Hawaii

Key Details

• Hawaii had an estimated population of 1.44 million as of 2023.
• In 2022, Hawaii had an estimated 554,000 housing units, about 76,000 of which were vacant, representing nearly 14% of the state's total housing units.
• At least 86% of Hawaains aged 25 years and over have completed high school or have equivalent qualifications, while about 35.4% have attained a bachelor's degree or higher.
• The Governor of Hawaii in 2024 is Josh Green, M.D. of the Democratic Party.
• Hawaii's median household income was $92,458 as of 2022, which was higher than the national average for that year.
• Hawaii's life expectancy at birth is 80.7.

Hawaii Population Demographics

Hawaii ranks as one of the states with the least population, with about 1.44 million residents consisting of different races and ethnicities. Black or African Americans make up about 1.84% of the state's population, making it one of the smallest ethnic groups in the state. Asian (non-Hispanic) is the largest ethnic group, accounting for 36.5% of the state's demography, followed by White (non-Hispanic) with 21% of the state's population.

In 2022, the state had 1.73 times more Asian residents (non-Hispanic) than any other ethnic group or race. Hawaii has a population density of 86.58 persons per square kilometer. By gender mix, Hawaii has 50.4% males and 49.6% females. According to reports, immigrants comprise about 18% of the Hawaii population and approximately 23% of the state's labor force.

Elections and Voting

Statewide elections in Hawaii are conducted in even-numbered years. While the primary election is held on the second Saturday in August, the general elections are held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November. A person must be at least 16 years old, a U.S. Citizen, and a resident of the state to be able to register to vote in Hawaii.

Hawaii's most popular political parties are the Democratic and the Republican parties. In 2018, David Ige of the Democratic party won the state's governorship election with 62.7% of the total vote cast to win Andia Tupola, a Republican, who got 33.7%. Similarly, the 2022 general election for Governor of Hawaii was won by a Democrat, Joshua Green, with 63.2% of the total votes. Behind him was Duke Aiona, a Republican, who got 36.8% of the total vote cast. The 2022 Senate and two House elections in the state were also won by Democrats, with 71.2% (Senate), 73.7% (Hawaii 1), and 62.3% (Hawaii 2), respectively.

The voting patterns of Hawaii residents at the presidential elections are a clear reflection of what operates at the state level, making Hawaii a Democratic stronghold in presidential elections. Since gaining statehood in 1959, the majority of the state voters have only voted for Republican presidential candidates twice. They voted for Richard Nixon in 1972 and Ronald Reagan in 1984. Every other year has been won by a Democrat. These include the 2020 general presidential elections in which 63.7% of Hawaii voters voted for Joe Biden, a Democrat, over Donald Trump, a Republican, who only got 34.3% of the state's vote.

Housing, Income, and Employment

There are approximately 554,000 housing units in Hawaii, and about 14% of them are vacant. Homeownership rates in the state are one of the lowest (ranked 47th) in the United States, with an estimated 56.9% of residents owning their homes. This is because the state's housing costs are one of the most expensive in the nation. The median price for a single-family dwelling is about $850,000, and $600,000 for a condo. The average household size for owner-occupied homes is 3.17 and 2.83 for renter-occupied dwellings. The median monthly gross rent is about $1,438.

With a median household income of approximately $69,515, only one in two households in Hawaii can afford a condo. Similarly, fewer than one in three can afford a single-family dwelling. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is between $1,500 and $2,000 or more. A two-bedroom house starts from at least $1,900, while rent for a studio can range from $1,500 to $1,600 per month, depending on the location. Housing costs in the state have tripled since the 1990s and are now 2.7 times the national average. As a result of their inability to get affordable housing, more native Hawaiians now reside on the mainland than in Hawaii.

Hawaii's unemployment rate was 3% as of May 2024, compared to 3.10% in April 2024 and 2.80% in June 2023. However, the current unemployment rate is lower than the long-term average of 4.7%. Between April 2023 and May 2024, Hawaii ranks 48th in the United States for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment. However, the state's labor force participation (a measure of the part of an economy's labor force relative to its size) rate fell to 59.6% in May from 59.7%

Hawaii Crime Rates

The violent crime rate in Hawaii, with an average of about 249 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, is lower than the national average of 382.9 per 100,000. While crimes like rape and assault are common, the state is still considered fairly safe in terms of violent crimes. The state's murder rate is approximately 2.5 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is also lower than the national average of 5 per 100,000.

Property crime is more common in Hawaii, with a rate of 2,870 incidents per 100,000 people, which is a bit higher than the national average. Some of the most dangerous cities in the state are Waianee, Maiili, Makaha, Hawaiian Paradise Park, and Nanakuli.

How to Find People in Hawaii

Several online resources, including social media platforms and professional profiles, provide a means of finding people in Hawaii. Many people now keep some contact information on social media profiles, including addresses, phone numbers, and places of employment, making it easy for anyone to get in touch.

Interesting Facts About Hawaii