Population 19,051 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Waikiki
Household size in Waikiki
| Period | Waikiki | Honolulu area | Hawaii | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1.76 | 3.21 | 3.12 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 1.72 | 3.29 | 3.20 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 1.69 | 3.26 | 3.18 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.64 | 3.10 | 3.06 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.11 | −0.11 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
Households in Waikiki are small: just 1.64 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Household size has dropped from 1.76 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Waikiki has the smallest households of any Honolulu neighborhood.
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 Waikiki
| Period | Waikiki | Honolulu area | Hawaii | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.0 | 38.5 | 39.1 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 43.0 | 39.2 | 39.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 44.2 | 40.2 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 49.5 | 41.5 | 42.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +9.5 | +3.0 | +3.2 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 49.5, Waikiki is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 40.0 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only one other Honolulu neighborhood is older.
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 Waikiki
| Period | Waikiki | Honolulu area | Hawaii | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.9% | 11.4% | 11.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 3.7% | 10.8% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 3.3% | 10.0% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.6% | 10.9% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.2 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 2.6% of households in Waikiki, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 3.2 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. No other Honolulu neighborhood has a lower 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 Waikiki
Renters in Waikiki
| Period | Waikiki | Honolulu area | Hawaii | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 65.0% | 42.4% | 40.7% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 65.5% | 45.1% | 42.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 60.3% | 43.8% | 41.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 60.1% | 40.2% | 37.0% | 34.8% |
| Change | −4.8 pts | −2.2 pts | −3.7 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Waikiki rent: 60.1% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. About half of owners (48.9%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 4.8 points, even as the national share rose.
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 Waikiki
| Period | Waikiki | Honolulu area | Hawaii | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.2% | 9.1% | 11.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 30.2% | 8.2% | 11.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 40.1% | 9.1% | 11.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 29.5% | 8.9% | 10.8% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.7 pts | −0.2 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Waikiki: 29.5% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Waikiki has the highest vacancy rate of any Honolulu neighborhood.
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 Waikiki
| Period | Waikiki | Honolulu area | Hawaii | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1972 | 1975 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1972 | 1976 | 1978 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1972 | 1977 | 1979 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1974 | 1979 | 1981 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Waikiki run a bit older than the national norm, with a median build year of 1974 against 1980.
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 Waikiki
| Period | Waikiki | Honolulu area | Hawaii | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,356 | $1,466 | $1,393 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,427 | $1,594 | $1,482 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,700 | $2,010 | $1,829 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,993 | $2,359 | $2,199 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$637 | +$894 | +$806 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Waikiki costs $1,993 a month with utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Locally, though, rents here are lower than in the Honolulu area overall ($2,359). Rents are up $637 a month from 2006–10, a 47% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 38.5% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
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 Waikiki
Bachelor's degrees in Waikiki
| Period | Waikiki | Honolulu area | Hawaii | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.2% | 30.4% | 28.9% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 40.5% | 31.6% | 29.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 45.7% | 34.3% | 32.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 45.0% | 37.3% | 35.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.9 pts | +6.9 pts | +6.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are more common in Waikiki than nationally: 45.0% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 4.9 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Waikiki
| Period | Waikiki | Honolulu area | Hawaii | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 93.9% | 89.9% | 89.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 94.3% | 90.5% | 90.6% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.1% | 91.8% | 91.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.3% | 93.0% | 93.1% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.5 pts | +3.1 pts | +3.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Waikiki: 94.3% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The Honolulu area as a whole looks much the same.
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 Waikiki
| Period | Waikiki | Honolulu area | Hawaii | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.9% | 5.5% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.9% | 6.3% | 6.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.7% | 4.2% | 4.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.6% | 4.7% | 5.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.7 pts | −0.7 pts | −1.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little harder to find in Waikiki than nationally: unemployment was 6.6%, against 5.4%. Of Honolulu's 18 neighborhoods, only two have higher unemployment. Unemployment has edged up 0.7 points since 2006–10, 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).
Waikiki 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waikiki | 1.64 | 49.5 | 2.6% | 60.1% | 29.5% | 1974 | $1,993 | 45.0% | 94.3% | 6.6% |
| Mxcully-Moiliili | 1.99 | 44.4 | 5.5% | 63.7% | 11.3% | 1973 | $1,628 | 40.1% | 89.9% | 3.5% |
| Diamond Head-Kapahulu-St Louis | 2.46 | 46.2 | 6.4% | 50.1% | 14.4% | 1968 | $2,135 | 49.5% | 93.3% | 4.4% |
| Ala Moana-Kakaako | 1.85 | 45.6 | 5.5% | 47.1% | 16.5% | 2000 | $2,203 | 53.0% | 95.9% | 4.2% |
| Makiki | 2.03 | 44.5 | 10.5% | 55.1% | 9.0% | 1973 | $1,822 | 46.3% | 91.3% | 6.4% |
| Kaimuki | 2.96 | 47.1 | 8.9% | 34.4% | 7.3% | 1962 | $2,292 | 49.9% | 94.4% | 3.6% |
| Manoa | 2.45 | 43.9 | 8.3% | 37.5% | 7.0% | 1966 | $2,244 | 60.3% | 98.2% | 4.9% |
| Palolo | 3.01 | 45.9 | 6.5% | 33.6% | 5.0% | 1963 | $1,840 | 36.8% | 88.6% | 3.1% |
| Downtown | 1.66 | 46.4 | 4.7% | 63.3% | 13.3% | 1981 | $1,655 | 44.3% | 88.3% | 5.4% |
| Waialae-Kahala | 2.81 | 50.5 | 6.7% | 21.5% | 15.9% | 1965 | $2,683 | 62.6% | 97.9% | 2.7% |
| The Arts District | 1.97 | 49.3 | 4.6% | 74.1% | 4.6% | 1983 | $1,512 | 25.3% | 75.9% | 6.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Tampa Palms, Tampa, FL · Franklin Park, Toledo, OH · Greater Rosemont, Baltimore, MD · Greektown, Chicago, IL · Greenwood, Brooklyn, NY · Harder-Tennyson, Hayward, CA · Hunting Park, Philadelphia, PA · Jefferson, Cleveland, OH · Kailua Kona, Kailua-Kona, HI · Kaimuki, Honolulu, HI
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 Waikiki. 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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