HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2013-2017 AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY 5-YEAR DATA FOR HAWAII

News Release from DBEDT, Dec 6, 2018

The U.S. Census Bureau released its 2013-2017 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates on December 6, 2018. During the 2013-2017 period, the Census Bureau surveyed a total of 47,719 households in Hawaii, an average of 9,544 households per year. Nine percent of Hawaii’s population were surveyed between this 2013 to 2017 period.

Data for smaller areas such as census tracts are only available from the 5-year dataset. Compared to the 2012-2016 fiveyear dataset, there were modifications to multiple health insurance tables, including a change to the classification of the age group for children; the category now includes age 18. For health insurance tables relating to employment and work experience, the working age population is now defined as ages 19 to 64. The 2013-2017 ACS dataset also includes new tables on computer and internet usage.

Comparative data for the 2008-2012 period and the 2013-2017 period are available from American Fact Finder on the Census Bureau’s website. The tables include information about whether any of the differences between the two periods were statistical significance. Caution must be taken when studying an area, however, as area boundaries may have changed between the two time periods being studied.

Selected small area rankings

The following analyses were based upon the ranking of the 316 census tracts in Hawaii which had a population. The numbers presented below are averages over the 2013-2017 time period. Tables included in these highlights display only the 20 top ranking census tracts. For the complete list and for the margin of errors, see the accompanying Excel data file.

Average household size. Seven areas in Hawaii had an average household size of 5 or more people. They were located in West Oahu (Managers Drive, Robinson Heights, August Ahrens School, Campbell High School) and the urban Honolulu area (Gulick Avenue-Likelike, Umi Street, Kalihi Waena). All twenty of the top areas were on Oahu. (Table 1)

Lahainaluna (Census tract 314.05) had the largest average household size on the island of Maui at 4.20. Puhi-Hanama'ulu (Census tract 404) had the largest average household size on Kauai at 4.10. Kealakehe (Census tract 215.04) had the largest average household size on the island of Hawaii at 3.82.

Median household income. Four areas had a median household income over $150,000. They were Waialae Iki, Waiawa, Portlock, Waialae Nui Ridge-Ainakoa. Twelve additional areas had a median household income over $125,000. They are located on the leeward side of Oahu (Kahe, Mililani: Ainamakua Drive, August Ahrens School, Mililani Mauka Middle School, Mililani Town Center), the Urban Honolulu area (Diamond Head), the Windward side of Oahu (Maunawili, Kalaheo Avenue, Kalaheo Hillside), and East Oahu (Aina Haina-Hawaii Loa Ridge, Waialae-Kahala, Wailupe). (Table 2)

On the island of Maui, the highest median household income was $100,117 in Waihee-Waikapu (Census tract 308). On Kauai, the highest median household income was $82,467 in Eleele-Kalaheo (Census tract 407). On the island of Hawaii, the highest median household income was $77,424 in Hilo: Kahuku-Kaumana (Census tract 208.01).

Civilian unemployment rate. Three areas had a civilian unemployment rate over 20%-- Kahauiki Street in the urban Honolulu area, Menoher Street in the Schofield Barracks area on Oahu, and Pahoa on Hawaii. Six additional areas had a civilian unemployment rate above 15%. They were located on the leeward side of Oahu (Waianae Kai and Makaha), the urban Honolulu area (Mayor Wright Housing, Linapuni Street), the Schofield Barracks area (Kolekole Avenue) and Maui (West Central Wailuku). (Table 3)

The highest civilian unemployment rate on Kauai was in Ha'ena-Hanalei (Census tract 401.04) at 9.6%.

Owner-occupancy rate. In Pacific Palisades, more than 95% of housing units occupied were by owners, rather than by renters. Eight other locations had an owner-occupancy rate of over 90%. They were located in West Oahu (Robinson Heights, Waipio), East Oahu (Waialae Iki, Aina Haina-Hawaii Loa Ridge, Kalama Valley, Wailupe, Lunalilo Park Subdivision), and the urban Honolulu area (Ala Lilikoi). Hilo: Kawailani had the highest rate of owner-occupied housing units, 85.6%, on the island of Hawaii. It was the only location in the top 20 not on Oahu. (Table 4)

Waihee-Waikapu (Census tract 308) had the highest rate of owner-occupied units, 82.8%, on the island of Maui. Anahola (Census tract 9400) had the highest rate, 81.7%, on Kauai.

Median owner-occupied housing unit values. Diamond Head was the only area in Hawaii which had a median housing value of $2 million or more. Fifteen other areas had median values between $1 and $1.9 million. They were located in the East Oahu area (Waialae-Kahala, Portlock, Waialae Iki, Aina Haina-Hawaii Loa Ridge), the urban Honolulu area (Judd Hillside-Lowrey Avenue, Round Top-Tantalus, Upper Manoa, East Manoa, Makiki Heights), the Windward side of Oahu (Lanikai and Kalaheo Avenue), the North Shore of Oahu (Kawailoa and Waimea-Kahuku) and the island of Maui (Wailea and Honokowai). (Table 5)

Ha'ena-Hanalei (Census tract 401.04) had the highest median housing value on Kauai at $913,200. Hualalai (Census tract 215.02) had the highest median housing value on the island of Hawaii at $653,700.

PDF: Full Report and Tables

CB:  Census: The Gap Between Rich And Poor In Hawaii Is Growing