RANK #510 / 1001 NAT · POP 1,001,146
1YR FORECAST: +0.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +18%
Honolulu County, encompassing the entire island of Oʻahu, is distinguished by its blend of urban development and natural scenery, with the iconic Diamond Head crater overlooking the capital city of Honolulu. Located over 2,400 miles from the U.S. mainland, it is one of the most isolated major metropolitan areas globally. Commute options include TheBus, a public bus system, and the new Skyline rail, which aims to alleviate traffic congestion. The community offers extensive outdoor recreation, from surfing and snorkeling to hiking trails and numerous parks.
Life in Honolulu County offers a unique blend of cultures, influenced by Native Hawaiian heritage and diverse immigration from across the Pacific. The economy is driven by tourism, military presence, and ongoing efforts to diversify into sustainable sectors. Recent economic developments focus on building a resilient economy, with investments in renewable energy, water conservation, and local food production. Public schools are generally above average, and the county also has notable private institutions like Punahou School and 'Iolani School.
Honolulu County is one of 78 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +2.3% runs above the profile's typical -0.8%.
See all 78 Western Premium Correction counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 27.0x — 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Honolulu County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Ward Village Master-Planned Community
Howard Hughes
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Kapolei Energy Storage (KES)
Plus Power
|
$400M | Operating |
|
Mililani Solar (39 MW) and Waiawa Solar (36 MW) with Battery Storage
Clearway Energy Group
|
$140M | Operating |
|
Mahi Solar & Storage Project
Longroad Energy
|
$120M | Planned |
|
Na Pua Makani Wind Farm
AES Hawaii
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Honolulu County scores 49/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#510). Median household income is $106,195 and job growth is running at +0.4%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Affordability is a real challenge in Honolulu County. The median home is valued at $897,500 — with an income-to-home-value ratio of just 0.12, that's significantly harder to afford than in most U.S. counties. Median rent runs $2,083/month.
Population and employment in Honolulu County are both close to flat — population -0.2% YoY and jobs +0.4%. Home values shifted +2.3% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
Not particularly — 0.41% of Honolulu County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.