Papaikou ZIP Code List — Hawaii County, HI

There is one unique ZIP code in Papaikou, Hawaii and it is 96781. Area code: 808.

ZIP codes

51.57

sq mi land

0.82

sq mi water

808

area code

Papaikou, HI ZIP code map

About Papaikou, HI

Papaikou is a charming community located on the Big Island of Hawaii, known for its lush landscapes and vibrant history. This small town captures the essence of Hawaiian culture with its inviting atmosphere and friendly locals. Nestled along the Hamakua Coast, Papaikou is renowned for its scenic views and proximity to natural wonders.

Location & geography

The town of Papaikou lies approximately 6 miles north of Hilo, and is accessible via the Hawaii Belt Road. Spanning a total area of 51.57 square miles, Papaikou includes both land and water, with 0.82 square miles attributed to its water bodies. The area features rich terrain with tropical vegetation, a stunning coastline, and is characterized by its picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean.

Community & economy

Papaikou has a close-knit community that prides itself on its Hawaiian heritage and local traditions. The economy is primarily driven by agriculture, with sugarcane and macadamia nuts being significant contributors in the past. Daily life in Papaikou is relaxed, and locals often engage in outdoor activities, enjoying the rich environment and culture that surrounds them.

Transportation

Transportation in Papaikou is readily facilitated by the nearby Hawaii Belt Road, which connects the town to other regions of the island. The closest major airport is Hilo International Airport, offering domestic flights to and from various locations. Limited public transit options may be available, primarily serving the needs of residents and local travelers.

History

Papaikou was founded during the sugarcane boom in Hawaii and played a crucial role in the sugar industry. Notable events in the town's history include the establishment of sugar plantations, which significantly shaped its development and economy. As the sugar industry declined, the area transitioned to tourism and agriculture.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Papaikou is its beautiful scenic drives, which are often overlooked by tourists heading to more popular destinations on the Big Island. Additionally, the historical significance of its sugar plantations contributes to the rich tapestry of Hawaii's agricultural history.

ZIP codes for Papaikou, HI (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
96781	Papaikou	Hawaii	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,629

Population

46.7

Median age

$92,188

Median household income

$35,868

Per capita income

$671,300

Median home value

$1,363

Median monthly rent

84.1%

Home ownership

11.3%

Poverty rate

3.5%

Unemployment

689

Housing units

19.7%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

106

25–34

103

35–44

45–54

151

55–59

138

60–64

107

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	248	15.2%
18 and over	1,381	84.8%
65 and over	292	17.9%
Median age	46.7 years

Race & ethnicity

Two or more races 44.8%

Asian 25.7%

White 16.2%

Hispanic or Latino 7.3%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 4%

Other race 2%

Group	Count	%
Two or more races	787	44.8%
Asian	451	25.7%
White	285	16.2%
Hispanic or Latino	128	7.3%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	70	4%
Other race	36	2%

Household income

Under $10k 3.8%

$15k–$25k 10.1%

$25k–$35k 9.1%

$35k–$50k 7.5%

$50k–$75k 12.7%

$75k–$100k 11.9%

$100k–$150k 26.0%

$150k–$200k 8.4%

$200k+ 10.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.8%
$15k–$25k	10.1%
$25k–$35k	9.1%
$35k–$50k	7.5%
$50k–$75k	12.7%
$75k–$100k	11.9%
$100k–$150k	26.0%
$150k–$200k	8.4%
$200k+	10.5%
Median income	$92,188

Housing

Home values

$50k–$100k 2.7%

$100k–$150k 3.5%

$150k–$200k 1.5%

$200k–$300k 13.3%

$300k–$500k 21.4%

$500k–$1M 47.9%

$1M+ 9.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$671,300
Median rent / month	$1,363
Owner occupied	84.1%
Renter occupied	15.9%
Vacant	26.5%
Single-family detached	94.9%
Large apartment buildings	0.1%
Mobile homes	0.0%
Median rooms	6.0
Avg household size (owned)	2.84

