Hilo is a CDP located in Hawaii County Hawaii. Hilo has a 2024 population of 48,354. It is also the county seat of Hawaii County. Hilo is currently growing at a rate of 0.76% annually and its population has increased by 6.86% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 45,248 in 2020.
The average household income in Hilo is $106,396 with a poverty rate of 14.07%. The median age in Hilo is 42.6 years: 41.1 years for males, and 44.4 years for females.
Hilo is home to two volcanoes, including Mauna Loa which is active. It is also the site of the University of Hawaii at Hilo and is known for the Merrie Monarch Festival and is one of the largest producers of macadamia nuts in the world.
The city’s population throughout the 20th century grew until 1960 when the census that year showed that a population drop had occurred. However, by the next poll, that number had bounced back, and substantial growth was recorded at the next 10-year census in 1980. The city is continuing to see slow but steady growth, a trend that is expected to continue through the future.
According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Hilo was:
Race | Population | Percentage (of total) |
|---|---|---|
| Two or more races | 17,319 | 35.91% |
| Asian | 15,347 | 31.83% |
| White | 7,883 | 16.35% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 6,694 | 13.88% |
| Other race | 561 | 1.16% |
| Black or African American | 388 | 0.8% |
| Native American | 31 | 0.06% |
Two or more races
Asian
White
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
Other race
Black or African American
Native American
Household Type | Count | Average Size | Owner | Renter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | 17,126 | 2.74 | 65.5 | 34.5 |
| Married | 7,619 | 3.51 | 81.7 | 18.3 |
| Non Family | 5,807 | 1.3 | 56.2 | 43.8 |
| Female | 2,901 | 3.37 | 42.9 | 57.1 |
| Male | 799 | 3.68 | 60.6 | 39.4 |
3.33
Average Family Size
2.74
Average Household Size
65.5%
Rate of Home Ownership
Married
Male
Female
NonFamily
owner
renter
Male
Female
Education Attained | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 9th to 12th Grade | 978 | 2.85% |
| Associates Degree | 5,014 | 14.62% |
| Bachelors Degree | 7,248 | 21.14% |
| Graduate Degree | 4,421 | 12.89% |
| High School Graduate | 9,474 | 27.63% |
| Less Than 9th Grade | 846 | 2.47% |
| Some College | 6,304 | 18.39% |
Less Than 9th Grade
9th to 12th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Associates Degree
Bachelors Degree
Graduate Degree
High School Graduation Rate
Bachelors Rate
Race | Total | High School | Bachelors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asian | 13,220 | 12,264 | 4,880 |
| 2+ Races | 9,265 | 8,959 | 2,750 |
| White | 6,302 | 6,027 | 2,846 |
| Islander | 4,757 | 4,521 | 935 |
| Hispanic | 2,566 | 2,412 | 417 |
| Other Race | 306 | 255 | 92 |
| Black | 169 | 169 | 76 |
| Native American | 25 | 25 | 3 |
The highest rate of high school graduation is among black people with a rate of 100%.
The highest rate of bachelors degrees is among white people with a rate of 45.16%.
All
Male
Female
Name | Average | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelors Degree | $52,696 | $65,495 | $48,944 |
| Graduate Degree | $82,417 | $91,406 | $80,076 |
| High School Graduate | $39,113 | $41,950 | $35,468 |
| Less Than 9th Grade | $40,429 | $41,222 | $32,321 |
| Overall | $46,436 | $52,406 | $41,757 |
| Some College | $39,135 | $48,467 | $34,265 |
$46,436
Average Earnings
$52,406
Average Male
$41,757
Average Female
Only English
Spanish
Other Indo-European Languages
Asian and Pacific Island Languages
Other Languages
76.06% of Hilo residents speak only English, while 23.94% speak other languages. The non-English language spoken by the largest group is Asian and Pacific Island languages, which is spoken by 16.63% of the population.
rate
Name | Total | In Poverty | Poverty Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple | 16,964 | 3,046 | 17.96% |
| Hispanic | 5,408 | 1,461 | 27.02% |
| White | 7,190 | 1,048 | 14.58% |
| Asian | 15,096 | 1,038 | 6.88% |
| Islander | 6,525 | 1,003 | 15.37% |
| Black | 360 | 211 | 58.61% |
| Other | 424 | 171 | 40.33% |
| Native | 31 | 10 | 32.26% |
14.07%
Overall Poverty Rate
13.36%
Male Poverty Rate
14.72%
Female Poverty Rate
The race most likely to be in poverty in Hilo is Black, with 58.61% below the poverty level.
