Kaunakakai, HI

Hawaii · Metropolitan Area

Kaunakakai is a small town in Hawaii with a population of 3,721. Residents earn $76,944 per year, which is 2% above the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
3,721 Population 290/sq mi density
$76,944 Median Income $30,048 per capita
$335,200 Home Value $401,614 Zillow
$905 Median Rent
76°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$76,944 median income, 2.9% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.2 / 5.0
$335,200 home value, $905/mo rent
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $76,944
2% higher than US avg
Home Value $335,200
19% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.8%
50% lower than US avg
Median Rent $905
22% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.1%
3% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.9%
19% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 19.6%
58% higher than US avg

How Kaunakakai Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population3,721
Median Age33.7 yrs
Density290/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 11%

Economy

B+
Median Income$76,944
Per Capita$30,048
Unemployment2.9%
Poverty19.6%
Commute13 min

Housing

A
Home Value$335,200
Rent$905
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$401,614

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity33.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression18.4%
Heart Disease6.5%

Climate

Avg Temp76°F
AQI24 (Good)
Rain21.7 in/yr

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.8%
High School+89.6%
School Score4.88

Community

2024 VoteR 37% / D 61%
Commute13 min
EV Stations1

Is Kaunakakai a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Kaunakakai receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate. Kaunakakai offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Kaunakakai is $76,944, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.9%. The poverty rate of 19.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 13 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Kaunakakai is $335,200, 19% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $905 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

16.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Kaunakakai has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 76°F. Winters average 72°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 21.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 24.

Kaunakakai has a population of 3,721 with a density of 290 people per square mile. The median age is 33.7 years, 13% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (10.5%), with 2.6% Hispanic.

Population

3,721
Total Population
290
People / sq mi
33.7yrs
Median Age
13% below US avg
12.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.8%
Female 47.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Kaunakakai vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only85.7%
9% above US avg
Spanish14.3%
7% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Kaunakakai vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Kaunakakai is $76,944, which is 2% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 19.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 13 minutes.

Income: Kaunakakai vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$76,944
2% above US avg
Per Capita Income$30,048

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.9%
19% below US avg
Poverty Rate19.6%
58% above US avg

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time13.3 min
Work from Home9.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Kaunakakai is $335,200, 19% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $905 (22% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $401,614.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$335,200
19% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$401,614
Median List Price$879,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$879,500
$/Sq Ft$312
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio104.3%
Price Drops12.5%
Inventory24

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$905
22% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,786
1 Bedroom$1,859
2 Bedrooms$2,433
3 Bedrooms$3,157
4 Bedrooms$3,779

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied56.7%

Property Tax

In Kaunakakai, 33.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 18.4% report depression. 23.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Kaunakakai vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.1%
3% above US avg
Diabetes12.8%
Heart Disease6.5%
High Blood Pressure29.7%
Asthma12.6%
COPD6.7%
Stroke4.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.9%
Physical Inactivity23.0%
Depression18.4%
Mental Distress19.8%
Physical Distress15.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.0%
Checkup Rate69.9%

Food & Exercise

Exercise Access100.0%

Crime Rates: Kaunakakai vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Kaunakakai has an average annual temperature of 76°F (24°C). Winters average 72°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 21.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 24.

Temperature

72°F Jan (22°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average75.9°F
41% above US avg
January Average72°F (22°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall21.7 inches
43% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median24.0
RatingGood

Geography

Area12.8 sq mi (33.3 km²)
Population Density290/sq mi
Coordinates21.0942°N, 157.0009°W
County FIPS15005
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 16.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (50% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 23.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 37.1%
D 60.9%

Winner: Democrat by 23.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.8%
50% below US avg
High School+89.6%
School Test Score4.88
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density290/sq mi
Total Area12.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute13.3 min
Work from Home9.8%

Nearby Cities

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