Discover the Top 4 Richest Counties in Hawaii

Of Hawaii’s five counties, three feature median incomes and home values higher than the national average. However, despite having the highest cost of living in the country, Hawaii is in the number 10 spot for per-capita income in the U.S. Overall, Hawaii has experienced good economic growth over the last several years but has some downsides regarding wealth and equality. Hawaiian residents spend roughly 40% of their income on housing and face gender and race pay inequalities.

Let’s look at the four richest counties in Hawaii, including their gross domestic products, median wages, home prices, and most notable residents.

Honolulu County

The city and county of Honolulu includes the state capital and largest community of Honolulu, as well as the neighborhoods of Oahu and other outlying islands. Honolulu County contains 70% of the state’s population, with just over one million people. The county covers a total area of 2,128 square miles. However, more than 70% of its area is the Pacific Ocean.

As of 2022, urban Honolulu had a gross domestic product of $74,422 (in millions), a sharp increase from 2020. The top sectors for the county are government, real estate, accommodation, health care, and retail. Its top employers include the State of Hawaii, The Queen’s Health Systems, Hawaii Pacific Health, and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan. Several major companies, including Hawaiian Airlines and Bank of Hawaii, are also headquartered within its boundaries.

Residents of Honolulu County have a median income of $92,600 and an investment income of $29.541. The median home value is $861,631, much higher than the national average of $417,700.

Some of the most notable people to ever live in Honolulu County include Jason Momoa, Nicole Kidman, Bruno Mars, and Jimmy Carter.

Maui County

The county of Maui consists of Maui, Moloka’i, Lana’i, Molokini, and Kaho’olawe islands. The county covers a total area of 2,398 square miles, of which more than half is water. Nearly 165,000 people live within its boundaries, and the county seat is Wailuku.

In 2022, Maui County’s gross domestic product was $11,649,377, and its top sectors include real estate, accommodation and food services, government, retail, and transportation. Top employers include the Grand Wailea Resort and Spa, Ritz-Carlton-Kapalua, Maui Memorial Medical Center, Four Seasons Resort, Westin, Kaanapali Beach Club, and Walmart. Residents of Maui County have a median income of $88,249, an investment income of $47,326, and a median home value of $986,414, much higher than the national average.

Some of the most famous people who own homes in Maui County include Oprah Winfrey, Woody Harrelson, Kris Kristofferson, Owen Wilson, and Sammy Hagar.

Kauai County

The County of Kaua’i consists of Kauai, Ni’ihau, Ka’ula, and Lehua Islands. More than 73,000 people live within its boundaries, covering a total area of 1,266 square miles, of which 51% is water. 

Kauai County had a gross domestic product of $4,757,690. Its top sectors include real estate, accommodation and food services, government, finance, insurance, and retail. The county’s top employers are Wilcox Health, Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa, Ohana Pacific Management Co., Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital, and Kauai Beach Resort. Kauai County residents have a median income of $86,287, an investment income of $39,985, and a median home value of $907,373.

Kauai’s most famous and wealthiest people include Ben Stiller, Pierce Brosnan, Julia Roberts, Dwayne Johnson, and Bette Midler.

Hawaii County

Hawaii County consists of the “Big Island” and is the state’s most expansive and southerly county. It covers a total area of 5,086 square miles, and its land area comprises 62.7% of the state’s total land. As of 2020, Hawaii County had a population of 200,629.

In 2022, the county had a gross domestic product of $10,253,256. Its top sectors include real estate, government, accommodation, food service, retail, and health care. The largest employers are the State of Hawaii, Kamehameha Schools, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Four Seasons, KTA Super Stores, and Hilton Waikoloa Village. County residents have a median income of $68,399, an investment income of $35,071, and a median home value of $545,860. 

Some of the most prominent people who call the Big Island home include Roseanne Barr, Marc Benioff, Mathew McConaughey, and Michael Dell.

Summary of the Top 4 Richest Counties in Hawaii

The photo featured at the top of this post is © hmmunoz512 from pixabay, Troy Squillaci from Pexels, okimo from Getty Images Pro, Ron and Patty Thomas from Getty Images Signature, cemplon/ via Canva.com