Hilo, HI

Census Place

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2024 Population

50,404

US Senator

Brian Schatz

Democratic Party

US Senator

Mazie Hirono

Democratic Party

2024 Median Age

42.7

0.235% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

14.5%

3.19% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$81,779

3.9% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$483,000

6.13% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

22,823

4.88% 1-year growth

About

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.

94.5% of the residents in Hilo, HI are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Hilo, HI are University of Hawaii at Hilo (653 degrees awarded in 2024) and Hawaii Community College (451 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Hilo, HI was $483,000, and the homeownership rate was 66.1%.

Most people in Hilo, HI drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 20.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Hilo, HI was 2 cars per household.

United States Hawaii Hawaii County, HI Hilo, HI Hawaii County PUMA, HI

Population & Diversity

Hilo, HI is home to a population of 50.4k people, from which 94.5% are citizens. As of 2024, 10.6% of Hilo, HI residents were born outside of the country (5.36k people).

In 2024, there were 1.31 times more Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents (17.2k people) in Hilo, HI than any other race or ethnicity. There were 13.2k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) and 7.21k White (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

94.5%

2024 Citizenship

95.4%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 94.5% of Hilo, HI residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Hilo, HI was 95.4%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Asian (Non-Hispanic)
17.2k ± 1.54k
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
13.2k ± 1.36k
White (Non-Hispanic)
7.21k ± 814

11%

Hispanic Population

5.53k people

11% of the people in Hilo, HI are hispanic (5.53k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Hilo, HI as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Philippines
114,478 ± 7,971 people
Japan
24,963 ± 3,845 people
China
21,479 ± 3,571 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Hawaii was Philippines, the natal country of 114,478 Hawaii residents, followed by Japan with 24,963 and China with 21,479.

Foreign-Born Population

10.6%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

5.36k people

9.46%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

4.56k people

As of 2024, 10.6% of Hilo, HI residents (5.36k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Hilo, HI was 9.46%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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
1,106 ± 215
Gulf War (2001-)
449 ± 178
Gulf War (1990s)
371 ± 142

Hilo, HI has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.46 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Hilo, HI.

Health

97.1% of the population of Hilo, HI has health coverage, with 47.3% on employee plans, 19% on Medicaid, 14.7% on Medicare, 15.5% on non-group plans, and 0.559% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Hawaii see 1,122 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,122 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1111 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 320 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.7% were men and 52.3% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.5% under 18 years, 19.7% between 18 and 34 years, 36.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 22% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.7% were men and 52.3% were women.

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

Uninsured People

2.93%

Uninsured

47.3%

Employer Coverage

19%

Medicaid

14.7%

Medicare

15.5%

Non-Group

0.559%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Hilo, HI grew by 3.82% from 2.82% to 2.93%.

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.

Economy

The economy of Hilo, HI employs 22.8k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Hilo, HI were Educational Services (3,396 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (3,170 people), and Retail Trade (2,469 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($103,750), Public Administration ($74,479), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($71,538).

Employment

Occupations

22.8k

2024 Value

± 1,276

4.88%

1 Year growth

± 7.61%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Hilo, HI grew at a rate of 4.88%, from 21.8k employees to 22.8k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Hilo, HI, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,640 people), Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (2,210 people), and Management Occupations (2,141 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 Hawaii.

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.

Industries

Employment by Industries

22.8k

2024 Value

± 1,276

4.88%

1 Year growth

± 7.61%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Hilo, HI grew at a rate of 4.88%, from 21.8k employees to 22.8k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Hilo, HI, are Educational Services (3,396 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (3,170 people), and Retail Trade (2,469 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

$50,614

Median earning men ± $4,104

$40,820

Median earning women ± $2,230

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($92,877), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($65,765), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($65,313).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($57,242), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($48,135), and Wholesale Trade ($43,750).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

3.99%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 634k people employed in Hawaii. This represents a 3.99% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 22.4%.

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

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Hawaii went to Kamala Harris with 60.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (37.5%), followed by Jill Stein (0.849%).

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.

2024 Election Results

Kamala Harris (60.6%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (37.5%)
Republican Party
Jill Stein (0.849%)
Green Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Hawaii went to Kamala Harris with 60.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (37.5%), followed by Jill Stein (0.849%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Hawaii for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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.

Education

In 2024, universities in Hilo, HI awarded 1,104 degrees. The student population of Hilo, HI in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 1,836 male students and 3,121 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Hilo, HI are Two or More Races (394 and 36.7%), Asian (206 and 19.2%), White (204 and 19%), and Hispanic or Latino (181 and 16.8%).

The largest universities in Hilo, HI by number of degrees awarded are University of Hawaii at Hilo (653 and 59.1%) and Hawaii Community College (451 and 40.9%).

The most popular majors in Hilo, HI are Liberal Arts & Sciences (132 and 12%), Pharmacy (74 and 6.7%), and Registered Nursing (68 and 6.16%).

The median tuition cost 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 2024 in Hilo, HI, the percentage of applicants admitted was 60.6%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 24.7%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 4,957 (37% men and 63% 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 2024 there were 4,957 students enrolled in Hilo, HI, 37% men and 63% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Two or More Races with 1,742 records, of which 64.4% were women and 35.6% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
63 degrees awarded
General Psychology
47 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
40 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Hilo, HI was General Business Administration & Management with 63 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
653 degrees awarded
Hawaii Community College
451 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Hawaii at Hilo with 653 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2024, 467 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Hilo, HI, which is 0.733 times less than the 637 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Two or More Races students. These 394 degrees mean that there were 1.91 times more degrees awarded to Two or More Races students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asian, with 206 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 2024.

Public, 4-year or above ($494) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Public, 2-year ($1,350) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

Housing & Living

The median property value in Hilo, HI was $483,000 in 2024, which is 1.45 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $455,100 to $483,000, a 6.13% increase. The homeownership rate in Hilo, HI is 66.1%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Hilo, HI have an average commute time of 20.3 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.

Housing

Property

$483,000

Median Property Value 2024

±$14,775

$11,736

Median Property Taxes

±$783

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

66.1%

Homeownership

2024

68.4%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 66.1% of the housing units in Hilo, HI were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 65.5%.

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

Equity

Household Income

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

$81,779

Median Household Income

± $7,098

17.8k

Number of Households

± 1,059

In 2024, the median household income of the 17.8k households in Hilo, HI grew to $81,779 from the previous year's value of $78,713.

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 $200k+ range.

Wage Distribution

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

0.436

2024 Wage GINI in Hawaii

0.433

2023 Wage GINI in Hawaii

In 2024, the income inequality in Hawaii was 0.436 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.688% growth from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Hawaii was lower than than the national average of 0.474. 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 2024

Drove Alone (71.8%)
Carpooled (13.5%)
Worked At Home (8.89%)

In 2024, 71.8% of workers in Hilo, HI drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (13.5%) and those who worked at home (8.89%).

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

20.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Hilo, HI have a shorter commute time (20.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 4.45% 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

14.5% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Hilo, HI (7.1k out of 48.9k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 18 - 24, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Females 25 - 34.

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

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.