Based on the most recent estimates released by the US Census, we estimate the 2018 population of Hawaii at 1.43 million.

At the 2010 census the population of Hawaii was declared at a total of 1,360,301. Estimates of the population are produced in the years between censuses - and in 2015, this number had risen to 1,431,603.

This represents a 5.2% increase from the 1.36 million recorded during the 2010 Census.

Hawaiian Islands and Populations

There are eight major islands in Hawaii. Oahu is the largest, with a population of 953,207.

Next largest is Hawaii itself, holding 186,738 people, followed closely by Maui (144,444). The only other island with a sizeable population is Kauai (pop 66,921). The remaining islands are Molokai (7,345), Lanai (3,135), Niihau (170) and Kahoolawe (unpopulated).

Honolulu is the largest city and the largest county in Hawaii, home to an estimated 350,399 of Oahu's people in the city itself. The county of Honolulu contains nearly 1 million residents, however. There are no other cities with more than 50,000 people. The next largest city is Pearl City, which is home to 47,698 people.

Hawaiian Land Area and Population Density

Based on the most recent estimates, Hawaii is the 40th largest state in the union. Although small in terms of its population, Hawaii is big in terms of one area of census statistics – population density. In total, the islands make up 10,931 square miles (28,311 square kilometres) in surface area, which makes its density 222.9 people per square mile. This ranks it 13th in the US in population density.

Hawaii Demographics

Age/Sex, Race, and Religion

The median age in Hawaii is approximately 38.5 years of age, and the state has a slight gender gap with 49.8% females and 50.2% males residing in the state.

The racial diversity in Hawaii stands at 38% Asian, 25% Caucasian, 23.8% Two or more races, 10.2% Native Hawaiian/Native Islander, 1.8% African American, and 1% other races. A graph can be found below for more information.

In religious terms, Hawaii stands at 63% Christianity based faiths, 10% non-Christian based faiths, and 26% unaffiliated to any particular faith.

Hawaii Statehood, Census, and Boundary History

Hawaii was an independent nation prior to being annexed by the United States in 1898; it was made a territory in 1900. On August 21, 1959, Hawaii was admitted as a State and assumed its present boundaries, omitting certain small islands formerly included in the territory.

Census coverage has included the whole of Hawaii since 1900. The Hawaiian government conducted at least 9 censuses between 1850 and 1898; see Robert C Schmitt, Historical Statistics of Hawaii (Honolulu: University Press of Hawaii, 1977).