Pahala, HI

Hawaii

Pahala is a small town in Hawaii with a population of 1,785. Residents earn $71,908 per year, which is 4% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
1,785 Population 2,789/sq mi density
$71,908 Median Income $22,980 per capita
$216,600 Home Value $281,397 Zillow
$650 Median Rent
62°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$71,908 median income, 7.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$216,600 home value, $650/mo rent
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $71,908
4% lower than US avg
Home Value $216,600
23% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.0%
38% lower than US avg
Median Rent $650
44% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 25.5%
21% lower than US avg
Unemployment 7.2%
100% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.6%
39% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,785
Median Age30.7 yrs
Density2,789/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 8%

Economy

B+
Median Income$71,908
Per Capita$22,980
Unemployment7.2%
Poverty7.6%
County GDP$12,193M
Commute40 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$216,600
Rent$650
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$281,397

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity25.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.0%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI24 (Good)
Rain96.2 in/yr
Elevation848 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.0%
High School+91.2%
School Score4.88

Community

2024 VoteR 35% / D 63%
Commute40 min
EV Stations1
Libraries12

Is Pahala a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Pahala receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, long commute times. Pahala offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Pahala is $71,908, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.2% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 7.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 40 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Pahala is $216,600, 23% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $650 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

21.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Pahala enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 96.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 24.

Pahala has a population of 1,785 with a density of 2,789 people per square mile. The median age is 30.7 years, 21% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (7.7%), with 5.5% Hispanic, 2.6% Black.

Population

1,785
Total Population
2,789
People / sq mi
30.7yrs
Median Age
21% below US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.6%
Female 53.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Pahala vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only62.1%
21% below US avg
Spanish37.9%
183% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Pahala vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Pahala is $71,908, which is 4% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 7.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 7.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 40 minutes.

Income: Pahala vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$71,908
4% below US avg
Per Capita Income$22,980
Avg Weekly Wage$1,113
IRS Avg AGI$68,663

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.2%
100% above US avg
Poverty Rate7.6%
39% below US avg
Establishments (County)7,367
County GDP$12,193M

Business (County)

Restaurants490
Healthcare503
Retail624
Manufacturing110

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,582
31% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.12%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time39.8 min
Work from Home11.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Pahala is $216,600, 23% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $650 (44% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $281,397.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$216,600
23% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$281,397

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$650
44% 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-Occupied82.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,582
31% above US avg
Effective Rate2.12%
In Pahala, 25.5% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 19.0% report depression. 25.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity25.5%
21% below US avg
Diabetes11.6%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure25.9%
Asthma10.7%
COPD5.9%
Stroke3.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.4%
Physical Inactivity25.7%
Depression19.0%
Mental Distress17.7%
Physical Distress14.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.1%
Checkup Rate71.0%
Premature Death7,851/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access76.7%
Healthcare Facilities503

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)31
FEMA Disasters364

Safety Score

Pahala has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation is 96.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 24.

Temperature

59°F Jan (15°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average61.7°F
14% above US avg
January Average59°F (15°C)
July Average64°F (18°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall96.2 inches
153% above US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median24.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation848 ft (258 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.7 km²)
Population Density2,789/sq mi
Coordinates19.1992°N, 155.4773°W
County FIPS15001
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 21.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (38% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 28.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 34.7%
D 63%

Winner: Democrat by 28.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.0%
38% below US avg
High School+91.2%
School Test Score4.88
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density2,789/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries12
Healthcare Facilities503
Restaurants490
Retail Stores624

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)31
FEMA Disaster Declarations364

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute39.8 min
Work from Home11.5%

Nearby Cities

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