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Living in
Waimea (Hawaii County).
About
Life in Waimea (Hawaii County)
Waimea CDP (Hawaii County) is a community of 10,242 people in Hawaii. The median household income is $100,198, median rent runs about $1,867 per month, and median home values are around $677,400. Unemployment is low at 2.7%, suggesting a relatively healthy local job market.
Waimea (Hawaii County) at a Glance
Population, income, housing and more
Median Age
42.5 yrs
Poverty Rate
12.3%
Foreign-Born
9.7%
Broadband Internet
92.7%
of households
Population Growth
-14.0%
recent change · Census Bureau
Median household income
Demographics9.7% foreign-born, most often from Philippines
Who lives in Waimea (Hawaii County): race and ethnicity, ages, households, languages and countries of origin
In Waimea (Hawaii County), the largest foreign-born group is from Philippines (37.9%), and 22.8% of residents speak Other Asian/Pacific at home.
Under 18
22.8%
of residents
65 and Older
24.3%
of residents
Households with Kids
36.8%
anyone under 18
Living Alone
29.3%
of households
Married Couples
44.0%
of households
Avg Household Size
2.60
people
Race & Ethnicity
Hispanic or Latino of any race; other groups are non-Hispanic
Top countries of origin (foreign-born)
Languages Spoken at Home
Cost of Livingrent about average for HI
Rent, home values, and income in Waimea (Hawaii County)
In Waimea (Hawaii County), home values are 19% below the HI average.
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
Rent Burdened
35.0%
spending 30%+ of income on rent
Severely Rent Burdened
7.2%
spending 50%+
Median Property Tax
$1,782
per year, owner-occupied homes
Homeowners
73.0%
of occupied homes are owned
Typical Home Built
1994
median year built
Jobs & Economyunemployment about average for HI
Unemployment in Waimea (Hawaii County)
Unemployment in Hawaii County, which includes Waimea (Hawaii County), is close to the HI average.
Unemployment rate
Waimea (Hawaii County): Hawaii County rate (county-wide) · BLS annual average
Unemployment Rate — 10 Year Trend
Hawaii County (county-wide) · Annual averages
Waimea (Hawaii County) is about 5% of Hawaii County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
What Waimea (Hawaii County) Residents Do for Work · share of employed residents by industry
City residents, wherever they work
Commute27.1 min avg
How Waimea (Hawaii County) residents get to work, and the nearest airports
In Waimea (Hawaii County), most residents drive alone to work (67%), and 58% get there in under 30 minutes.
How People Get to Work
Commute Time Distribution
Nearest airports · with airline service
- 3 mi
Waimea Kohala Airport (MUE)
Regional airport · few flights4,129 passengers boarded in 2025
- 80 mi
Kahului International Airport (OGG)
Medium hub3.5M passengers boarded in 2025
Straight-line distance. Size is the FAA’s hub category, based on passenger traffic: regional airports may have only a few flights a day.
Safetyviolent crime 13% below national average
Crime rates for 2025
Violent crime in the area policed by the Hawaii Police Department, which covers Waimea (Hawaii County), runs 13% below the national average.
Violent Crime Rate
287.2
per 100,000 residents
Below average (329 national, 2025)
Property Crime Rate
1,924.2
per 100,000 residents
Above average (1,552 national, 2025)
Policed by Hawaii Police Department (county-wide rate)
Natural DisastersHeavy Rain most common — 14 events in 2025
Natural hazard risk, storms and earthquakes
FEMA National Risk Index
Relatively High
98.5 / 100
Compares expected losses from natural hazards, social vulnerability and community resilience against every US county (higher = more risk).
Hawaii County, county-wide · FEMA NRI December 2025
In Hawaii County, which includes Waimea (Hawaii County), the most common type is heavy rain, with 14 recorded events in 2025.
Most common events:
Storm events by year
| Year | Events | Top Type | Property Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 14 | Drought | $20,000 |
| 2024 | 26 | Drought | $9.1M |
| 2023 | 42 | Drought | $2,000 |
| 2022 | 56 | Drought | None reported |
| 2021 | 73 | Heavy Rain | None reported |
| 2020 | 45 | Heavy Rain | $2,000 |
| 2019 | 57 | Heavy Rain | $5,000 |
| 2018 | 69 | Heavy Rain | $7.1M |
Property damage is the National Weather Service's estimate filed with each event. “None reported” means the events were logged with $0 damage; “Not estimated” means no estimate was filed. Storms covering several counties aren't counted here, since NOAA doesn't split their damage by county.
299 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5+ within 100 miles in the past year
Hawaii County, county-wide
Waimea (Hawaii County) is about 5% of Hawaii County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
Air Quality32 median AQI — Good
Days by air quality category (2025)
Air quality in Hawaii County, which includes Waimea (Hawaii County), is typically good — 314 good-air days per year.
