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Population Review

Census ACS · #234 μSA

Hilo Metro Area

The Hilo-Kailua, Hi Micropolitan Statistical Area has 203,684 residents. The median household income is $77,215 and the median home value is $486,400.

203,684

Population

51

People / sq mi

$77,215

Median Income

$486,400

Median Home Value

The Hilo CBSA covers 4,028 sq mi of land at 50.6 people per square mile.

Race & Ethnicity

White31.1%
Black or African American0.8%
Asian0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)4.0%

Economy & Income

$77,215

Median Household Income

$38,406

Per Capita Income

10.8%

Poverty Rate

3.5%

Unemployment

Housing

$486,400

Median Home Value

$1,411

Median Rent

73.1%

Homeownership

Education

93.1%

High School+

30.9%

Bachelor's+

Commute

0.8%

Drive Alone

10.9%

Work From Home

27.7 min

Avg Commute

30.7%

Foreign Born

Hilo spans this state

Nearby metros

Largest cities in Hawaii

Largest counties in Hawaii

Part of Hawaii

Other metros

Metro areas in Hawaii

Metro rankings

Frequently Asked Questions

The Hilo-Kailua, Hi Micropolitan Statistical Area has a population of 203,684 according to Census ACS 5-Year estimates, making it the #234 largest CBSA in the US.

The median household income in the Hilo metro area is $77,215, with a per capita income of $38,406.

The Hilo-Kailua, Hi CBSA spans the state of Hawaii.

Where to stay near Hilo

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Data for the Hilo-Kailua, Hi CBSA (25900) from the American Community Survey 5-Year estimates. Core-Based Statistical Areas combine cities, suburbs, and surrounding counties tied together by commuting patterns.

Housing cost is the defining feature of Hilo: the median home is valued at $486,400. Hilo is a metro area in HI with a population of 203,684.

Median household income is $77,215, near the US median of $78,538. About 10.8% of residents live below the federal poverty level, below the national 12.4%. Real estate commands a premium here — a median home value of $486,400, with typical rent around $1,411.

Educational attainment is on the higher side for US metro areas — 30.9% of adults hold a four-year degree, below the national 35.0%.

High housing values reframe the income picture in Hilo — even solid earnings stretch less against home prices and rents at this level.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.