Hilo, HI

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2021 Population

200,468

0.438% 1-year decline

US Senator

Brian Schatz

Democratic Party

US Senator

Mazie Hirono

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

0.467% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

13.8%

1.32% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$68,399

4.58% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$385,900

5.99% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

89,319

0.48% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Hilo, HI had a population of 200k people with a median age of 43 and a median household income of $68,399. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Hilo, HI declined from 201,350 to 200,468, a −0.438% decrease and its median household income grew from $65,401 to $68,399, a 4.58% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Hilo, HI are White (Non-Hispanic) (29.8%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (22.9%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (21.4%), Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander (Non-Hispanic) (11.3%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (6.91%).

None of the households in Hilo, HI reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

93.1% of the residents in Hilo, HI are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Hilo, HI are University of Hawaii at Hilo (775 degrees awarded in 2021), Hawaii Community College (530 degrees), and Mauna Loa Helicopters (13 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Hilo, HI was $385,900, and the homeownership rate was 69.8%.

Most people in Hilo, HI drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 27.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Hilo, HI was 2 cars per household.

Hilo, HI borders .

United States Hawaii

Population & Diversity

Hilo, HI is home to a population of 200k people, from which 93.1% are citizens. As of 2021, 13% of Hilo, HI residents were born outside of the country (26.1k people).

In 2021, there were 1.3 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (59.7k people) in Hilo, HI than any other race or ethnicity. There were 45.9k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) and 43k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

93.1%

2021 Citizenship

93.1%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 93.1% of Hilo, HI residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Hilo, HI was 93.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Hilo, HI compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Hilo, HI

White (Non-Hispanic)
59.7k ± 320
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
45.9k ± 1.97k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
43k ± 1.65k

13.5%

Hispanic Population

27k people

13.5% of the people in Hilo, HI are hispanic (27k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Hilo, HI as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Hawaii.

Most Common Origin

Philippines
116,814 ± 8,047 people
Japan
23,136 ± 3,705 people
China
20,905 ± 3,524 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Hawaii was Philippines, the natal country of 116,814 Hawaii residents, followed by Japan with 23,136 and China with 20,905.

Foreign-Born Population

13%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

26.1k people

13.3%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

26.8k people

As of 2021, 13% of Hilo, HI residents (26.1k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Hilo, HI was 13.3%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Hilo, HI compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
6,192 ± 474
Gulf War (2001-)
1,750 ± 306
Gulf War (1990s)
1,735 ± 356

Hilo, HI has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.54 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Hilo, HI employs 89.3k people. The largest industries in Hilo, HI are Accommodation & Food Services (11,310 people), Retail Trade (10,881 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (10,405 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($190,938), Utilities ($85,164), and Public Administration ($55,656).

Males in Hawaii have an average income that is 1.21 times higher than the average income of females, which is $57,765. The income inequality in Hawaii (measured using the Gini index) is 0.431, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

89.3k

2021 Value

± 2,493

−0.48%

1 Year decline

± 3.89%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Hilo, HI declined at a rate of −0.48%, from 89.8k employees to 89.3k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Hilo, HI, are Management Occupations (9,910 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (9,478 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (8,796 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Hilo, HI.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Hawaii (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

89.3k

2021 Value

± 2,493

−0.48%

1 Year decline

± 3.89%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Hilo, HI declined at a rate of −0.48%, from 89.8k employees to 89.3k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Hilo, HI, are Accommodation & Food Services (11,310 people), Retail Trade (10,881 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (10,405 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Hilo, HI, though some of these residents may live in Hilo, HI and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$40,793

Median earning men ± $1,281

$34,190

Median earning women ± $1,417

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($62,688), Construction ($48,266), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($46,741).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($49,788), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($49,026), and Wholesale Trade ($45,042).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Hawaii. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Hawaii.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

1,837
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
926
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
881
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$1.07M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$676k
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation and Accommodation & Food Services
$403k
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Hawaii to other states, or from other states to Hawaii.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

Gasoline
$5.11B
Electronics
$3.18B
Mixed freight
$1.98B

In 2020, the top outbound Hawaii product (by dollars) was Gasoline with $5.11B, followed by Electronics ($3.18B) and Mixed freight ($1.98B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Hawaii products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Hawaii.

$29.7B

2020 Value in Hawaii

$52.8B

Projected 2050 Value in Hawaii

77.5% growth

In 2020, total outbound Hawaii trade was $29.7B. This is expected to increase 77.5% to $52.8B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Hawaii trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Hawaii to other states, or from other states to Hawaii.

Most Common Trade Partners

California
$1.51B
Texas
$962M
Tennessee
$363M

In 2020, the top outbound Hawaii domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was California with $1.51B, followed by Texas with $962M and Tennessee and $363M.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Hawaii shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Hawaii went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 63.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (34%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.955%).

Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono are the senators currently representing the state of Hawaii. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Hawaii is currently represented by 2 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Hilo, HI. Showing the available data for Hawaii.

