| City: | Eleele, Hawaii |
| County: | Kauai County |
| Timezone: | Hawaii-Aleutian Islands (GMT -10:00) |
| Local Time: | 8:05:19 AM |
| Population: | 2,536 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 808 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 21.9061, -159.5465 |
| Land Area: | 3.363 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Eleele sits on Kauai's southwestern coast, a community of 2,536 residents where PO Boxes are the only mail delivery option. This is a PO Box Only Zone. There's no street delivery across the 2.4 square miles of territory. The Eleele post office maintains 1,127 PO Boxes for 761 households, a 148% adoption rate that shows the facility serves both local residents and surrounding areas without carrier routes.
The community has a distinctly Hawaiian character. Street names like Aewa Street, Waialo Road, Iluna Street, and Laulea Street preserve the island's language and heritage. Of the 2,536 residents, 56% are Asian, 27% identify as two or more races, and 12% are Hispanic. This diversity is typical of Kauai's west side, where plantation-era immigration created multicultural communities.
With a median household income of $120,577 and median home values of $684,900, Eleele is more affluent than many rural Hawaiian communities. Some 70% of residents were born in the United States. About 26% of workers carpool to their jobs, reflecting the rural character and limited public transit options on Kauai's west side.
Mail delivery uses two rural carrier routes covering the area. The post office serves as a central gathering point for a community spread across coastal and agricultural lands. All mail must be addressed to a PO Box in Eleele, HI 96705.
All street names are Hawaiian, preserving the island's language and cultural heritage.
ZIP Code 96705 has 2,536 residents and 761 households (average 3.33 persons per household). The median age is 40.5 years, about the same as the state (40.8) and slightly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 48.3% male and 51.7% female, which is slightly lower than the state male share (50.0%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are Asian (55.6%, much higher than the state average of 37.2% and well above the national average of 6.0%) and Hispanic or Latino (10.3%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 10.3%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%), and Asian share is much higher than both the state (37.2%) and national averages (6.0%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 2,536Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 2,522Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 754.1 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $118,438Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 761Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $777,200Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 3.33Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 3.44Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 2,416 | 2,357 | 2,611 | 2,624 | 2,512 | 2,651 | 2,790 | 2,869 | 3,081 | 2,662 | 2,382 | 2,299 | 2,376 | 2,522 |
| Decennial Census | 2,319 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2,536 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 40.5
Male Median Age: 39.6
Female Median Age: 41.2
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 77 | 89 | 95 | 72 | 71 | 81 | 71 | 64 | 84 | 73 | 91 | 75 | 91 | 84 | 43 | 28 | 15 | 22 |
| Female | 64 | 97 | 104 | 65 | 75 | 69 | 67 | 91 | 81 | 80 | 78 | 101 | 100 | 79 | 61 | 32 | 31 | 35 |
| Total | 141 | 186 | 199 | 137 | 146 | 150 | 138 | 155 | 165 | 153 | 169 | 176 | 191 | 163 | 104 | 60 | 46 | 57 |
| White: | 248 | 11.70% |
| Black: | 5 | 0.24% |
| Hispanic:* | 262 | 12.36% |
| Asian: | 1,411 | 66.59% |
| American Indian: | 8 | 0.38% |
| Hawaiian: | 158 | 7.46% |
| Other: | 27 | 1.27% |
| Total: | 2,119 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 1,226 | 48.34% | 39.6 years |
| Females: | 1,310 | 51.66% | 41.2 years |
| Total: | 2,536 | 100% | 40.5 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 1,819 | 72.13% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 122 | 4.84% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 373 | 14.79% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 208 | 23.04% |
| Total Population: | 2,522 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 1,941 | 76.96% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 581 | 23.04% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $118,438, which is much higher than the national median ($80,734), is up $47,718 (67.5%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $32,188. Family households earn a median of $124,188 versus $59,231 for nonfamily households (a difference of $64,957). By gender, male median income is $61,351 and female is $51,467, which is lower than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $9,884 that has widened from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 73.7%, which is far greater than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Service (39.7%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $70,720 | $73,810 | $69,777 | $73,229 | $68,359 | $72,500 | $75,938 | $79,000 | $86,250 | $89,531 | $92,083 | $103,409 | $120,577 | $118,438 |
| Median Family Income | $80,972 | $80,592 | $69,861 | $76,316 | $71,471 | $80,227 | $83,188 | $89,886 | $107,500 | $108,472 | $107,083 | $117,321 | $136,250 | $124,188 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $28,365 | $19,583 | $35,125 | $33,750 | $35,139 | $31,250 | $25,417 | $36,042 | $40,385 | $49,545 | $65,500 | $72,250 | $59,537 | $59,231 |
| Median Male Income | $38,958 | $38,929 | $38,780 | $39,612 | $42,443 | $45,508 | $45,995 | $47,634 | $51,380 | $50,673 | $53,777 | $57,976 | $59,738 | $61,351 |
| Median Female Income | $35,275 | $35,714 | $33,667 | $36,302 | $36,875 | $36,250 | $36,800 | $36,944 | $39,034 | $38,963 | $44,205 | $48,586 | $52,034 | $51,467 |
| Employed: | 1,462 | 71.56% |
| Unemployed: | 40 | 1.96% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 541 | 26.48% |
