Hilo, HI Area Guide & Demographic Info - Hawaii Global Luxury Group

Welcome to Hilo

Hilo is blessed with breathtaking waterfalls, flourishing gardens, and verdant jungles.

Hilo is a town on the northeastern edge of Hawai'i Island with stunning scenery and all the conveniences of a big city. The area is blessed with breathtaking waterfalls, verdant jungles, and flourishing gardens. It's also the location of Hilo International Airport and is an easy stop en route to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which is only 45 minutes to the south.

In the 1800s, Hilo transformed from a busy farming and fishing area to a commercial center for the sugar industry. Downtown Hilo sprang up around its crescent-shaped bay and became the county seat. Today, Hilo's downtown is a picturesque town with museums, art galleries, shops, and restaurants.

What to Love

Wide variety of housing options
Beautiful sunrises and views over Hilo Bay
Residential neighborhoods with families
Hilo International Airport

Local Lifestyle

Hilo is the largest city on the Big Island, in addition to being its capital. Nearly 3.3 times the size of Kailua Kona, it is home to more than 23% of all people living on the island of Hawai'i. About 10% of Hilo's population comprises students and employees at the University of Hawaii's Hilo campus. As a result, certain areas of Hilo have the feel of a college town.

In addition to being the island's largest city, Hilo is also its cultural center. The scene is created by the presence of historic structures, the aftermath of two tsunamis, and the legacy of the island's former plantation era.

Residences in Hilo tend to reflect the town's laid-back vibe. Most of the town's single-family homes are clustered along Kaumana Drive and Hawaii Belt Road. As you travel south along Keaau-Pahoa Road, you'll see communities populated by single-family bungalows close to the coast.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

Hilo has a wide variety of shopping options. Prince Kuhio Plaza is East Hawaii's largest enclosed shopping center. Anchor businesses include Sears and Macy's, and the mall also features a 9-Screen Movie Theatre, a food court, restaurants, retail boutiques, and many more businesses. Downtown Hilo is home to many quaint restaurants and shops, including Hilo Farmers Market, where you can get fresh produce and local crafts.

Over the past few years, Hilo's restaurant industry has steadily grown, and the city now features a wide variety of excellent dining options. Café Pesto is a great spot for lunch or dinner. This eatery serves a wide selection of dishes that draw inspiration from Italian and Mediterranean cuisine and are prepared using fresh, regional ingredients. Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine, an open-air restaurant in the heart of downtown, is a local favorite. With its lively bar scene, indoor/outdoor feel, and live music, this restaurant is a great spot to relax with friends over bistro fare made with regional ingredients. For a delicious breakfast, try Ken's House of Pancakes. The portions are very generous, so sharing is a good idea. The bananas foster French toast, and macadamia nut pancakes are must-orders.

Things to Do

The magnificent Akaka Falls is one of Hawaii's most famous attractions and the crown jewel of Akaka Falls State Park. You can reach these falls after a scenic 0.4-mile hike through a looping footpath that not only provides spectacular views of Akaka Falls but also of Kahuna Falls, another major attraction in Akaka Falls State Park.

For a taste of Japan right in the middle of Hilo, head to the beautiful Liliuokalani Park and Gardens. It is the largest garden designed in the Edo style outside of Japan and spans an impressive 24 acres. You'll feel like you've traveled to Japan thanks to the garden's many torii gates, gazebos, bridges, teahouses, pagodas, statues, and ponds, all of which have a Japanese aesthetic.

Bike Volcano offers guided bicycle tours of Hawaii's national parks and volcanoes. Biking over the Hawaiian mountains, complete with active volcanoes and the sensation of molten lava, is a spiritual experience unlike any other. If you (or your children) are interested in Hawaiian history and astronomy, the Imiloa Astronomy Center is a fantastic option. Exhibits, activities, and a full-dome planetarium are just some ways that the Imiloa center aims to educate and entertain its many visitors, students, and locals.

The Merrie Monarch Hula Festival is a week-long festival held each year after Easter. It features a three-day hula competition, an invitational art fair, hula shows, and a grand parade to celebrate the many cultures of Hawaii.

Schools

Hilo falls under the Hawaii Department of Education School District. Top schools in this town include:

Hilo Union Elementary School, Grades PK-6
Connections - New Century Public Charter School, Grades K-12 & Ungraded
Hilo Intermediate School, Grades 7-8
Waiakea High School, Grades 9-12 & Ungraded
Hilo High School, Grades 9-12 & Ungraded

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Schools in Hilo, HI

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Primary Schools ()

Middle Schools ()

High Schools ()

Mixed Schools ()

The following schools are within or nearby Hilo. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Type

Name

Demographics and Employment Data for Hilo, HI

Population Households Employment

Hilo has 16,776 households, with an average household size of 2.8. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Hilo do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 49,111 people call Hilo home. The population density is 164.64 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

49,111

Total Population

Low

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

40

Median Age

49.27 / 50.73%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

Less Than 9th Grade
Associate Degree
Bachelor Degree

16,776

Total Households

2.8

Average Household Size

$33,909

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married

Single

Divorced

Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes

15 to 29 Minutes

30 to 59 Minutes

60+ Minutes

Around Hilo, HI

There's plenty to do around Hilo, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

17

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Duck Fat Food Truck, Ricos Tacos, and Kamakana's Sweet Treats.

Name	Category	Distance	Reviews	Ratings by Yelp
Visit the Duck Fat Food Truck page on Yelp	Dining	1.13 miles	22 reviews	4.8/5 stars
Visit the Ricos Tacos page on Yelp	Dining	1.13 miles	4 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Kamakana's Sweet Treats page on Yelp	Dining	1.13 miles	1 review	5/5 stars
Visit the Souprsaimin page on Yelp	Dining	1.13 miles	1 review	5/5 stars
Visit the Saloha page on Yelp	Dining	1.13 miles	1 review	5/5 stars
Visit the Crusty Buns page on Yelp	Dining	1.13 miles	1 review	2/5 stars
Visit the Hawaiian Island Cruisers page on Yelp	Active	1.13 miles	1 review	5/5 stars
Visit the Pu’u ‘Ō’ō Trail page on Yelp Search 23 State Rte 200 on Google Maps	Active	4.85 miles	1 review	5/5 stars
Visit the Ilikō Sweet Skin page on Yelp	Beauty	1.13 miles	15 reviews	5/5 stars