Best Counties to Live in Hawaii

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Best counties to live in Hawaii

More counties in the United States experienced population growth in the last year, according to the latest Census data, even as pandemic-related moving trends begin to normalize.

Counties in the South continued to experience growth, particularly in Florida, where 96% of its 67 counties gained new residents. Polk County, Florida, a suburb of Orlando, added the most, with 26,000 people moving there in 2023.

Meanwhile, counties in the Midwest and Northeast continued to lose population, but at slower rates than the year before. Some of the biggest losses were in counties home to large cities, including Cook County, Illinois (home of Chicago) and the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens in New York.

Many counties are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or relatively affordable housing costs. Others are favored for their historic or well-designed downtowns or access to cultural opportunities.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in Hawaii using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by various factors including public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.

Keep reading to see if your county made the list.

You may also like: How drunk driving fatalities in Hawaii compare to the rest of the US

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#4. Kauai County, Hawaii

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 73,511
- Median household income: $88,869
- Median home value: $742,900 (65% own)
- Median rent: $1,686 (35% rent)
- Top public schools: Hanalei Elementary School (grade B+), King Kaumuali'i Elementary School (grade B+), Koloa Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Island School (grade A+), Kauai Christian Academy (grade A), St. Catherine School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Princeville (grade B minus), Waimea (grade B minus), Wailua Homesteads (grade C+)

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#3. Hawaii County, Hawaii

- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 202,163
- Median household income: $74,238
- Median home value: $454,900 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,352 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: Waiakea High School (grade A), Ernest Bowen de Silva Elementary School (grade A minus), West Hawaii Explorations Academy Public Charter School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Hawai'i Preparatory Academy (grade A+), Parker School (grade A+), St. Joseph School - Hilo (grade A+)
- Top places: Hilo (grade B), Kealakekua (grade B), Waimea (grade B minus)

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#2. Maui County, Hawaii

- Overall Rank: 1,129
- Population: 164,765
- Median household income: $95,379
- Median home value: $800,100 (65% own)
- Median rent: $1,805 (35% rent)
- Top public schools: Kihei Charter School (grade A minus), Maui High School (grade B+), King Kekaulike High School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Maui Preparatory Academy (grade A+), Seabury Hall (grade A+), St Anthony School (grade A)
- Top places: Wailuku (grade B), Wailea (grade B), Pukalani (grade B)

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#1. Honolulu County, Hawaii

- Overall Rank: 563
- Population: 1,010,100
- Median household income: $99,816
- Median home value: $832,200 (59% own)
- Median rent: $1,976 (41% rent)
- Top public schools: Mililani High School (grade A), University Laboratory School (grade A), Myron B. Thompson Academy Public Charter School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Iolani School (grade A+), Asia Pacific International School (grade A+), Punahou School (grade A+)
- Top places: Maunawili (grade A minus), Kailua (grade A minus), Honolulu (grade A minus)

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.