| City: | Laupahoehoe, Hawaii |
| County: | Hawaii County |
| Timezone: | Hawaii-Aleutian Islands (GMT -10:00) |
| Local Time: | 8:06:01 AM |
| Population: | 649 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 808 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 19.9340, -155.2674 |
| Land Area: | 2.428 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Laupahoehoe sits on the remote Hamakua Coast of Hawaii's Big Island, where 649 residents live across 76 square miles of coastline and forested uplands. This isn't a tourist town. It's a small rural community where nearly half the workforce (49%) works from home, and the median age of 47.7 years suggests longtime residents who know the land.
The post office maintains 421 PO Boxes for 249 households. That's a 1.69 adoption rate, meaning the post office serves well beyond Laupahoehoe proper. Neighboring communities like Ninole, Papaaloa, Hakalau, and Ookala all lie within a few miles along the winding coastal highway. This is a PO Box Only Zone. There's no alternative mail delivery across this stretch of the Hamakua Coast.
Street names like Mamalahoa Highway and Hawaii Belt Road mark the historic routes that connect these isolated coastal settlements. The post office also handles rural delivery along roads like Puualaea Homestead Road and Laupahoehoe Road, serving scattered homes in the upland forests. Two rural routes cover the territory, but PO Boxes remain the primary means of receiving mail.
The population is diverse. Of 649 residents, 46% identify as White alone, 18% as Asian, and 25% as Two or More Races. That reflects Hawaii's complex history of sugar plantation immigration and Native Hawaiian heritage. Median household income stands at $72,917, supported by a mix of government work (51 workers in public administration), transportation jobs (132 workers), and the large cohort of remote workers. Median home values of $598,800 are typical for rural Hawaii, where isolation meets limited inventory.
All mail to Laupahoehoe requires either a PO Box address or uses rural route delivery. The standard format is:
[Name]
PO Box [Number]
Laupahoehoe, HI 96764For rural delivery:
[Name]
[Street Address]
Laupahoehoe, HI 96764Street names reflect historic coastal highways connecting isolated Hamakua Coast settlements and upland homestead roads.
ZIP Code 96764 has 649 residents and 249 households (average 2.61 persons per household). The median age is 47.7 years, older than the state (40.8) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 49.5% male and 50.5% female, which is about the same as the state male share (50.0%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are White (46.4%, much higher than the state average of 22.9% and well below the national average of 61.6%) and Asian (17.7%, much lower than the state average of 37.2% and well above the national average of 6.0%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 11.9%, which is lower than the national average (18.7%), and Asian share is much higher than the national average (6.0%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 649Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 516Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 267.3 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $55,769Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 249Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $610,500Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.61Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.97Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 787 | 844 | 743 | 635 | 626 | 685 | 665 | 592 | 609 | 684 | 533 | 495 | 570 | 516 |
| Decennial Census | 799 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 649 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 47.7
Male Median Age: 54.1
Female Median Age: 45.6
| 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 | 17 | 29 | 15 | 11 | 5 | 18 | 7 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 9 | 41 | 41 | 36 | 19 | 12 | 3 | 4 |
| Female | 13 | 20 | 26 | 10 | 7 | 11 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 17 | 22 | 23 | 26 | 28 | 19 | 13 | 9 | 12 |
| Total | 30 | 49 | 41 | 21 | 12 | 29 | 29 | 44 | 44 | 33 | 31 | 64 | 67 | 64 | 38 | 25 | 12 | 16 |
| White: | 301 | 53.65% |
| Black: | 5 | 0.89% |
| Hispanic:* | 77 | 13.73% |
| Asian: | 115 | 20.50% |
| American Indian: | 4 | 0.71% |
| Hawaiian: | 53 | 9.45% |
| Other: | 6 | 1.07% |
| Total: | 561 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 321 | 49.46% | 54.1 years |
| Females: | 328 | 50.54% | 45.6 years |
| Total: | 649 | 100% | 47.7 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 407 | 78.88% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 59 | 11.43% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 50 | 21.12% |
| Total Population: | 516 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 407 | 78.88% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 109 | 21.12% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $55,769, which is well under the national median ($80,734), is down $22,445 (28.7%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $9,231. Family households earn a median of $45,294 versus $70,938 for nonfamily households (a difference of $25,644). By gender, male median income is $78,125 and female is $53,839, which is trails just behind the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $24,286 that has widened from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 49.5%, which is much lower than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 17.0%, which is far worse than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Production (24.1%).
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 | $78,214 | $81,917 | $65,625 | $45,000 | $55,208 | $51,953 | $49,583 | $53,553 | $65,000 | $60,250 | $62,833 | $70,294 | $72,917 | $55,769 |
| Median Family Income | $81,250 | $93,333 | $80,147 | $57,813 | $63,571 | $65,208 | $60,875 | $65,469 | $71,500 | $75,625 | $75,000 | $81,250 | $72,813 | $45,294 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $45,000 | $34,107 | $34,286 | $14,336 | $0 | $0 | $30,714 | $41,750 | $51,786 | $53,403 | $0 | $65,096 | $73,036 | $70,938 |
| Median Male Income | $52,273 | $52,768 | $51,853 | $51,823 | $51,087 | $53,088 | $50,331 | $52,798 | $52,917 | $53,194 | $49,000 | $73,000 | $52,250 | $78,125 |
| Median Female Income | $45,383 | $45,673 | $42,619 | $35,500 | $43,676 | $41,953 | $39,167 | $40,417 | $44,808 | $43,958 | $38,500 | $52,321 | $58,618 | $53,839 |
| Employed: | 191 | 41.08% |
| Unemployed: | 39 | 8.39% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 235 | 50.54% |
| Total: | 465 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 32 | 16.75% |
| Service: | 45 | 23.56% |
| Sales and Office: | 29 | 15.18% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 39 | 20.42% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 46 | 24.08% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 191 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $610,500, which is considerably higher than the national median ($332,700), is up $222,300 (57.26%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $130,800. The median gross rent is $1,313, which is generally lower than the national median ($1,413), is up $556 (73.45%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $219. Of occupied housing, owners make up 68.18% (43.33% with a mortgage, 56.67% free-and-clear) and renters 31.82% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 23.34%, which is much higher 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 | $388,200 | $315,000 | $269,400 | $269,300 | $346,900 | $430,800 | $440,300 | $433,300 | $479,700 | $463,200 | $424,400 | $568,000 | $598,800 | $610,500 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 40 | 57.14% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 6 | 8.57% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 13 | 18.57% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 11 | 15.71% |
| Total: | 70 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $757 | $779 | $830 | $852 | $810 | $857 | $850 | $1,025 | $1,094 | $1,096 | $884 | $1,104 | $1,324 | $1,313 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 65 | 29.55% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 85 | 38.64% |
| Renter Occupied: | 70 | 31.82% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 220 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 220 | 76.66% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 67 | 23.34% |
| Total Housing Units: | 287 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 287 | 100.00% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Other Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 287 | 100% |
In 2024, 31.60% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is comparable to the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 88.40%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 16.10%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.40%). The share of people in poverty is 21.80%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), up 13.40 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 14.10 percentage points. This signals a sharp increase in hardship - a shrinking consumer base, heavy pressure on public services, and job-market contraction risks. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is kindergarten (34.88%). College enrollment is 25.58%, 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: | 36 | 8.55% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 13 | 3.09% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 143 | 33.97% |
| Some college, no degree: | 47 | 11.16% |
| Associate's degree: | 49 | 11.64% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 83 | 19.71% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 50 | 11.88% |
| Total: | 421 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 372 | 88.36% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 133 | 31.59% |
| Private Insurance: | 310 | 49.60% |
| Public Insurance: | 232 | 37.12% |
| No Insurance: | 83 | 13.28% |
| Total: | 625 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 542 | 86.72% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 6.4% | 7.2% | 7.9% | 7.7% | 1.3% | 5.8% | 8.0% | 9.5% | 5.7% | 7.7% | 4.8% | 11.8% | 19.8% | 21.8% |
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: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Kindergarten: | 15 | 34.88% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 8 | 18.60% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 9 | 20.93% |
| College or graduate school: | 11 | 25.58% |
| Total: | 43 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 15 | 34.88% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 32 | 74.42% |
ZIP Code 96764 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 8 business establishments, employing about 84 people with an annual payroll of $3,209,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 427Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 8Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $807,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $3,209,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 84Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 96764 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 185,079 people, about 0.35% of whom live in ZIP Code 96764. It covers 2.428 sq mi of land and a water area of 3.084 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Hilo-Kailua, HISource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 25900Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MicroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 185,079Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 2.428 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 3.084 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: | 1544150Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Laupahoehoe CDP; HawaiiSource: Census |
ZIP Code 96764 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.