Kahului
RANK #984 / 996 NAT · POP 164,765
1YR FORECAST: -1.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +1%
Maui County, encompassing the islands of Maui, Lānaʻi, and Molokaʻi, offers a distinctive lifestyle rooted in its natural environment and strong community ties. Locals often highlight the island's unique culture and the relaxed pace of life. The county seat, Wailuku, is known for its historic character and cultural sites, while towns like Paia offer a bohemian surf town atmosphere. Commuting across Maui is primarily done by car, though the Maui Bus public transit system provides routes connecting various communities, including Central, South, and West Maui. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with opportunities for surfing, kayaking, hiking through bamboo forests to waterfalls, and snorkeling with sea turtles.
Life in Maui County blends modern amenities with a focus on sustainability and connection to the land. The economy, historically reliant on tourism and agriculture, is diversifying with growth in technology, renewable energy, and healthcare sectors. While the county has faced economic challenges, including those from recent wildfires, there is ongoing investment in infrastructure projects to support housing and community development. Educational options include public schools, part of the statewide system, and various private institutions, some offering Hawaiian Language Immersion Programs.
Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 28.9x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Kūihelani Solar-plus-Storage
AES Hawai'i
|
$240M | Operating |
|
Waena Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
Hawaiian Electric
|
$160M | Under Construction |
|
Single-Family New Construction Program (Affordable Housing)
County of Maui Office of Recovery
|
$92M | Planned |
|
Kaheawa Wind Power I (25-year lease extension)
Kaheawa Wind Power LLC
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Waste-to-Renewable Natural Gas Project
E&K Aloha ʻĀina, LLC
|
$50M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Maui County scores just 0/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #984 of 996 counties. Job growth at -0.9% and median household income of $95,379 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Affordability is a real challenge in Maui County. The median home is valued at $800,100 — 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 $1,805/month.
Population and employment in Maui County are both close to flat — population +0.1% YoY and jobs -0.9%. Home values shifted -6.2% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
Not particularly — 1.52% of Maui County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.
Home values fell -6.2% over the past year in Maui County, bringing the median down to $800,100. A drop of that magnitude usually reflects weakening demand or population outflow — worth watching if you're considering buying here.