Census Bureau releases 2010 data for State of Hawaii

From Hawaii Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, Research and Economic Analysis Division

On Thursday Feb. 24, the U.S. Census Bureau released the 2010 Census redistricting data for Hawaii. The main purpose of this data is to assist states in redrawing their Congressional and local legislative districts. It includes information on total population, population by major race groups, population by Hispanic or Latino origin, voting age and housing unit counts.

This is the first set of 2010 Census information which provides us with a look at our local communities, areas from the county level down to the block level. Some of the major highlights for Hawaii from this data are:

1. Population growth in the neighbor island counties was faster than on Oahu and the state as a whole. Between 2000 and 2010, Hawaii’s population grew by 12.3 percent and Honolulu’s population increased by 8.8 percent. The population of neighbor island counties, however, rose faster and their shares of the state’s population have increased, continuing a trend that began in the 1980s. The fastest growing counties between 2000 and 2010 were Hawaii and Maui counties, with a 24.5 percent and 20.8 percent increase respectively. The City and County of Honolulu now has 70.1 percent of the state’s population, down from 72.3 percent a decade ago. The combined share of the three neighbor island counties grew from 27.7 percent to 29.9 percent between 2000 and 2010. Hawaii County’s population share grew to 13.6 percent (up from 12.3 percent), Maui County’s population share increased to 11.4 percent (up from 10.6 percent), and Kauai County’s population share increased to 4.9 percent (up from 4.8 percent).
2. Total population counts are now available for the smaller islands.  The 2010 Census provides us with the most accurate count of island populations since 2000, the last decennial census. Population counts for the lesser populated islands are almost non-existent between decennial census years. The islands of Molokai and Lanai decreased in population and now have 7,345 and 3,135 persons respectively. There were 170 residents on the island of Niihau, a net of 10 additional people from a decade ago. Among all the islands, Hawaii Island had the highest rate of growth at 24.5 percent.
3. There was a increase in the proportion of the population 18 years and older. In 2000, 75.6 percent of Hawaii’s population was 18 years and older. That increased in the past 10 years to 77.7 percent in 2010. This trend holds true for all counties and islands.
4. The mixed-race population has increased. Since 2000, the proportion of the mixed “Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander” people has increased, while the proportion of the population that are “Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander” or one other race alone has decreased. The 2000 Census was the first in which respondents could select more than one race category and “Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders” was a separate category from “Asians.” The 2010 Census revealed 76.4 percent of Hawaii’s population was of a single race, while 23.6 percent were in the two or more race category. In 2000, the figures were 78.6 percent and 21.4 percent respectively. Hawaii County had the highest proportion of people of mixed racial background (29.5 percent). Ten percent of the state’s 2010 population were “Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander” race alone compared to 9.4 percent in 2000, while 16.2 percent were in the mixed “Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander” race in 2010 versus 14.0 percent in 2000.
5. Statewide, the number of housing units increased by 12.8 percent. The greatest growth occurred in Hawaii County, a 31.4 percent increase. While the state population increased 12.3 percent during the decade, housing units grew slightly more, 12.8 percent. Occupied housing units were 87.6 percent of the total. Vacant units include those “for seasonal, recreational or occasional use.”