| City: | Waikoloa, Hawaii |
| County: | Hawaii County |
| Timezone: | Hawaii-Aleutian Islands (GMT -10:00) |
| Local Time: | 7:27:18 PM |
| Population: | 7,447 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 808 |
| Classification: | Standard [Normal Street Delivery] |
| Coordinates: | 19.9353, -155.8137 |
| Land Area: | 79.848 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
ZIP Code 96738 has 7,447 residents and 2,784 households (average 2.67 persons per household). The median age is 43.9 years, older than the state (40.8) and older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 50.2% male and 49.8% female, which is slightly higher than the national male share (49.1%). Largest groups are White (44.8%, much higher than the state average of 22.9% and well below the national average of 61.6%) and Asian (16.1%, much lower than the state average of 37.2% and well above the national average of 6.0%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 10.0%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%), and Asian share is much higher than the national average (6.0%) and Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander share is much higher than the national average (0.2%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 7,447Source: Census DHC |
| 2023 ACS Population Estimate: | 7,407Source: Census ACS |
| 2025 ZC Population Estimate: | 8,180Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 93.3 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $90,545Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 2,784Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $686,700Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.67Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.84Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 6,667 | 6,353 | 6,785 | 7,070 | 6,619 | 6,593 | 6,333 | 6,728 | 7,001 | 7,793 | 7,899 | 7,797 | 7,407 |
| Decennial Census | 6,609 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 7,447 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 43.9
Male Median Age: 42.8
Female Median Age: 45.5
| 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 | 219 | 280 | 225 | 220 | 135 | 184 | 222 | 250 | 233 | 203 | 264 | 263 | 313 | 320 | 214 | 121 | 43 | 27 |
| Female | 191 | 237 | 264 | 171 | 115 | 168 | 237 | 247 | 198 | 254 | 270 | 300 | 333 | 323 | 211 | 101 | 64 | 27 |
| Total | 410 | 517 | 489 | 391 | 250 | 352 | 459 | 497 | 431 | 457 | 534 | 563 | 646 | 643 | 425 | 222 | 107 | 54 |
| White: | 3,338 | 52.13% |
| Black: | 38 | 0.59% |
| Hispanic:* | 746 | 11.65% |
| Asian: | 1,197 | 18.69% |
| American Indian: | 43 | 0.67% |
| Hawaiian: | 868 | 13.56% |
| Other: | 173 | 2.70% |
| Total: | 6,403 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 3,736 | 50.17% | 42.8 years |
| Females: | 3,711 | 49.83% | 45.5 years |
| Total: | 7,447 | 100% | 43.9 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 5,921 | 79.94% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 160 | 2.16% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 469 | 6.33% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 857 | 17.90% |
| Total Population: | 7,407 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 6,081 | 82.10% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 1,326 | 17.90% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $90,545, which is markedly greater than the national median ($78,538), is up $16,478 (22.2%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $15,676. Family households earn a median of $94,816 versus $73,333 for nonfamily households (a difference of $21,483). By gender, male median income is $62,226 and female is $49,485, which is far less than the state female median ($55,345), with a current gap of $12,741 that has widened from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 61.0%, which is falls short of the state rate (64.0%). The unemployment rate is 10.1%, which is markedly higher than the state rate (4.7%). The largest occupation group is Management (33.4%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $74,067 | $74,046 | $73,285 | $76,982 | $74,747 | $76,875 | $73,952 | $73,891 | $74,869 | $77,577 | $84,063 | $97,083 | $90,545 |
| Median Family Income | $75,988 | $77,353 | $74,824 | $76,006 | $76,378 | $82,531 | $82,883 | $86,076 | $88,705 | $90,886 | $96,583 | $105,167 | $94,816 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $59,946 | $67,450 | $64,063 | $72,750 | $61,852 | $60,062 | $58,346 | $54,659 | $52,288 | $53,285 | $54,674 | $60,500 | $73,333 |
| Median Male Income | $51,546 | $52,211 | $53,576 | $54,710 | $0 | $60,121 | $55,232 | $54,674 | $56,125 | $51,257 | $54,913 | $60,393 | $62,226 |
| Median Female Income | $41,616 | $38,750 | $38,175 | $40,222 | $0 | $37,926 | $45,404 | $47,036 | $45,152 | $45,219 | $44,000 | $39,786 | $49,485 |
| Employed: | 3,350 | 54.84% |
| Unemployed: | 375 | 6.14% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 2,384 | 39.02% |
| Total: | 6,109 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 1,118 | 33.37% |
| Service: | 1,091 | 32.57% |
| Sales and Office: | 630 | 18.81% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 304 | 9.07% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 207 | 6.18% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 3,350 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $686,700, which is far above the national median ($303,400), is up $247,100 (56.21%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $245,700. The median gross rent is $2,251, which is far above the national median ($1,348), is up $684 (43.65%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $686. Of occupied housing, owners make up 78.44% (61.31% with a mortgage, 38.69% free-and-clear) and renters 21.56% - making this ZIP Code more home ownership than the state and under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 43.28%, which is considerably higher than the national rate (10.43%).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $439,600 | $414,800 | $387,800 | $387,400 | $388,000 | $381,000 | $410,100 | $434,500 | $441,000 | $476,200 | $521,100 | $627,000 | $686,700 |
