Pahala, HI Demographics

A map of Pahala's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Hispanic	558	164	31.6%	11.7%
Asian	543	558	30.7%	39.8%
Multiracial	455	364	25.7%	25.9%
White	96	106	5.4%	7.6%
Black	64	4	3.6%	0.3%
Native American/Other	52	207	2.9%	14.8%

Pahala, Hawaii has an estimated population of 1,768, a large increase from the 1,403 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 31.6% Hispanic, 30.7% Asian, 25.7% Multiracial, 5.4% White, 3.6% Black, and 2.9% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Pahala, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Pahala is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is less diverse than Hawaii overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Pahala, that probability was 73.3% in 2020 and 73.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Pahala is ranked the 104th 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). Pahala was ranked the 110th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Pahala's White Population

96 residents of Pahala, or 5.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Pahala is significantly lower than in Hawaii overall, where 20.9% of the population is White. Pahala ranks 151st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 163 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Pahala's White population has declined by an estimated 9.4%. White residents' share of Pahala's population has decreased from 7.6% to 5.4%.

Pahala is less White than neighboring Naalehu (10.3% White), Waiohinu (27% White), Discovery Harbour (63.7% White), Volcano Golf Course (67.4% White), and Hawaiian Ocean View (35.7% White).

Pahala's Black Population

64 residents of Pahala, or 3.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Pahala is comparable to the share in Hawaii overall, where 1.8% of the population is Black. Pahala ranks 131st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 163 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Pahala's Black population has grown by an estimated 1500.0%. Black residents' share of Pahala's population has increased from 0.3% to 3.6%.

Pahala is more Black than neighboring Naalehu (0% Black), Waiohinu (0% Black), Discovery Harbour (3.2% Black), Volcano Golf Course (0% Black), and Hawaiian Ocean View (2.7% Black).

Pahala's Asian Population

543 residents of Pahala, or 30.7% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Pahala is lower than in Hawaii overall, where 36.4% of the population is Asian. Pahala ranks 26th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 163 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Pahala's Asian population has declined by an estimated 2.7%. Asian residents' share of Pahala's population has decreased from 39.8% to 30.7%.

Pahala is more Asian than neighboring Naalehu (26.3% Asian), Waiohinu (17.8% Asian), Discovery Harbour (5.2% Asian), Volcano Golf Course (4.3% Asian), and Hawaiian Ocean View (3.7% Asian).

Pahala's Hispanic Population

558 residents of Pahala, or 31.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Pahala is significantly higher than in Hawaii overall, where 9.9% of the population is Hispanic. Pahala ranks 46th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 163 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Pahala's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 240.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Pahala's population has increased from 11.7% to 31.6%.

Pahala is more Hispanic than neighboring Naalehu (22.7% Hispanic), Waiohinu (21.1% Hispanic), Discovery Harbour (8.8% Hispanic), Volcano Golf Course (19.1% Hispanic), and Hawaiian Ocean View (12.3% Hispanic).

Pahala's Native American/Other Population

52 residents of Pahala, or 2.9% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Pahala is lower than in Hawaii overall, where 10% of the population is Native American/Other. Pahala ranks 41st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 163 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Pahala's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 74.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Pahala's population has decreased from 14.8% to 2.9%.

Pahala is more Native American/Other than neighboring Volcano Golf Course (1.6% Native American/Other). Pahala is less Native American/Other than neighboring Naalehu (6.8% Native American/Other), Waiohinu (5.9% Native American/Other), Discovery Harbour (3.6% Native American/Other), and Hawaiian Ocean View (16.1% Native American/Other).

Pahala's Multiracial Population

455 residents of Pahala, or 25.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Pahala is slightly higher than in Hawaii overall, where 21% of the population is Multiracial. Pahala ranks 43rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 163 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Pahala's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 25.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Pahala's population has remained roughly unchanged at 25.7%.

Pahala is more Multiracial than neighboring Discovery Harbour (15.6% Multiracial), and Volcano Golf Course (7.6% Multiracial). Pahala is less Multiracial than neighboring Naalehu (33.9% Multiracial), Waiohinu (28.3% Multiracial), and Hawaiian Ocean View (29.5% 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.