Makaha has been named the poorest town in Hawaii for 2024. According to recent analyses using data from the American Community Survey, Makaha ranks at the bottom in terms of both median household income and poverty rate among all communities in the state.
The town, located on Oahu’s leeward coast, has a population of just over 10,000 and reports a median household income of $57,235—the lowest in Hawaii. Additionally, Makaha has the highest poverty rate in the state at 24.0%.
This ranking is based on a combination of factors, including:
- Median household income (lowest in the state)
- Poverty rate (highest in the state)
- Number of people living in poverty (2,408 residents)
Other towns with high poverty rates include Waianae, Wahiawa, and Nanakuli, but Makaha consistently ranks as the poorest by both income and poverty statistics.
Makaha is currently recognized as the poorest town in Hawaii, facing significant economic challenges compared to other communities in the state.
Sources
[1] https://www.civilbeat.org/2011/11/13539-fact-check-white-house-waianae-among-hawaiis-poorest-areas/
[2] https://www.roadsnacks.net/poorest-places-in-hawaii/
[3] https://www.dwellhawaii.com/blog/moving-to-hawaii/
[4] https://hiappleseed.org/blog/official-poverty-data-obscures-reality-in-hawaii
[5] https://www.zipdatamaps.com/economics/income/agi/state/poorest-zipcodes-in-hawaii