| Less than $500: | 18 | 3.10% |
| $500 to $999: | 110 | 18.93% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 33 | 5.68% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 16 | 2.75% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 181 | 31.15% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 112 | 19.28% |
| $3,000 or more: | 66 | 11.36% |
| No Rent: | 45 | 7.75% |
| Total: | 581 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $1,567 | $1,570 | $1,601 | $1,478 | $1,455 | $1,466 | $1,429 | $1,438 | $1,565 | $1,628 | $1,725 | $1,722 | $2,251 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 1,296 | 48.09% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 818 | 30.35% |
| Renter Occupied: | 581 | 21.56% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 2,695 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 2,695 | 56.72% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 2,056 | 43.28% |
| Total Housing Units: | 4,751 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 2,285 | 48.10% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 2,466 | 51.90% |
| Other Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 4,751 | 100% |
In 2023, 35.70% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is comparable to the national rate (35.00%). High school or higher is 95.50%, which is far higher than the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 4.30%, which is far lower than the national rate (8.60%). The share of people in poverty is 7.10%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.70%), up 1.10 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 0.30 percentage points. This points to rising hardship - a weaker consumer base, greater strain on public services, and job-market headwinds. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (47.65%). College enrollment is 12.16%, which is markedly below the state rate (27.30%), indicating the community may be more oriented toward vocational/trade or direct-to-workforce opportunities.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 35 | 0.63% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 212 | 3.84% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 1,275 | 23.12% |
| Some college, no degree: | 1,305 | 23.66% |
| Associate's degree: | 718 | 13.02% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 1,216 | 22.05% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 754 | 13.67% |
| Total: | 5,515 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 5,268 | 95.52% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 1,970 | 35.72% |
| Private Insurance: | 5,032 | 58.66% |
| Public Insurance: | 3,224 | 37.58% |
| No Insurance: | 322 | 3.75% |
| Total: | 8,578 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 8,256 | 96.25% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 6.0% | 4.7% | 5.0% | 5.5% | 5.3% | 5.3% | 6.6% | 7.2% | 6.8% | 6.5% | 5.8% | 9.7% | 7.1% |
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: | 152 | 11.70% |
| Kindergarten: | 66 | 5.08% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 619 | 47.65% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 304 | 23.40% |
| College or graduate school: | 158 | 12.16% |
| Total: | 1,299 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 218 | 16.78% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 989 | 76.14% |
ZIP Code 96738 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2023), there are 226 business establishments, employing about 2,941 people with an annual payroll of $160,779,000. USPS data shows 3,064 residential mailboxes and 173 business mailboxes, reflecting local delivery coverage.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 3,064Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 173Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 4,530Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 1,516Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 1,021Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 226Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $41,432,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $160,779,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 2,941Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 96738 is located in Hawaii County, Hawaii, within the Hilo-Kailua, HI Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 25900) and Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District. This Micro area has a population of 203,684 people, about 3.66% of whom live in ZIP Code 96738. It covers 79.848 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.442 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Hilo-Kailua, HISource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 25900Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MicroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 203,684Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 79.848 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.442 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: | --Source: Census |
| Place Name: | --Source: Census |
ZIP Code 96738 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 October 1, 2025.