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (63.1%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (34%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.955%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Hawaii went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 63.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (34%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.955%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Hawaii for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Hawaii

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Hawaii.

Brian Schatz

Senator from Hawaii

Assumed office on December 26, 2012
Appointed to the seat following the death of Daniel Inouye.

Mazie Hirono

Senator from Hawaii

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono are the senators currently representing Hawaii.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Hawaii over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Hawaii

Hawaii is currently represented by 2 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Hawaii have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Hilo, HI awarded 1,318 degrees. The student population of Hilo, HI in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 1,992 male students and 3,505 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Hilo, HI are Two or More Races (462 and 36.2%), followed by Asian (307 and 24%), White (200 and 15.7%), and Hispanic or Latino (192 and 15%).

The largest universities in Hilo, HI by number of degrees awarded are University of Hawaii at Hilo (775 and 58.8%), Hawaii Community College (530 and 40.2%), and Mauna Loa Helicopters (13 and 0.986%).

The most popular majors in Hilo, HI are Liberal Arts & Sciences (190 and 14.4%), Pharmacy (155 and 11.8%), and Registered Nursing (84 and 6.37%).

The median tuition cost in Hilo, HI for a public four year colleges is $7,344 for in-state students and $20,304 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Hilo, HI, the percentage of applicants admitted was 92.2%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 17.2%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 5,497 (36.2% men and 63.8% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 5,497 students enrolled in Hilo, HI, 36.2% men and 63.8% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Two or More Races with 2,028 records, of which 63.8% were women and 36.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
50 degree-majors awarded
Pharmacy
77 degree-majors awarded
General Psychology
50 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Hilo, HI was General Business Administration & Management with 50 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Hilo, HI according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of Hawaii at Hilo
775 degrees awarded
Hawaii Community College
530 degrees awarded
Mauna Loa Helicopters
13 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Hawaii at Hilo with 775 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 537 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Hilo, HI, which is 0.688 times less than the 781 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Two or More Races students. These 462 degrees mean that there were 1.5 times more degrees awarded to Two or More Races students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asian, with 307 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($7,344) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($494) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,340) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Hawaii.

Measure

In 2021, 0.796% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.873% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Hawaii.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (327k), Some college (251k), and Bachelors Degree (237k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Hilo, HI was $385,900 in 2021, which is 1.58 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $364,100 to $385,900, a 5.99% increase. The homeownership rate in Hilo, HI is 69.8%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Hilo, HI have an average commute time of 27.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Hilo, HI is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Hilo, HI is $68,399. In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Hilo, HI was Honolulu County, HI with a value of $92,600, followed by Maui County, HI and Kauai County, HI, with respective values of $88,249 and $86,287.

Housing

Property

$385,900

Median Property Value 2021

±$8,458

$49,822

Median Property Taxes

±$1,740

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Hilo, HI the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Hilo, HI compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

69.8%

Homeownership

2021

73.1%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 69.8% of the housing units in Hilo, HI were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 69.3%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Hilo, HI compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Hilo, HI was Honolulu County, HI with a value of $92,600, followed by Maui County, HI and Kauai County, HI, with respective values of $88,249 and $86,287.

The following map shows all of the counties in Hilo, HI colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$68,399

Median Household Income

± $1,980

71.4k

Number of Households

± 2,142

In 2021, the median household income of the 71.4k households in Hilo, HI grew to $68,399 from the previous year's value of $65,401.

The following chart displays the households in Hilo, HI distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Hilo, HI is from Hawaii.

0.431

2021 Wage GINI in Hawaii

0.428

2020 Wage GINI in Hawaii

In 2021, the income inequality in Hawaii was 0.431 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.735% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Hawaii was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Hawaii in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Hawaii across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (70.3%)
Carpooled (15.6%)
Worked At Home (9.49%)

In 2021, 70.3% of workers in Hilo, HI drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (15.6%) and those who worked at home (9.49%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

27.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Hilo, HI have a longer commute time (27.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 4.51% of the workforce in Hilo, HI have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Hilo, HI compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Hilo, HI distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Hilo, HI have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

13.8% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Hilo, HI (27.2k out of 197k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 55 - 64 and then Females 35 - 44.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Hilo, HI is Two Or More, followed by White and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

94.9% of the population of Hilo, HI has health coverage, with 42.3% on employee plans, 23% on Medicaid, 15.4% on Medicare, 12.6% on non-group plans, and 1.68% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Hawaii see 1110 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.51% decrease from the previous year (1127 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1117 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 359 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Hawaii.

1,110 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Hawaii

Primary care physicians in Hawaii see an average of 1,110 patients per year. This represents a 1.51% decrease from the previous year (1,127 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Hawaii in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.9% under 18 years, 17.3% between 18 and 34 years, 38.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 21.3% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.3% were men and 50.7% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

5.09%

Uninsured

42.3%

Employer Coverage

23%

Medicaid

15.4%

Medicare

12.6%

Non-Group

1.68%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Hilo, HI grew by 5.2% from 4.84% to 5.09%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Hilo, HI changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.