Hilo ZIP Code List — Hawaii County, HI

There are 2 unique ZIP codes in Hilo, Hawaii. Area code: 808.

ZIP codes

287.77

sq mi land

6.94

sq mi water

808

area code

Hilo, HI ZIP code map

About Hilo, HI

Hilo, HI, is a beautiful city located on the eastern side of the Big Island of Hawaii, known for its lush landscapes and vibrant local culture. It serves as the county seat of Hawaii County and offers a unique blend of natural beauty and rich history. Visitors and residents alike are drawn to its stunning waterfalls, botanical gardens, and proximity to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Location & geography

Hilo is situated along the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by the verdant rainforests of the Hamakua Coast. It is approximately 30 miles away from the city of Kailua-Kona to the west and about 125 miles from the bustling city of Honolulu. With a land area of 287.77 square miles and a water area of 6.94 square miles, Hilo showcases a diverse terrain that includes both coastal and mountainous landscapes.

Community & economy

Hilo's community is characterized by a laid-back, friendly atmosphere that reflects the island's aloha spirit. The economy is primarily driven by agriculture, tourism, and education, with many locals engaged in farming, especially of tropical fruits and flowers. Daily life in Hilo often includes community events, cultural festivals, and outdoor activities, making it a vibrant place to live and visit.

Transportation

The main highway serving Hilo is the Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19), which connects to various locations on the island. The nearest major airport is Hilo International Airport (ITO), providing both domestic and limited international flights, making travel to and from Hilo convenient. Public transportation options include the Hele-On Bus system, which serves the island and connects Hilo to other towns.

History

Hilo was founded in ancient Hawaiian times and has long been important for its access to coastal resources. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Hilo grew significantly due to the sugarcane industry, which provided economic stability and employment. A notable event in Hilo's history includes the devastating 1960 tsunami, which led to significant changes in coastal development and emergency preparedness in the region.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Hilo is that it receives more rainfall than any other city in the United States, with an average of over 130 inches annually. This has contributed to the area’s lush geography and diverse ecosystems, making it a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.

ZIP codes for Hilo, HI (2)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
96720	Hilo	Hawaii	View map
96721	Hilo	Hawaii	View map

Demographics & statistics

50,453

Population

41.7

Median age

$75,265

Median household income

$37,217

Per capita income

$421,800

Median home value

$1,229

Median monthly rent

65.4%

Home ownership

14.6%

Poverty rate

6.6%

Unemployment

13,544

Housing units

34.1%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

1,098

Under 5

1,159

1,494

5–9

1,575

1,718

10–14

1,813

1,668

15–19

1,759

1,254

20–24

1,322

2,996

25–34

3,160

3,169

35–44

3,343

2,470

45–54

2,606

1,443

55–59

1,523

1,757

60–64

1,853

2,991

65–74

3,156

1,610

75–84

1,698

885

85+

933

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	10,637	21.1%
18 and over	39,816	78.9%
65 and over	11,273	22.3%
Median age	41.7 years

Race & ethnicity

Two or more races 36.4%

Asian 29.7%

White 17.7%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 11.6%

Hispanic or Latino 3.2%

Other race 0.7%

Black or African American 0.7%

Group	Count	%
Two or more races	18,952	36.4%
Asian	15,458	29.7%
White	9,238	17.7%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	6,039	11.6%
Hispanic or Latino	1,673	3.2%
Other race	389	0.7%
Black or African American	353	0.7%

Household income

Under $10k 6.9%

$10k–$15k 4.4%

$15k–$25k 7.5%

$25k–$35k 7.2%

$35k–$50k 8.0%

$50k–$75k 15.8%

$75k–$100k 12.4%

$100k–$150k 17.0%

$150k–$200k 11.4%

$200k+ 9.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.9%
$10k–$15k	4.4%
$15k–$25k	7.5%
$25k–$35k	7.2%
$35k–$50k	8.0%
$50k–$75k	15.8%
$75k–$100k	12.4%
$100k–$150k	17.0%
$150k–$200k	11.4%
$200k+	9.3%
Median income	$75,265

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 1.6%

$50k–$100k 2.5%

$100k–$150k 2.5%

$150k–$200k 2.9%

$200k–$300k 12.5%

$300k–$500k 43.7%

$500k–$1M 30.7%

$1M+ 3.7%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$421,800
Median rent / month	$1,229
Owner occupied	65.4%
Renter occupied	34.6%
Vacant	10.4%
Single-family detached	78.7%
Large apartment buildings	9.8%
Mobile homes	0.3%
Median rooms	5.2
Avg household size (owned)	2.88

