Wailuku, HI

Hawaii · Metropolitan Area

Wailuku is a small city in Hawaii with a population of 15,754. Residents earn $93,958 per year, which is 25% above the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
15,754 Population 2,989/sq mi density
$93,958 Median Income $48,946 per capita
$781,700 Home Value $910,607 Zillow
$1,747 Median Rent
74°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.9 / 5.0
$93,958 median income, 2.0% unemployment
D
Affordability
2.0 / 5.0
$781,700 home value, $1,747/mo rent
B+
Education
3.9 / 5.0
35.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $93,958
25% higher than US avg
Home Value $781,700
177% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 35.8%
6% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,747
50% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 25.3%
21% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.0%
44% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.8%
69% lower than US avg

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

People

Population15,754
Median Age44.8 yrs
Density2,989/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 22%

Economy

A+
Median Income$93,958
Per Capita$48,946
Unemployment2.0%
Poverty3.8%
Commute21 min

Housing

D
Home Value$781,700
Rent$1,747
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$910,607

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity25.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression16.2%
Heart Disease4.6%

Climate

Avg Temp74°F
AQI24 (Good)
Rain23.3 in/yr
Elevation306 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+35.8%
High School+93.4%
School Score4.88

Community

2024 VoteR 36% / D 62%
Commute21 min
EV Stations7
Libraries9

Is Wailuku a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Wailuku receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Wailuku offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Wailuku is $93,958, 25% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.0%. Only 3.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Wailuku is $781,700, making it a premium housing market at 177% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,747 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 8.3x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 35.8% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 93.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Wailuku 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 23.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 24.

Wailuku has a population of 15,754 with a density of 2,989 people per square mile. The median age is 44.8 years, 15% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (21.5%), with 3% Hispanic.

Population

15,754
Total Population
2,989
People / sq mi
44.8yrs
Median Age
15% above US avg
5.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.4%
Female 48.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Wailuku vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only77.7%
1% below US avg
Spanish22.3%
66% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Wailuku vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Wailuku is $93,958, which is 25% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Wailuku vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$93,958
25% above US avg
Per Capita Income$48,946
Avg Weekly Wage$1,189
IRS Avg AGI$79,779

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.0%
44% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.8%
69% below US avg
Establishments (County)7,892

Business (County)

Restaurants571
Healthcare490
Retail762
Manufacturing136

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,960
15% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.38%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.9 min
Work from Home7.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Wailuku is $781,700, 177% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,747 (50% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $910,607.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$781,700
177% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$910,607
Median List Price$725,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$725,000
$/Sq Ft$663
Homes Sold9
Sale-to-List Ratio96.6%
Price Drops20.2%
Inventory94

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,747
50% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$3,220

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-Occupied69.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,960
15% below US avg
Effective Rate0.38%
In Wailuku, 25.3% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 16.2% report depression. 18.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity25.3%
21% below US avg
Diabetes9.3%
Heart Disease4.6%
High Blood Pressure24.5%
Asthma10.5%
COPD4.3%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.3%
Physical Inactivity18.0%
Depression16.2%
Mental Distress16.0%
Physical Distress11.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.1%
Checkup Rate70.6%
Premature Death6,323/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access89.8%
Healthcare Facilities490

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)17
FEMA Disasters364

Safety Score

Wailuku 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 23.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 24.

Temperature

70°F Jan (21°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average74.1°F
37% above US avg
January Average70°F (21°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall23.3 inches
39% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median24.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation306 ft (93 m)
Area5.3 sq mi (13.6 km²)
Population Density2,989/sq mi
Coordinates20.8855°N, 156.5036°W
County FIPS15009
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 35.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (6% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 25.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 36%
D 61.9%

Winner: Democrat by 25.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+35.8%
6% above US avg
High School+93.4%
School Test Score4.88
B+ Education Grade (3.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density2,989/sq mi
Total Area5.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations7
Alt Fuel Stations7
Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities490
Restaurants571
Retail Stores762

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)17
FEMA Disaster Declarations364

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.9 min
Work from Home7.4%

Nearby Cities

Compare Wailuku with another city: