Population 36,743 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Kalihi-Palama
Household size in Kalihi-Palama
| Period | Kalihi-Palama | Honolulu area | Hawaii | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.89 | 3.21 | 3.12 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 4.08 | 3.29 | 3.20 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.89 | 3.26 | 3.18 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.93 | 3.10 | 3.06 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.04 | −0.11 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
Kalihi-Palama is a place of big households: 3.93 people per home on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. Numbers like that usually point to plenty of families with kids. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 3.89, even as the national average fell. Only one other Honolulu neighborhood has larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Kalihi-Palama
| Period | Kalihi-Palama | Honolulu area | Hawaii | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.0 | 38.5 | 39.1 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 36.0 | 39.2 | 39.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 37.9 | 40.2 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.5 | 41.5 | 42.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.5 | +3.0 | +3.2 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in Kalihi-Palama are younger than 39.5 and half are older, close to the national median of 40.1. The population here is younger than in the Honolulu area overall, where the median age is 41.5. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 38.0, as it has nationally. Only two of Honolulu's 18 neighborhoods are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Kalihi-Palama
| Period | Kalihi-Palama | Honolulu area | Hawaii | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.4% | 11.4% | 11.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.8% | 10.8% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 18.3% | 10.0% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 18.1% | 10.9% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.3 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in six households in Kalihi-Palama (18.1%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Only one other Honolulu neighborhood has a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Kalihi-Palama
Renters in Kalihi-Palama
| Period | Kalihi-Palama | Honolulu area | Hawaii | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 66.8% | 42.4% | 40.7% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 73.8% | 45.1% | 42.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 71.0% | 43.8% | 41.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 66.9% | 40.2% | 37.0% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.0 pts | −2.2 pts | −3.7 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Kalihi-Palama rent: 66.9% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 40.0% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. Only two of Honolulu's 18 neighborhoods have a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Kalihi-Palama
| Period | Kalihi-Palama | Honolulu area | Hawaii | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.3% | 9.1% | 11.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 6.1% | 8.2% | 11.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.3% | 9.1% | 11.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.8% | 8.9% | 10.8% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.5 pts | −0.2 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in Kalihi-Palama as nationally: 8.8%, against 9.6%. Vacancy is little changed from 2006–10, while the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Kalihi-Palama
| Period | Kalihi-Palama | Honolulu area | Hawaii | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1966 | 1975 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1967 | 1976 | 1978 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1968 | 1977 | 1979 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1970 | 1979 | 1981 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in Kalihi-Palama is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1970, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1966 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Kalihi-Palama
| Period | Kalihi-Palama | Honolulu area | Hawaii | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $937 | $1,466 | $1,393 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,017 | $1,594 | $1,482 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,249 | $2,010 | $1,829 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,466 | $2,359 | $2,199 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$528 | +$894 | +$806 | +$606 |
Rent in Kalihi-Palama runs $1,466 a month at the median, utilities included, below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $528 a month since 2006–10, up 56%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 25.7% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Kalihi-Palama has the lowest rents of any Honolulu neighborhood.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Kalihi-Palama
Bachelor's degrees in Kalihi-Palama
| Period | Kalihi-Palama | Honolulu area | Hawaii | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.8% | 30.4% | 28.9% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.4% | 31.6% | 29.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 12.1% | 34.3% | 32.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.6% | 37.3% | 35.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.8 pts | +6.9 pts | +6.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Kalihi-Palama have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 16.6%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree is up 4.8 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Kalihi-Palama has the lowest share of college graduates of any Honolulu neighborhood.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Kalihi-Palama
| Period | Kalihi-Palama | Honolulu area | Hawaii | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 70.7% | 89.9% | 89.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 72.0% | 90.5% | 90.6% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 71.0% | 91.8% | 91.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 78.8% | 93.0% | 93.1% | 89.3% |
| Change | +8.1 pts | +3.1 pts | +3.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in five adults in Kalihi-Palama never finished high school, well above the national share: only 78.8% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma has risen 8.1 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only one other Honolulu neighborhood has a lower share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Kalihi-Palama
| Period | Kalihi-Palama | Honolulu area | Hawaii | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.2% | 5.5% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.9% | 6.3% | 6.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.5% | 4.2% | 4.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.0% | 4.7% | 5.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | +1.7 pts | −0.7 pts | −1.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been harder to find in Kalihi-Palama than nationally: unemployment was 7.0%, against 5.4%. No other Honolulu neighborhood has higher unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has risen 1.7 points, even as the national rate fell.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Kalihi-Palama compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalihi-Palama | 3.93 | 39.5 | 18.1% | 66.9% | 8.8% | 1970 | $1,466 | 16.6% | 78.8% | 7.0% |
| Liliha-Kapalama | 3.18 | 48.0 | 11.6% | 40.2% | 8.5% | 1969 | $1,941 | 34.2% | 88.7% | 5.5% |
| The Arts District | 1.97 | 49.3 | 4.6% | 74.1% | 4.6% | 1983 | $1,512 | 25.3% | 75.9% | 6.8% |
| Kalihi Valley | 4.63 | 43.1 | 19.2% | 33.1% | 8.8% | 1967 | $1,928 | 23.2% | 83.1% | 3.2% |
| Downtown | 1.66 | 46.4 | 4.7% | 63.3% | 13.3% | 1981 | $1,655 | 44.3% | 88.3% | 5.4% |
| Nuuanu-Punchbowl | 2.68 | 43.5 | 8.6% | 37.9% | 10.6% | 1970 | $2,342 | 46.6% | 94.7% | 3.5% |
| Moanalua | 2.78 | 35.1 | 8.3% | 55.3% | 5.5% | 1984 | $2,416 | 42.9% | 97.4% | 4.3% |
| Makiki | 2.03 | 44.5 | 10.5% | 55.1% | 9.0% | 1973 | $1,822 | 46.3% | 91.3% | 6.4% |
| Ala Moana-Kakaako | 1.85 | 45.6 | 5.5% | 47.1% | 16.5% | 2000 | $2,203 | 53.0% | 95.9% | 4.2% |
| Aliamanu | 3.12 | 41.8 | 11.9% | 44.1% | 7.4% | 1977 | $2,285 | 34.3% | 92.1% | 2.9% |
| Mxcully-Moiliili | 1.99 | 44.4 | 5.5% | 63.7% | 11.3% | 1973 | $1,628 | 40.1% | 89.9% | 3.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Excelsior, San Francisco, CA · Greater Memorial, Houston, TX · Greater Greenspoint, Houston, TX · University District, Seattle, WA · Glendale, Queens, NY · Gateway-Green Valley Ranch, Denver, CO · university, Orlando, FL · Frankford, Philadelphia, PA · Financial District, Manhattan, NY · Fenway-Kenmore, Boston, MA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Kalihi-Palama. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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