Hilo, HI Demographics

A map of Hilo's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Asian	17,232	13,353	34.2%	30.2%
Multiracial	13,325	12,175	26.4%	27.6%
White	7,214	6,771	14.3%	15.3%
Native American/Other	6,727	6,590	13.3%	14.9%
Hispanic	5,530	5,065	11.0%	11.5%
Black	376	232	0.7%	0.5%

Hilo, Hawaii has an estimated population of 50,404, a large increase from the 44,186 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 34.2% Asian, 26.4% Multiracial, 14.3% White, 13.3% Native American/Other, 11.0% Hispanic, and 0.7% Black. This demographic dot map shows the population of Hilo, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Hilo has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is about as diverse as Hawaii overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Hilo, that probability was 77.4% in 2020 and 76.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Hilo is ranked the 3rd most populous place in Hawaii, out of 163 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Hilo was ranked the 4th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Hilo's White Population

7,214 residents of Hilo, or 14.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Hilo is lower than in Hawaii overall, where 20.9% of the population is White. Hilo ranks 121st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 163 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Hilo's White population has grown by an estimated 6.5%. White residents' share of Hilo's population has decreased from 15.3% to 14.3%.

Hilo is more White than neighboring Keaau (6.8% White), Papaikou (9.8% White), and Kurtistown (13.1% White). Hilo is less White than neighboring Wainaku (26.3% White), and Paukaa (43.1% White).

Hilo's Black Population

376 residents of Hilo, or 0.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Hilo is comparable to the share in Hawaii overall, where 1.8% of the population is Black. Hilo ranks 87th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 163 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Hilo's Black population has grown by an estimated 62.1%. Black residents' share of Hilo's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Hilo is more Black than neighboring Keaau (0% Black), Papaikou (0% Black), and Kurtistown (0% Black). Hilo is less Black than neighboring Wainaku (1.2% Black), and Paukaa (1.1% Black).

Hilo's Asian Population

17,232 residents of Hilo, or 34.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Hilo is slightly lower than in Hawaii overall, where 36.4% of the population is Asian. Hilo ranks 51st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 163 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Hilo's Asian population has grown by an estimated 29.0%. Asian residents' share of Hilo's population has increased from 30.2% to 34.2%.

Hilo is more Asian than neighboring Paukaa (17.3% Asian), and Papaikou (27.9% Asian). Hilo is less Asian than neighboring Wainaku (37.5% Asian), Keaau (42.3% Asian), and Kurtistown (37.5% Asian).

Hilo's Hispanic Population

5,530 residents of Hilo, or 11.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Hilo is comparable to the share in Hawaii overall, where 9.9% of the population is Hispanic. Hilo ranks 50th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 163 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Hilo's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 9.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Hilo's population has decreased from 11.5% to 11.0%.

Hilo is more Hispanic than neighboring Wainaku (5.7% Hispanic), Paukaa (5.1% Hispanic), Keaau (7.6% Hispanic), and Papaikou (7.8% Hispanic). Hilo is less Hispanic than neighboring Kurtistown (17.4% Hispanic).

Hilo's Native American/Other Population

6,727 residents of Hilo, or 13.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Hilo is slightly higher than in Hawaii overall, where 10% of the population is Native American/Other. Hilo ranks 40th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 163 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Hilo's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 2.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Hilo's population has decreased from 14.9% to 13.3%.

Hilo is more Native American/Other than neighboring Wainaku (0.4% Native American/Other), Paukaa (7.6% Native American/Other), Keaau (8.8% Native American/Other), and Papaikou (12.5% Native American/Other). Hilo is less Native American/Other than neighboring Kurtistown (13.8% Native American/Other).

Hilo's Multiracial Population

13,325 residents of Hilo, or 26.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Hilo is higher than in Hawaii overall, where 21% of the population is Multiracial. Hilo ranks 33rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 163 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Hilo's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 9.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Hilo's population has decreased from 27.6% to 26.4%.

Hilo is more Multiracial than neighboring Paukaa (25.8% Multiracial), and Kurtistown (18.2% Multiracial). Hilo is less Multiracial than neighboring Wainaku (28.9% Multiracial), Keaau (34.5% Multiracial), and Papaikou (42% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.