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Hawaii State: Population, Rankings, and Facts

#13 in Overall Ranking out of 50 in 2021

Hawaii is a popular tourism hub with several parks and the only state located outside the North American Continent. Its weather is tropically warm because of its closeness to the equator. This is the only archipelago in the U.S. and consists of eight islands: Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, Maui, and Hawaiʻi. It is one of the few states to have once become independent.

Updated: April 20, 2021
  • Area
    10,931 sq mi
  • Capital
    Honolulu
  • Population
    1,415,872
  • Income
    $77,765
  • Home Value
    $683,470
  • Crime
    4,042
  • Unemployment
    10.3%
  • Education
    32.0%
  • Medicine
    1
  • Poverty
    9.3%
  • Environment
    5
  • Infrastructure
    16.1%

It has a rich history that dates back to 124 and 1120 AD. The first known inhabitants of the archipelago, the Polynesians, arrived from Marquesas Island at that time. By 1000 AD, the Tahitians settled on the island.

According to the history books, the first European to land on the chain of islands was British Captain James Cook in 1778. It became a U.S territory in 1898 and was the last state to join the Union on August 21, 1959. 

The island played a huge part in World War II. After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the United States entered the war. On that fateful day, the U.S lost 12 navy ships, 160 aircraft, and 2,400 Americans.

The Hawaii flag has eight horizontal stripes, which are of white, red, and blue colors. It was adopted on December 29, 1845. The majority of its population lives on Oahu, which houses the capital, and the state’s largest city, Honolulu. The number of counties on the island is five, while Honolulu County is the biggest by population. 

The economy is dominated by tourism and agriculture. It is also a strong military base with the largest naval command globally, the U.S Pacific Fleet stationed there.

In summer, the daytime temperature average is 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and during winter, it reduces to 78 F. The 44th US President, Barack Obama, was born in Honolulu, the capital city.

How We Figured Out Which Were the Best States to Live In

To discover the best states to reside in the U.S. in 2021, it was essential to gather credible statistics and information from authoritative national sources. The information used was extracted from multiple points such as the FBI records, U.S. Department of Labor, Census Bureau, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and United Health Foundation.

The standard research policy used involved a checkup of facts used for its validity, accuracy, and relevance to today’s reality.

Hawaii Rankings

  • Population
    #40
    Population
    Data: 1,415,872

    It has one of the smallest population densities among U.S. states, according to the latest census records. Hawaii’s population density is suitable for those who want wider and open spaces to live. In contrast, California has a population census figure of 39,512,223, while Wyoming has the least, 578,759.

  • Median Income
    #5
    Income in $
    Data: $77,765

    It has one of the best median incomes among U.S. states. In contrast, Maryland has the highest with $80,776 while West Virginia has the lowest with $43,469. The individual tax rate is 11.00%, and the corporate one is 6.40%.

  • Home Value
    #1
    Home Value
    Data: $683,470

    The value of Hawaiian homes has risen by 5.5% over the past year. In comparison, West Virginia has the least median home value with $113,626. The average rent per month is $2,300. The most popular house types are single-family homes, condominiums, and timeshares. The property tax is 0.3%, the lowest in the country.

  • Unemployment Rate
    #50
    Unemployment
    Data: 10.3%

    Hawaii’s unemployment rate is the highest in the U.S. in 2021. In contrast, Utah rates with 3.3% in the first place in the rank. Demanding licensing requirements and increased demand for jobs present a massive problem for employment in that region. The high rate of unemployment makes the island not suitable for job seekers.

  • Poverty
    #5
    Poverty
    Data: 9.3%

    The state has one of the lowest poverty rates in the country. Mississippi has the highest at 19.8% in the U.S, and New Hampshire has the lowest rate at 7.2%. The male poverty rate is 8.65% while the female — 10.22%. Native Americans are the poorest race in the archipelago.

  • Education
    #18
    Education
    Data: 32.0%

    It has one of the most educated populations in the U.S. Massachusetts has the highest with 42.1%, while West Virginia has the lowest with 19.9%. The state has an average debt at graduation estimate of $25,125, lesser than the countrywide average of $28,650.

  • Medicine
    #5
    Medicine
    Health Outcomes: 1

    The rate of uninsured adults is 4.1%, below the country’s average of 13.8%. The obesity rate is 23.8%, better than the American standard of 31.3%. The capital, Honolulu, has very clean air with a PM2.5 score of 38, which positively impacts people’s health. It has one of the most efficient health insurance packages in the country.

