Wailua, HI

Hawaii

Wailua is a small town in Hawaii with a population of 2,544. Residents earn $68,548 per year, which is 9% below the national average.

2.4 /5.0
C Fair
2,544 Population 1,652/sq mi density
$68,548 Median Income $38,066 per capita
$697,300 Home Value
$2,272 Median Rent
74°F Avg Temperature
C
Overall
2.4 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$68,548 median income, 5.6% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$697,300 home value, $2,272/mo rent
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
26.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $68,548
9% lower than US avg
Home Value $697,300
147% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 26.3%
22% lower than US avg
Median Rent $2,272
95% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 24.9%
22% lower than US avg
Unemployment 5.6%
56% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 18.8%
52% higher than US avg

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

People

Population2,544
Median Age45.8 yrs
Density1,652/mi²
Male / Female55% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 41%

Economy

B
Median Income$68,548
Per Capita$38,066
Unemployment5.6%
Poverty18.8%
County GDP$5,552M
Commute23 min

Housing

F
Home Value$697,300
Rent$2,272
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity24.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression18.8%
Heart Disease5.1%

Climate

Avg Temp74°F
AQI24 (Good)
Rain61.3 in/yr
Elevation34 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+26.3%
High School+92.6%
School Score4.88

Community

2024 VoteR 39% / D 59%
Commute23 min
Libraries6

Is Wailua a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Wailua receives an overall livability score of 2.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. Wailua has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Wailua is $68,548, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.6% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 18.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Wailua is $697,300, making it a premium housing market at 147% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,272 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 10.2x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

26.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Wailua has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 74°F. Winters average 70°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 61.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 24.

Wailua has a population of 2,544 with a density of 1,652 people per square mile. The median age is 45.8 years, 18% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (41.1%), with 12.3% Hispanic, 1.1% Black.

Population

2,544
Total Population
1,652
People / sq mi
45.8yrs
Median Age
18% above US avg
1.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 54.8%
Female 45.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Wailua vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only87.9%
12% above US avg
Spanish12.1%
10% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Wailua vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Wailua is $68,548, which is 9% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 18.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Wailua vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$68,548
9% below US avg
Per Capita Income$38,066
Avg Weekly Wage$1,149
IRS Avg AGI$79,299

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.6%
56% above US avg
Poverty Rate18.8%
52% above US avg
Establishments (County)3,468
County GDP$5,552M

Business (County)

Restaurants291
Healthcare213
Retail350
Manufacturing50

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,172
19% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.60%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.9 min
Work from Home7.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Wailua is $697,300, 147% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,272 (95% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$697,300
147% above US avg
Median List Price$817,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$817,500
$/Sq Ft$1,039
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio94.0%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory13

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,272
95% 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-Occupied58.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,172
19% above US avg
Effective Rate0.60%
In Wailua, 24.9% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 18.8% report depression. 20.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity24.9%
22% below US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease5.1%
High Blood Pressure27.3%
Asthma10.7%
COPD5.1%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.0%
Physical Inactivity20.0%
Depression18.8%
Mental Distress17.0%
Physical Distress12.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.5%
Checkup Rate71.3%
Premature Death5,801/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access92.9%
Healthcare Facilities213

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Safety Score

Wailua has an average annual temperature of 74°F (23°C). Winters average 70°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 61.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 24.

Temperature

70°F Jan (21°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average73.9°F
37% above US avg
January Average70°F (21°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall61.3 inches
61% above US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median24.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation34 ft (10 m)
Area1.5 sq mi (4.0 km²)
Population Density1,652/sq mi
Coordinates22.0545°N, 159.3372°W
County FIPS15007
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 26.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (22% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 19.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 39.3%
D 58.8%

Winner: Democrat by 19.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+26.3%
22% below US avg
High School+92.6%
School Test Score4.88
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density1,652/sq mi
Total Area1.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities213
Restaurants291
Retail Stores350

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.9 min
Work from Home7.3%

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