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	8.1%
2000–2009	8.8%
1990–1999	5.1%
1980–1989	19.4%
1970–1979	9.1%
1960–1969	9.4%
1950–1959	12.7%
1940–1949	9.0%
1939 or earlier	18.5%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	4.6%
2 bedrooms	13.6%
3 bedrooms	56.5%
4 bedrooms	14.4%
5+ bedrooms	10.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	3.5%
1 vehicle	30.5%
2 vehicles	14.3%
3 or more	51.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Electricity	29.0%
Propane / LP gas	5.8%
Wood	1.6%
Solar	11.9%
No fuel used	51.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	259	45.2%
Cohabiting couple	20	3.5%
Male householder, no spouse	125	21.8%
Female householder, no spouse	169	29.5%
Households with children under 18	131	22.9%
Households with seniors (65+)	243	42.4%
Average household size	2.84

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	42.4%	22.8%
Married	44.6%	44.6%
Separated	0.0%	1.3%
Widowed	1.8%	18.1%
Divorced	11.1%	13.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.5%

Some HS, no diploma 8.8%

HS graduate 30.7%

Some college, no degree 31.1%

Associate's degree 8.1%

Bachelor's degree 9.0%

Graduate / professional 10.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	89.7%
Bachelor's or higher	19.7%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	21	7.5%
Kindergarten	10	3.6%
Elementary school	114	40.6%
High school	99	35.2%
College / grad school	37	13.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Transportation & utilities 19.0%

Professional & management 14.6%

Education & healthcare 13.8%

Construction 10.4%

Agriculture & mining 10.2%

Public administration 9.6%

Retail trade 7.6%

Arts, food & hospitality 4.9%

Manufacturing 4.3%

Other services 3.1%

Wholesale trade 2.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	25.6%
Service	21.4%
Sales & office	21.6%
Natural resources & construction	12.4%
Production & transportation	19.0%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	59.5%
Government	26.8%
Self-employed	13.7%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	63.9%
Carpool	13.8%
Public transit	1.1%
Walk	5.3%
Other means	1.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	22.9

Poverty

All people 11.3%

Under 18 years 21.1%

18 and over 9.7%

Married-couple families 0.4%

Female-led households 10.7%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	42.8%
Retirement income	33.5%
Supplemental Security	8.0%
Cash public assistance	2.8%
Food stamps / SNAP	9.2%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	31.1%
High cholesterol	29.7%
Heart disease	6.6%
Stroke	3.7%
Asthma	8.8%
Arthritis	22.8%
Kidney disease	3.2%
Pulmonary disease	5.7%
Cancer	5.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.8%
No physical activity	22.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	36.9%
Fair or poor health	14.8%
Poor mental health	12.6%
Poor physical health	9.7%
No health insurance	11.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.0%
Visited dentist	63.4%
Cholesterol screening	86.2%
Teeth loss	9.4%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	174	12.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	19.8%
Under 18	7.7%
18–64 years	18.7%
65 and over	33.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	67.4%
Public insurance	45.4%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,586	97.4%
Spanish	139	8.8%
Other Indo-European	2	0.1%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	115	7.3%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,467	90.1%
Born in same state	1,447	88.8%
Born in different state	1,133	69.6%
Foreign born	20	1.2%
Naturalized citizen	162	9.9%
Not a US citizen	100	61.7%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	56	3.4%
French	53	3.3%
Arab	25	1.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	13	0.8%
Dutch	1	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	35.2%
Internet access	90.4%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Papaikou, HI?

Papaikou, HI has one ZIP code: 96781.

What is the main ZIP code for Papaikou, HI?

The primary ZIP code for Papaikou, HI is 96781. The city uses area code 808 for phone service.

What county is Papaikou, HI in?

Papaikou is located in Hawaii County, Hawaii.

How many ZIP codes are in Papaikou, HI?

Papaikou, HI has 1 ZIP code.