 2000 to 73,400 in 2025: up 25.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Kauai County?
Kauai County holds 24 places: 24 census-designated places. The largest is Kapaa with 11,094 residents (2020-2024). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Kapaa | 11,652 | $89,477 |
|---|---|---|
| Lihue | 8,004 | $92,850 |
| Wailua Homesteads | 5,863 | $89,717 |
| Kalaheo | 4,996 | $110,607 |
| Hanamaulu | 4,994 | $82,358 |
| Kekaha | 3,715 | $84,375 |
| Puhi | 3,380 | $137,292 |
| Kilauea | 3,014 | $91,984 |
| Hanapepe | 2,678 | $100,000 |
| Lawai | 2,578 | $104,286 |
| Eleele | 2,515 | $118,438 |
| Wailua | 2,359 | $69,167 |
| Anahola | 2,243 | $100,688 |
| Koloa | 2,231 | $77,868 |
| Princeville | 2,157 | $102,109 |
| Waimea (Kauai County) | 2,057 | $89,205 |
| Omao | 1,346 | $101,667 |
| Poipu | 1,299 | $143,333 |
| KaumakaniGEOID 1530650 | 672 | $95,625 |
| Haena | 550 | $127,708 |
| Hanalei | 444 | $123,750 |
| Wainiha | 419 | $99,375 |
| KalihiwaiGEOID 1526750 | 361 | $127,813 |
| Pakala VillageGEOID 1560350 | 286 | $46,250 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Kauai County?
The median resident of Kauai County is 43.1 years old; 21.2% are under 18 and 22.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Asian residents at 30.0%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 28.7%. 14.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Kauai County | Hawaii | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.1±0.3 | 40.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.2%±0.2 pts | 20.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.4%±0.1 pts | 20.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.6% | 9.9% | −0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 28.7%±0.2 pts | 20.9% | −0.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.2 pts | 1.8% | +0.4 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 30.0%±1.5 pts | 36.4% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 9.5%±0.4 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 19.9%±1.7 pts | 21.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 14.4%±1.2 pts | 17.9% | −2.4 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 18.3%±1.6 pts | 24.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.4%±0.5 pts | 8.0% | – |
| With a disability | 10.7%±0.8 pts | 12.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.0%±0.6 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.1%±0.8 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 30.1%±1.7 pts | 36.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.4%±1.0 pts | 13.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.9%±0.6 pts | 4.0% | – |
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 Kauai County earn?
Half of Kauai County's 23,632 households earn less than $97,668 a year (±$5,401), against $100,389 in Hawaii. In 2015-2019 it was $102,829 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 9.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Kauai County | Hawaii | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $97,668±$5,401 | $100,389 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $126,466±$5,943 | $131,053 | – |
| Per capita income | $43,836±$1,840 | $46,005 | +$3,047 |
| People below the poverty line | 9.1%±1.2 pts | 10.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 11.5%±3.4 pts | 12.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.3%±1.4 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.3%±1.1 pts | 92.0% | – |
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 Kauai County?
Owners occupy 68.6% of Kauai County's occupied homes and renters 31.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $873,200 by its owner (±$15,373). The median renter pays $1,870 a month including utilities, and 41.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Kauai County | Hawaii | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $873,200±$15,373 | $839,100 | +$170,843 |
| Median gross rent | $1,870±$78 | $1,971 | +$178 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.9%±4.6 pts | 46.2% | +5.9 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,772±$90 | $2,904 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 68.6%±1.9 pts | 63.0% | +5.4 pts |
| Housing units | 30,471±61 | 567,896 | −545 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.0%±1.1 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.3%±1.5 pts | 53.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.0%±0.4 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.0%±0.7 pts | 3.2% | – |
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 many new homes is Kauai County building?
Builders took permits for 130 new housing units across Kauai County in 2025 (130 single-family), 1.8 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Kauai County get to work?
72.0% of Kauai County's workers drive alone and 8.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.8%.
| Measure | Kauai County | Hawaii | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.3%±1.3 pts | 63.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8%±0.7 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 72.0%±2.3 pts | 65.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 14.4%±1.7 pts | 13.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.4%±0.6 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Walked | 2.5%±0.5 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.6%±1.3 pts | 9.6% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.4 min±0.7 | 26.2 min | no clear change |
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 are Kauai County's census tracts?
Kauai County is divided into 21 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $73,879 (Tract 405) to $132,448 (Tract 401.04).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Kauai County compare with Hawaii's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 4th of 5 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 3rd of 5 |
| Residents per square mile | 3rd of 5 |
| Median household income | 2nd of 5 |
| Median home value | 3rd of 4 |
| Median gross rent | 3rd of 5 |
| Poverty rate | 4th of 4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 4th of 5 |
| Median age | 3rd of 5 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Kauai 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.