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	3.8%
2000–2009	9.2%
1990–1999	13.3%
1980–1989	15.8%
1970–1979	25.6%
1960–1969	12.9%
1950–1959	8.2%
1940–1949	5.7%
1939 or earlier	5.5%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	4.9%
1 bedroom	6.1%
2 bedrooms	17.6%
3 bedrooms	50.8%
4 bedrooms	16.2%
5+ bedrooms	4.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	8.5%
1 vehicle	31.1%
2 vehicles	33.9%
3 or more	26.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	2.0%
Electricity	35.9%
Propane / LP gas	3.4%
Fuel oil	0.1%
Wood	0.2%
Solar	2.7%
No fuel used	55.5%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	7,920	45.0%
Cohabiting couple	1,303	7.4%
Male householder, no spouse	3,003	17.1%
Female householder, no spouse	5,358	30.5%
Households with children under 18	5,003	28.5%
Households with seniors (65+)	7,678	43.7%
Average household size	2.78

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	41.2%	33.1%
Married	47.2%	42.3%
Separated	1.6%	1.6%
Widowed	2.4%	10.7%
Divorced	7.6%	12.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.7%

Some HS, no diploma 4.1%

HS graduate 27.2%

Some college, no degree 18.8%

Associate's degree 14.2%

Bachelor's degree 21.5%

Graduate / professional 12.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	94.2%
Bachelor's or higher	34.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	423	3.4%
Kindergarten	457	3.7%
Elementary school	5,363	43.6%
High school	2,367	19.2%
College / grad school	3,697	30.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 27.5%

Retail trade 12.0%

Arts, food & hospitality 10.8%

Professional & management 9.6%

Public administration 9.1%

Construction 7.5%

Finance & real estate 5.5%

Transportation & utilities 5.2%

Other services 4.0%

Wholesale trade 3.3%

Agriculture & mining 2.5%

Manufacturing 1.7%

Information 1.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	41.3%
Service	20.9%
Sales & office	20.4%
Natural resources & construction	9.7%
Production & transportation	7.7%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	64.8%
Government	26.9%
Self-employed	8.1%
Unpaid family workers	0.2%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	72.0%
Carpool	14.5%
Public transit	0.6%
Walk	2.9%
Other means	2.2%
Avg commute (minutes)	19.8

Poverty

All people 14.6%

Under 18 years 19.3%

18 and over 13.3%

Married-couple families 4.0%

Female-led households 25.3%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	43.9%
Retirement income	32.8%
Supplemental Security	7.2%
Cash public assistance	7.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	21.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	29.5%
High cholesterol	28.7%
Heart disease	6.1%
Stroke	3.5%
Asthma	9.2%
Arthritis	21.3%
Kidney disease	3.0%
Pulmonary disease	5.4%
Cancer	5.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.5%
No physical activity	20.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	37.2%
Fair or poor health	14.2%
Poor mental health	12.9%
Poor physical health	9.4%
No health insurance	10.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	75.5%
Visited dentist	64.3%
Cholesterol screening	85.4%
Teeth loss	8.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	3,382	8.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	15.0%
Under 18	4.4%
18–64 years	11.9%
65 and over	33.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	71.3%
Public insurance	46.5%
Uninsured under 19	3.2%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	48,196	95.5%
Spanish	3,281	6.8%
Other Indo-European	110	0.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	40	0.1%
Other languages	2,534	5.3%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	45,850	90.9%
Born in same state	45,214	89.6%
Born in different state	36,539	72.4%
Foreign born	636	1.3%
Naturalized citizen	4,603	9.1%
Not a US citizen	2,549	55.4%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	2,249	4.5%
Italian	1,413	2.8%
Polish	363	0.7%
Arab	360	0.7%
German	240	0.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	146	0.3%
Dutch	58	0.1%
Irish	46	0.1%
Norwegian	34	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	34.9%
Internet access	92.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Hilo, HI?

Hilo, HI has one ZIP code: 96720.

What is the main ZIP code for Hilo, HI?

The primary ZIP code for Hilo, HI is 96720. The city uses area code 808 for phone service.

What county is Hilo, HI in?

Hilo is located in Hawaii County, Hawaii.

How many ZIP codes are in Hilo, HI?

Hilo, HI has 1 ZIP code.