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Kauai County, HI

RANK #784 / 996  ·  POP 73,511  ·  HI

PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.4%

Kauai County ranks in the bottom tier of U.S. counties on economic momentum.

[01] Why Kauai County?

Kauai County, Hawaii, often called the "Garden Isle," is distinguished by its dramatic natural scenery, including the Nā Pali Coast's emerald cliffs and Waimea Canyon, known as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." Līhuʻe serves as the county seat, though Kapaʻa is the largest town. The island maintains a slower, intentional pace of life, with a strong sense of community. Public transportation, known as The Kauaʻi Bus, offers routes across the island, though a rental car is often recommended for comprehensive exploration. Outdoor recreation is central to life here, with extensive opportunities for hiking in places like Kōkeʻe State Park, kayaking the Wailua River, and enjoying numerous beaches. Life on Kauai County is characterized by a tight-knit community and a focus on outdoor living. While the cost of living, particularly for housing and food, can be high, residents often prioritize connection to the land and a relaxed lifestyle over urban amenities. The economy is largely driven by tourism, which supports a significant portion of local employment. Beyond tourism, the presence of the Pacific Missile Range Facility provides stable employment, and the agricultural sector is diversifying into areas such as seed corn and coffee. Recent economic developments indicate ongoing investment in sustainable infrastructure, including the introduction of electric buses for public transit.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
12.8x

Overvalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+1.9%

Below national median

Home Prices
-0.6%

Prices declining

Climate & Terrain

No data

Price/Rent
17x

Above national median (13x)

Housing looks overvalued at 12.8x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Kauai County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
73,511
+0.36% YoY
Median Household Income
$88,869
Median Home Value
$742,900
-0.55% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,686
Average Annual Pay
$59,731
+5.9% YoY
Employment
32,830
+1.6% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.1196
Less affordable than average
Migration Inflow
1.3%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$1,275,000
Days on Market
102
Slower market
Months of Supply
7.1
Buyer's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
96.6%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
15.2%
Listings w/ Price Drops
21.0%
Building Permits (2024)
141
Single-Family Permits
141

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$372M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Kaawanui Solar Project
AES Hawai'i
$172M Proposed
Lima Ola Workforce Housing Development (Phases I & II)
County of Kaua'i, Kaua'i Housing Development Corporation
$50M Under Construction
Kilauea Town Expansion Project (Phase I)
County of Kaua'i
$50M Planned
West Kauai Energy Project
AES Corporation (Client: Kauai Island Utility Company)
$50M Under Construction
Amazon Distribution Center
Amazon (developed by BH DevCo)
$50M Planned

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +1.9% 33 percentile
Population Growth +0.4% 45 percentile
Income Growth +3.0% 1 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.7% 85 percentile
Home Price Change -0.6% 25 percentile
Rent Growth +1.1% 20 percentile
Price/Rent 17x 18 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kauai County, HI a good place to move to?

Kauai County has a Boom Town Index score of 21/100, ranking #784 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.6% and a median household income of $88,869, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Kauai County affordable?

The median home value in Kauai County is $742,900 with median rent at $1,686/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1196, which is less affordable than the national average.

Is Kauai County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +0.4% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.6%. Home values changed -0.6% in the past 12 months.

[08] Similar Metros

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