Hawaii Population Density: 216 People Per Square Mile (2020 Census)

According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Hawaii's population density is 216 people per square mile, making it the 11th most densely populated state in the nation.

Context Behind the Number

• Total population: ~1.46 million (2020)
• Land area: 6,423 sq mi (16,635 km²) across 8 main islands + 129 smaller islets
• Highly uneven distribution: Over 70% of residents live on O'ahu (Honolulu metro: ~1,600/sq mi). Neighbor islands are far less dense.

Comparison

• New Jersey (most dense): 1,263/sq mi
• National average: ~94/sq mi
• Alaska (least dense): 1.3/sq mi

Why It Matters

Density shapes housing costs, infrastructure demand, conservation pressure, and emergency planning. Hawaii's unique geography—volcanic islands with limited buildable land—concentrates development in coastal corridors, intensifying local density well above the statewide average.