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 | Kauai County | Hawaii Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $94,192 | $98,332 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $61,186 | $63,498 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.8% | 4.5% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 12.2% | 14.2% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Kauai County is about 4% lower than in Hawaii. Income has been growing faster in Kauai County (4.8%/yr) than in Hawaii (4.5%/yr).
About 12% of adults in Kauai County 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 Kauai County, Hawaii grew by 48.5% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $94,192 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.8% per year.
Economic Inequality in Kauai County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Kauai County | Hawaii Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.506 | 0.535 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $67,806 | $68,848 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $52,809 | $57,717 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 22.1% | 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 Kauai County, it is 0.506, lower than Hawaii's 0.535, so income is more 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 28% more than women's income in Kauai County, Hawaii. Over a 35-year career, a 28% wage gap accumulates to roughly $524,895 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Kauai County, Hawaii has widened from about 14% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $8,881 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Kauai County | Hawaii Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 7.9% | 8.8% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 1,448 people are unemployed in Kauai County, Hawaii.
The average commute time in Kauai County is 20 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Hawaii.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Kauai County, Hawaii has fallen from 6.6% to 3.9% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Kauai County, Hawaii has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it about on par with Hawaii, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Kauai County, Hawaii.
How Rich Is Kauai County, Hawaii?
Kauai County has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $94,192, about 4% lower than the Hawaii average of $98,332.
What is the current median household income in Kauai County, Hawaii?
As of 2023, the median household income in Kauai County, Hawaii is $94,192.
What was the median household income in Kauai County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Kauai County, Hawaii was $94,192.
What was the median household income in Kauai County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Kauai County, Hawaii was $81,962.
What is the Gini coefficient in Kauai County, Hawaii?
The Gini coefficient in Kauai County is 0.506. 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 Kauai County, Hawaii?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Kauai County, Hawaii has widened from about 14% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $8,881 since 2009.