Hawaii County
HI · Pop. 203,684 · Suburban County
Hawaii County is a suburban county in Hawaii, spanning 4,028 square miles with 203,684 residents at a density of 50.6 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on lettuce, sweet potatoes, ginger root. The median home price is $486,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.29%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 11a with a 365-day growing season, average summer highs of 57.4°F and average winter lows of 35.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 23.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Hilo Medical Center is 26.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 91.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 365-day growing season in USDA zone 11a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.29% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 91.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.7% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A median home price of $486,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- The nearest hospital, Hilo Medical Center, is 26.7 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Hawaii County, HI is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 29/100
- Median home price
- $486k
- Property tax
- 0.29%
- Growing season
- 365 days (zone 11a)
- Annual rainfall
- 23.3"
- Broadband
- 91.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Hilo Medical Center, 26.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Hawaii County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Hawaii County?
- Hawaii County is in USDA hardiness zone 11a with a 365-day growing season, average summer highs of 57.4°F, and average winter lows of 35.6°F. The established crops are lettuce, sweet potatoes, ginger root.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $486,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.29%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 91.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Hilo Medical Center is 26.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 6 hospitals in the county.
Explore Hawaii Resources
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More counties in Hawaii
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The closest counties to Hawaii County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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