  • Crime Rate
    #38
    Crime
    Violent Crime: 4,042

    It has one of the highest crime rates among U.S. states. In comparison, Maine has the lowest. The most dangerous places to live in the state are Hawaiian Ocean View and Hawaiian Beaches. Common crime types include robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and arson. The number of violent crimes is 4,042, murder is 48, rape is 765, and robbery is 1,131.

  • Natural Environment
    #4
    Environment
    Air: 5

    It has one of the best natural environments in the U.S. Only North Dakota, South Dakota, and Delaware are better in this regard. The island has a hazardous waste rate of 29, pesticides of 28, and water of 81. There are 243 days with unhealthy air quality and an industrial toxin rate of 477 pounds/sq mi.

  • Infrastructure
    #41
    Infrastructure
    Poor Roads: 16.1%

    16% of the roads are in bad conditions, which is the third-lowest position in the U.S; South Carolina and Louisiana rank above it. Only 17% of their roads are in good conditions. The best driveways in the country are Wyoming, Kansas, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Montana.

Hawaii Facts

  • “Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono” is a Hawaiian phrase and its official motto. In English, it means “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.”
  • Hawaii’s abbreviation is HI.
  • The official nickname is the Aloha State.
  • Nene, the Hawaiian goose, is the official state bird.
  • The state flower is the yellow hibiscus. Every island has an official color and flower.
  • The archipelago has the world’s largest island chain.
  • Hawaii’s zip code starts with 967.
  • Surfing was invented in the state.
  • Mount Haleakala is the largest dormant volcano in the world. It has a peak of 10,023 feet.
  • Mixed-race lives on the island comprising 10.5% Hispanic, 37.8% Asian, 24.9% White, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8% Black or African American, and 23.9% have a multi-ethnic background.
  • The islands were once united under a monarchy from 1810 to 1893.
  • Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa, which translates in English as “reef triggerfish,” is the official fish.
  • There are no snakes in the state.
  • All forms of gambling are illegal.
  • It has lost more wildlife than any other place.
  • It uses the Hawaiian Standard Time for its time zone.
  • It is one of the two states, the other being California, where coffee is grown on a commercial basis.

Hawaii in Photos

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FAQ Section

  • Where Is Hawaii?

    It is a group of united islands in the Pacific Ocean. The Aloha state was the last one to join the U.S. It is located to the south of Alaska and to the north of Tahiti, which is in French Polynesia.

  • How Many Volcanoes Are in Hawaii?

    Three are five volcanoes on the island, of which two (Kilauea and Mauna Loa) are still active. Mauna Loa last erupted in 1984, and Kilauea’s has been erupting since 1983. Tourists visit the island to experience an encounter with an active volcano. Other volcanoes are Mauna Kea, Hualalai, and Kohala.

  • What Is HI Known for?

    The land of volcanoes is known for a variety of things such as beaches, coffee, and other tourist attractions.

    They are:

    • Beautiful beaches of varying sand colors such as white, green, red, pink, and even black.
    • Luxury Kona coffee, one of the most expensive in the world. Kalua pig, poi, and Lomi salmon are other food attractions.
    • The Luau, a native communal feast where people celebrate outdoors with lots of feasting, is another attraction.
    • Amazing scenery and the volcano Mauna Kea, which towers 13,796 ft (4,205 meters) above sea level.

  • What to Do in Hawaii?

    One of the top activities on the island is swimming. Tourists can also enjoy snorkeling at Hanauma Bay on Oahu.

    For the ultimate adventure, take the 64-mile Maui’s Road to Hana, which has over 600 turns with countless natural sceneries on its parts, such as beaches and waterfalls.

    There are lots of colorful beaches where tourists can have a fulfilling time. They include Papakōlea Green Sand Beach, Kehena Black Sand Beach, and Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. The best time to visit the islands is March to September.

  • How Much Does It Cost to Live in the Aloha State?

    Living there does not come cheap. Although Honolulu’s median household income was around $85,857 (2019), it is no secret that it is below comfort level. People should earn about $120,000 a year to enjoy a comfortable living in its capital, Honolulu. Its poverty tax of 0.28% is the lowest in America, and the sales tax of 4.0% is one of the best as well.

  • What Language Is Spoken in HI?

    English and Hawaiian are the two official languages. There is no other place in the U.S. that has as much. In 1839, King Kamehameha III was the one who initiated what is today known as the Hawaiian language.