Puako, HI

Hawaii

Puako is a small town in Hawaii with a population of 302. Residents earn $116,250 per year, which is 55% above the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
302 Population 94/sq mi density
$116,250 Median Income $120,150 per capita
$1,781,300 Home Value $2,186,455 Zillow
$1,964 Median Rent
46°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$116,250 median income, 6.6% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$1,781,300 home value, $1,964/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
60.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $116,250
55% higher than US avg
Home Value $1,781,300
532% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 60.8%
80% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,964
69% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 24.4%
24% lower than US avg
Unemployment 6.6%
83% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.1%
67% lower than US avg

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

People

Population302
Median Age63.1 yrs
Density94/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 70%

Economy

A
Median Income$116,250
Per Capita$120,150
Unemployment6.6%
Poverty4.1%
County GDP$12,193M
Commute35 min

Housing

F
Home Value$1,781,300
Rent$1,964
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$2,186,455

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity24.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.7%
Heart Disease4.5%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F
AQI24 (Good)
Rain14.3 in/yr
Elevation26 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+60.8%
High School+98.4%
School Score4.88

Community

2024 VoteR 35% / D 63%
Commute35 min
Libraries12

Is Puako a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Puako receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment, long commute times. Puako offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Puako is $116,250, which is significantly higher than the national average — 55% above $75,149. This places Puako among higher-income communities. The unemployment rate of 6.6% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 4.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Puako is $1,781,300, making it a premium housing market at 532% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,964 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 15.3x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

Puako is a highly educated community — 60.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 98.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Puako experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 49°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 14.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 24.

Puako has a population of 302 with a density of 94 people per square mile. The median age is 63.1 years, 62% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (69.9%), with 2% Hispanic.

Population

302
Total Population
94
People / sq mi
63.1yrs
Median Age
62% above US avg
3.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.4%
Female 55.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Puako vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only86.7%
10% above US avg
Spanish13.3%
1% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Puako vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Puako is $116,250, which is 55% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 4.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes.

Income: Puako vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$116,250
55% above US avg
Per Capita Income$120,150
Avg Weekly Wage$1,113
IRS Avg AGI$68,663

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.6%
83% above US avg
Poverty Rate4.1%
67% 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 Rate0.26%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time35.2 min
Work from Home18.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Puako is $1,781,300, 532% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,964 (69% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $2,186,455.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$1,781,300
532% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$2,186,455

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,964
69% above 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-Occupied73.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,582
31% above US avg
Effective Rate0.26%
In Puako, 24.4% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 20.7% report depression. 13.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity24.4%
24% below US avg
Diabetes6.5%
Heart Disease4.5%
High Blood Pressure21.4%
Asthma9.9%
COPD3.8%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking25.1%
Physical Inactivity13.5%
Depression20.7%
Mental Distress14.8%
Physical Distress10.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.3%
Checkup Rate71.2%
Premature Death7,851/100K

Food & Exercise

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

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)31
FEMA Disasters364

Safety Score

Puako has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 49°F in July. Annual precipitation is 14.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 24.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 49°F Jul (10°C)
Annual Average46.0°F
15% below US avg
January Average43°F (6°C)
July Average49°F (10°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall14.3 inches
62% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median24.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation26 ft (8 m)
Area3.2 sq mi (8.3 km²)
Population Density94/sq mi
Coordinates19.9591°N, 155.8491°W
County FIPS15001
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 60.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (80% above 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+60.8%
80% above US avg
High School+98.4%
School Test Score4.88
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density94/sq mi
Total Area3.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries12
Healthcare Facilities503
Restaurants490
Retail Stores624

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)31
FEMA Disaster Declarations364

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute35.2 min
Work from Home18.2%

Nearby Cities

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