The race least likely to be in poverty in Hilo is Asian, with 6.88% below the poverty level.
The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 1.8%. Among those working part-time, it was 22.44%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 19.11%.
rate
Rate | Poverty |
|---|---|
| High School | 15.58% |
| Some College | 11.88% |
| Less Than 9th Grade | 11.42% |
| Bachelors or Greater | 6.63% |
rate
Rate | Poverty |
|---|---|
| Male Unemployed | 39.29% |
| Female Unemployed | 36.69% |
| Female Employed | 9.61% |
| Male Employed | 6.14% |
Households
Families
MarriedFamilies
NonFamilies
Name | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| Families | $103,051 | $127,154 |
| Households | $78,713 | $106,396 |
| Married Families | $125,598 | $-999,999,999 |
| Non Families | $42,662 | $58,931 |
mean
median
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
45.4%
Overall Marriage Rate
48.8%
Male Marriage Rate
42.4%
Female Marriage Rate
male
female
The age group where males are most likely to be married is 55-64, while the female age group most likely to be married is 55-64.
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
Second Gulf War
First Gulf War
Vietnam
Korea
World War II
3,171
Number of Veterans
2,948
Male Veterans
223
Female Veterans
War | Veterans |
|---|---|
| Vietnam | 1,297 |
| Second Gulf War | 552 |
| First Gulf War | 541 |
| Korea | 293 |
| World War II | 4 |
count
Age Group | Veterans |
|---|---|
| 75+ | 1,094 |
| 65 to 74 | 886 |
| 35 to 54 | 731 |
| 55 to 64 | 310 |
| 18 to 34 | 150 |
count
Name | Veterans | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Asian | 1,154 | 8.23% |
| White | 986 | 13.82% |
| 2+ Races | 694 | 6.36% |
| Islander | 281 | 5.22% |
| Hispanic | 113 | 3.65% |
| Other Race | 27 | 6.59% |
| Black | 25 | 6.81% |
| Native American | 4 | 12.9% |
Less Than 9th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Bachelors or Greater
5.37%
Veteran Poverty Rate
30.67%
Veteran Disability Rate
LaborForceParticipation
59.5%
Labor Force Participation
55%
Employment Rate
7.2%
Unemployment Rate
LaborForceParticipation
LaborForceParticipation
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Latin America
North America
Non citizens include legal permanent residents (green card holders), international students, temporary workers, humanitarian migrants, and illegal immigrants.
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Latin America
North America
72.63%
Born in Hilo
90.12%
Native Born
9.88%
Foreign Born
4.65%
Non Citizen
5.23%
Naturalized
90.12% of Hilo residents were born in the United States, with 72.63% having been born in Hawaii. 4.65% of residents are not US citizens. Of those not born in the United States, the largest percentage are from Asia.
Year | Population | Growth | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 48,354 | 363 | 0.76% |
| 2023 | 47,991 | 364 | 0.76% |
| 2022 | 47,627 | 1,068 | 2.29% |
| 2021 | 46,559 | 1,311 | 2.9% |
| 2020 | 45,248 | 192 | 0.43% |
| 2019 | 45,056 | -1,228 | -2.65% |
| 2018 | 46,284 | 581 | 1.27% |
| 2017 | 45,703 | 124 | 0.27% |
| 2016 | 45,579 | 199 | 0.44% |
| 2015 | 45,380 | 831 | 1.87% |
| 2014 | 44,549 | 63 | 0.14% |
| 2013 | 44,486 | -672 | -1.49% |
| 2012 | 45,158 | -1,436 | -3.08% |
| 2011 | 46,594 | 3,331 | 7.7% |
| 2010 | 43,263 | 0 | 0% |
| 2000 | 40,759 | 2,951 | 7.81% |
| 1990 | 37,808 | 2,539 | 7.2% |
| 1980 | 35,269 | 8,916 | 33.83% |
| 1970 | 26,353 | 387 | 1.49% |
| 1960 | 25,966 | -1,232 | -4.53% |
| 1950 | 27,198 | 3,845 | 16.46% |
| 1940 | 23,353 | 3,885 | 19.96% |
| 1930 | 19,468 | 9,037 | 86.64% |
| 1920 | 10,431 | 3,686 | 54.65% |
| 1910 | 6,745 | 2,245 | 49.89% |
| 1870 | 4,500 | -43,854 | -90.69% |