Median AQI
32
Good Days
314
per year
Moderate Days
51
per year
Unhealthy Days
0
per year
Hawaii County, county-wide
Waimea (Hawaii County) is about 5% of Hawaii County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
Climate88°F summers, 69°F winters
30-year climate averages (1991–2020) — monthly temperatures and precipitation
Waimea (Hawaii County) has warm summers (avg high 88°F) and warm winters (avg low 69°F).
Spring (Mar–May)
85°/71°F
avg high / low
Summer (Jun–Aug)
88°/75°F
avg high / low
Fall (Sep–Nov)
87°/74°F
avg high / low
Winter (Dec–Feb)
83°/69°F
avg high / low
Annual Precipitation
60.1"
Annual Snowfall
0.0"
Rainy Days/Year
264
Average month
Show month-by-month table ↓Hide table ↑
| Month | High | Low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 82°F | 68°F | 1.52" |
| Feb | 83°F | 68°F | 0.71" |
| Mar | 84°F | 70°F | 0.92" |
| Apr | 85°F | 71°F | 0.36" |
| May | 86°F | 72°F | 0.54" |
| Jun | 87°F | 74°F | 0.63" |
| Jul | 88°F | 75°F | 0.21" |
| Aug | 89°F | 75°F | 0.80" |
| Sep | 88°F | 75°F | 0.64" |
| Oct | 87°F | 74°F | 0.75" |
| Nov | 86°F | 73°F | 0.68" |
| Dec | 84°F | 70°F | 1.21" |
Healthcare1 hospital, avg 3.0/5
Hospitals, ratings, and health insurance in Waimea (Hawaii County)
Waimea (Hawaii County) has 1 hospital, averaging 3.0 out of 5 on CMS's quality rating.
Hospitals
1
within city limits
Uninsured
4.2%
of residents
Avg Hospital Rating
3.0 / 5
North Hawaii Community Hospital, Inc.
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available
Nearby hospitals · within 15 miles
Honoka'a Hospital and Skilled Nursing
Critical Access Hospitals · ER available · 11 mi away · Honokaa
Adult Health · vs. the typical US place
Share of adults. Modeled estimates, not counted cases. “US” = the typical US place.
Medicare-certified hospitals only. Doesn’t include clinics, urgent care, or freestanding ERs.
Education12.1:1 student/teacher ratio
Schools and degree attainment in Waimea (Hawaii County)
Waimea (Hawaii County)'s student/teacher ratio is 12.1:1 (lower than the national average of 16:1), and 41.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Public Schools
3
within city limits
Private Schools
4
within city limits
College Degree Rate
41.6%
adults 25+ with bachelor's or higher
Student/Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
National avg 16:1
Schools located within city limits (2023) — school-level metrics change slowly year to year
Parks & Recreationclosest: Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site, 13 mi
Nearby national parks, recreation areas and public libraries for Waimea (Hawaii County)
Waimea (Hawaii County) has 6 nearby national parks or recreation areas, closest being Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site (13 mi away).
Nearby National Parks & Recreation Areas
Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
National Historic Site
13 mi awayKaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park
National Historical Park
35 mi awayPuʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
National Historical Park
45 mi awayHawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
National Park
48 mi awayHaleakalā National Park
National Park
59 mi awayAla Kahakai National Historic Trail
National Historic Trail
62 mi awayPublic Libraries in Waimea (Hawaii County)
Thelma Parker Memorial Public And School Libr
67-1209 Mamalahoa Highway, Kamuela
Cities Near Waimea (Hawaii County)
The closest cities within 60 miles
Planning a move to Waimea (Hawaii County)?
Read our full moving guide — what it's really like to live here.
Waimea (Hawaii County) FAQ
Is Waimea (Hawaii County), Hawaii affordable?⌄
Waimea (Hawaii County)'s median rent is $1,867/month, which is above the national average. The median household income is $100,198/year. Median home value is $677,400.
Is Waimea (Hawaii County), Hawaii safe?⌄
Waimea (Hawaii County) is policed by the Hawaii Police Department, whose violent crime rate across its service area was 287 per 100,000 residents in 2025, which is below the national average of 329/100k that year. Property crime rate is 1924 per 100,000. As with any city, crime rates vary by neighborhood.
What is the job market like in Waimea (Hawaii County), Hawaii?⌄
Hawaii County, which includes Waimea (Hawaii County), has an unemployment rate of 2.7%, which is strong — well below the national average of 4.3%.
What is the cost of living in Waimea (Hawaii County), Hawaii?⌄
The cost of living in Waimea (Hawaii County) is primarily driven by housing. Median rent is $1,867/month and median household income is $100,198/year. The median home value is $677,400. About 35% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
How is the commute in Waimea (Hawaii County), Hawaii?⌄
The average commute in Waimea (Hawaii County) is 27 minutes, which is about average compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Data from the US Census Bureau, BLS, FBI, NOAA, EPA, Zillow Research and other public sources. Where our data comes from