Wailua, HI Demographics

A map of Wailua's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	951	724	35.3%	30.7%
Hispanic	664	298	24.6%	12.6%
Asian	510	663	18.9%	28.1%
Multiracial	452	494	16.8%	20.9%
Native American/Other	101	161	3.7%	6.8%
Black	19	19	0.7%	0.8%

Wailua, Hawaii has an estimated population of 2,697, a large increase from the 2,359 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 35.3% White, 24.6% Hispanic, 18.9% Asian, 16.8% Multiracial, 3.7% Native American/Other, and 0.7% Black. This demographic dot map shows the population of Wailua, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Wailua has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is slightly 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 Wailua, that probability was 76.2% in 2020 and 75.0% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Wailua is ranked the 87th 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). Wailua was ranked the 92nd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Wailua's White Population

951 residents of Wailua, or 35.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Wailua is considerably higher than in Hawaii overall, where 20.9% of the population is White. Wailua ranks 77th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 163 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wailua's White population has grown by an estimated 31.4%. White residents' share of Wailua's population has increased from 30.7% to 35.3%.

Wailua is more White than neighboring Kapaa (27.7% White), Hanamaulu (11.6% White), Lihue (18.8% White), and Anahola (10.8% White). Wailua is less White than neighboring Wailua Homesteads (46.8% White).

Wailua's Black Population

19 residents of Wailua, or 0.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Wailua is comparable to the share in Hawaii overall, where 1.8% of the population is Black. Wailua ranks 53rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 163 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wailua's Black population has remained roughly the same. Black residents' share of Wailua's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Wailua is more Black than neighboring Wailua Homesteads (0% Black), Hanamaulu (0% Black), and Anahola (0% Black). Wailua is less Black than neighboring Kapaa (1% Black), and Lihue (2.5% Black).

Wailua's Asian Population

510 residents of Wailua, or 18.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Wailua is significantly lower than in Hawaii overall, where 36.4% of the population is Asian. Wailua ranks 58th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 163 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wailua's Asian population has declined by an estimated 23.1%. Asian residents' share of Wailua's population has decreased from 28.1% to 18.9%.

Wailua is more Asian than neighboring Anahola (4% Asian). Wailua is less Asian than neighboring Kapaa (34.2% Asian), Wailua Homesteads (24.1% Asian), Hanamaulu (51.8% Asian), and Lihue (40.7% Asian).

Wailua's Hispanic Population

664 residents of Wailua, or 24.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Wailua is considerably higher than in Hawaii overall, where 9.9% of the population is Hispanic. Wailua ranks 33rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 163 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wailua's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 122.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Wailua's population has increased from 12.6% to 24.6%.

Wailua is more Hispanic than neighboring Kapaa (8.5% Hispanic), Wailua Homesteads (9.5% Hispanic), Hanamaulu (15.4% Hispanic), Lihue (10.3% Hispanic), and Anahola (7.1% Hispanic).

Wailua's Native American/Other Population

101 residents of Wailua, or 3.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Wailua is lower than in Hawaii overall, where 10% of the population is Native American/Other. Wailua ranks 120th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 163 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wailua's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 37.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Wailua's population has decreased from 6.8% to 3.7%.

Wailua is less Native American/Other than neighboring Kapaa (6.8% Native American/Other), Wailua Homesteads (6.9% Native American/Other), Hanamaulu (7.1% Native American/Other), Lihue (10% Native American/Other), and Anahola (54.5% Native American/Other).

Wailua's Multiracial Population

452 residents of Wailua, or 16.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Wailua is slightly lower than in Hawaii overall, where 21% of the population is Multiracial. Wailua ranks 86th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 163 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wailua's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 8.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Wailua's population has decreased from 20.9% to 16.8%.

Wailua is more Multiracial than neighboring Wailua Homesteads (12.7% Multiracial), and Hanamaulu (14.1% Multiracial). Wailua is less Multiracial than neighboring Kapaa (21.8% Multiracial), Lihue (17.7% Multiracial), and Anahola (23.5% 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.