RANK #307 / 1001 NAT · POP 73,731
1YR FORECAST: +1.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +31%
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.
Kauai 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 +0.5% runs above the profile's typical -0.8%.
See all 78 Western Premium Correction counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 30.7x — 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: 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 (2021–2022). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 69/100, Kauai County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +1.4%, and median household income stands at $97,668 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in HI.
Affordability is a real challenge in Kauai County. The median home is valued at $873,200 — with an income-to-home-value ratio of just 0.11, that's significantly harder to afford than in most U.S. counties. Median rent runs $1,870/month.
Employers in Kauai County are hiring — job growth of +1.4% — but the population is close to flat (+0.2% YoY). Home values moved +0.5% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
Not particularly — 1.27% of Kauai County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.