| Total: | 2,043 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 333 | 22.78% |
| Service: | 580 | 39.67% |
| Sales and Office: | 285 | 19.49% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 145 | 9.92% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 119 | 8.14% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 1,462 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $777,200, which is much higher than the national median ($332,700), is up $330,700 (74.06%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $331,200. The median gross rent is $1,244, which is generally lower than the national median ($1,413), is up $626 (101.29%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $72. Of occupied housing, owners make up 72.04% (73.66% with a mortgage, 26.34% free-and-clear) and renters 27.96% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 5.14%, which is far lower than the national rate (10.12%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $446,500 | $412,200 | $402,100 | $394,000 | $387,300 | $400,300 | $414,200 | $426,300 | $446,000 | $466,600 | $492,200 | $630,700 | $684,900 | $777,200 |
| Less than $500: | 37 | 18.88% |
| $500 to $999: | 30 | 15.31% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 25 | 12.76% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 40 | 20.41% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 35 | 17.86% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 6 | 3.06% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 23 | 11.73% |
| Total: | 196 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $618 | $950 | $842 | $1,193 | $1,183 | $1,118 | $1,160 | $1,337 | $1,316 | $1,411 | $1,375 | $1,514 | $1,503 | $1,244 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 372 | 53.07% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 133 | 18.97% |
| Renter Occupied: | 196 | 27.96% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 701 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 701 | 94.86% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 38 | 5.14% |
| Total Housing Units: | 739 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 648 | 87.69% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 86 | 11.64% |
| Other Units: | 5 | 0.68% |
| Total Housing Units: | 739 | 100% |
In 2024, 17.80% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far lower than the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 91.80%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 2.60%, which is far lower than the national rate (8.40%). The share of people in poverty is 3.70%, which is far lower than the national rate (8.80%), down 2.00 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 1.50 percentage points. This suggests a positive shift in the local economic and social landscape - higher incomes, steadier consumer demand, and a strengthening tax base. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (34.87%). College enrollment is 30.77%, which is comparable to the national rate (26.70%), meaning the community mirrors broader higher-education participation.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 57 | 3.24% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 88 | 5.01% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 614 | 34.93% |
| Some college, no degree: | 355 | 20.19% |
| Associate's degree: | 331 | 18.83% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 190 | 10.81% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 123 | 7.00% |
| Total: | 1,758 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 1,613 | 91.75% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 313 | 17.80% |
| Private Insurance: | 1,885 | 68.55% |
| Public Insurance: | 799 | 29.05% |
| No Insurance: | 66 | 2.40% |
| Total: | 2,750 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 2,684 | 97.60% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 7.2% | 10.5% | 13.2% | 9.8% | 8.1% | 5.4% | 4.2% | 5.1% | 6.7% | 6.7% | 8.9% | 7.9% | 5.2% | 3.7% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 60 | 10.26% |
| Kindergarten: | 10 | 1.71% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 204 | 34.87% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 131 | 22.39% |
| College or graduate school: | 180 | 30.77% |
| Total: | 585 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 70 | 11.97% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 345 | 58.97% |
ZIP Code 96705 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 41 business establishments, employing about 678 people with an annual payroll of $36,282,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 2,054Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 41Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $9,041,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $36,282,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 678Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 96705 is located in Kauai County, Hawaii, within the Kapaa, HI Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 28180) and Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District. This Micro area has a population of 67,091 people, about 3.78% of whom live in ZIP Code 96705. It covers 3.363 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.494 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Kapaa, HISource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 28180Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MicroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 67,091Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 3.363 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.494 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 02Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 6213.4 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 1507000Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Eleele CDP; HawaiiSource: Census |
ZIP Code 96705 is in the Hawaii Department of Education, which serves grades Kindergarten thru 12th. There are 1 public school(s) in this ZIP Code, and we have located 3 private school(s). It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on February 1, 2026.