Kauai
Hawaii

What stands out

Against every county in America, Kauai County is unusual in three ways: the property tax rate is among the lowest in America (0.23%), the home price against local income is among the most stretched in America (7.3 years of income), and the median home price is among the priciest in America ($1M).

Where you are

You live in Kauai County, Hawaii. 73,511 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -247).

Hawaii has the lowest property-tax rates in the nation but the highest home prices, so the dollar bills are not low. Nearly everything is shipped in, which pushes groceries and utilities to the top of the national range. The state has a graduated income tax reaching 11% and an estate tax, and it does not tax Social Security or most public pensions.

Money

The typical household here brings in $88,869 a year, higher than 93% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $59,731. Unemployment runs 3.6%, higher than 58% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home.

Hawaii takes 6.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $5,645 a year.

Home

The median home costs $1M, pricier than almost every county in America, about 7.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,649 a month. Property tax is 0.23% of home value, roughly $1,679 a year on that median home, lower than almost every county in America. 65% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 2.9 per 1,000 residents, lower than 96% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 15 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 82.4 years, longer than 98% of American counties. There are 174 active physicians in the county, about 23.7 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 5.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.88 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 60% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 34 points. 65% of eligible voters turned out. Under Hawaii law you need local approval to carry a concealed handgun, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 74 out of 100, riskier than 75% of American counties; the county has had 18 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 234 Mbps down, faster than 66% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.3 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 3 breweries, 13 museums.