Wealth Index
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Hilo | Hawaii Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $80,102 | $98,332 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $60,126 | $63,498 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.4% | 4.5% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 10.3% | 14.2% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Hilo is about 19% lower than in Hawaii. Income has been growing faster in Hilo (5.4%/yr) than in Hawaii (4.5%/yr).
About 10% of adults in Hilo earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Hawaii average of 14%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Hilo, Hawaii grew by 45.6% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $80,102 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.4% per year.
Economic Inequality in Hilo | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Hilo | Hawaii Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.555 | 0.535 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $69,164 | $68,848 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $53,541 | $57,717 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 22.6% | 16.2% | 19.1% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Hilo, it is 0.555, higher than Hawaii's 0.535, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 29% more than women's income in Hilo, Hawaii. Over a 35-year career, a 29% wage gap accumulates to roughly $546,805 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Hilo, Hawaii has widened from about 20% to 23% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $6,139 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Hilo | Hawaii Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 8.3% | 8.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 15 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 1,679 people are unemployed in Hilo, Hawaii.
The average commute time in Hilo is 15 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Hawaii.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Hilo, Hawaii has fallen from 9.2% to 7.2% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Hilo, Hawaii has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it somewhat worse than Hawaii, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Hilo, Hawaii.
How Rich Is Hilo, Hawaii?
Hilo has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $80,102, about 19% lower than the Hawaii average of $98,332.
What is the current median household income in Hilo, Hawaii?
As of 2023, the median household income in Hilo, Hawaii is $80,102.
What was the median household income in Hilo in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Hilo, Hawaii was $80,102.
What was the median household income in Hilo in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Hilo, Hawaii was $65,587.
What is the Gini coefficient in Hilo, Hawaii?
The Gini coefficient in Hilo is 0.555. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Hilo, Hawaii?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Hilo, Hawaii has widened from about 20% to 23% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $6,139 since 2009.