Hilo
RANK #768 / 996 NAT · POP 202,163
1YR FORECAST: -0.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +17%
Hawaii County, coextensive with the Island of Hawaiʻi, often called the "Big Island," is distinguished by its dramatic volcanic landscapes, including the active Kīlauea volcano and the towering Mauna Kea. Hilo, the county seat, sits on the lush, rainy windward side, while Kailua-Kona is a hub on the drier leeward coast. The island's diverse geography offers everything from black sand beaches to rainforests. Commute times vary across this large island, but public transit, known as Hele-On, provides free bus service across the entire island, including routes to popular destinations like Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Outdoor recreation opportunities are abundant, with numerous state and county parks, hiking trails, and ocean activities like snorkeling and surfing.
Life on Hawaiʻi Island often involves a deep connection to the land and a community-focused lifestyle. While the state generally ranks well for quality of life due to climate and recreational opportunities, Hawaii County has faced challenges in some quality of life indicators compared to other Hawaiian counties. The economy is driven by tourism and agriculture, with recent job growth in sectors like arts, entertainment, and recreation. There is also ongoing investment and development in energy sectors. The public school system is managed statewide, with various public, charter, and private schools available across the island.
Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 9.8x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Keamuku Solar + Battery Storage
AES / Hawaiian Electric
|
$86M | Planned |
|
Haihai Street Workforce Housing
County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing and Community Development
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
ʻĀinakō Subdivision Housing
County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing and Community Development
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Kaiminani Drive Workforce Housing
County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing and Community Development
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Waikoloa Solar + Storage Project
AES Hawai'i
|
$30M | Operating |
|
Hale Kuawehi Solar + Battery Storage
Hawaiian Electric
|
$30M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 22/100, Hawaii County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $74,238 combined with job growth of +2.0% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Hawaii County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $454,900 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.16 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,352/month on average.
Hawaii County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.8% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.0% clip. Home values shifted -1.7% in the past year.
Not particularly — 0.93% of Hawaii County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.