RANK #755 / 996 NAT · POP 1,010,100
1YR FORECAST: +0.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +17%
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.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Prices declining
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 12.3x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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 996 counties.
At 24/100, Honolulu County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $99,816 combined with job growth of +1.1% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Affordability is a real challenge in Honolulu County. The median home is valued at $832,200 — 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 $1,976/month.
Employers in Honolulu County are hiring — job growth of +1.1% — but the population is close to flat (-0.5% YoY). Home values moved -0.6% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
Not particularly — 0.36% 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.