Kauai County, Hawaii facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kauai County
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Location within the U.S. state of Hawaii
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 Hawaii's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  Hawaii |
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| Founded | 1905 | ||
| Seat | Lihue | ||
| Largest community | Kapa‘a | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 1,266 sq mi (3,280 km2) | ||
| • Land | 620 sq mi (1,600 km2) | ||
| • Water | 646 sq mi (1,670 km2) 51.0%% | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 73,298 | ||
| • Density | 57.897/sq mi (22.354/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−10 (Hawaii–Aleutian) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | HADT | ||
| Congressional district | 2nd | ||
Kauaʻi County (Hawaiian: Kalana o Kauaʻi), officially known as the County of Kauaʻi, is a county in the U.S. state of Hawaiʻi. It encompasses the islands of Kauaʻi, Niʻihau, Lehua, and Kaʻula. According to the 2020 Census, the population was 73,298. The county seat is Līhuʻe.
The Kapa'a Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Kauai County.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,266 square miles (3,280 km2), of which 620 square miles (1,600 km2) is land and 646 square miles (1,670 km2) (51.0%) is water. The Pacific Ocean surrounds the county.
Adjacent entities
- Honolulu County, Hawaii - southeast
- Midway Atoll - northwest
National protected areas
- Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge
- Huleia National Wildlife Refuge
- Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 20,734 | — | |
| 1910 | 23,952 | 15.5% | |
| 1920 | 29,438 | 22.9% | |
| 1930 | 35,942 | 22.1% | |
| 1940 | 35,818 | −0.3% | |
| 1950 | 29,905 | −16.5% | |
| 1960 | 28,176 | −5.8% | |
| 1970 | 29,761 | 5.6% | |
| 1980 | 39,082 | 31.3% | |
| 1990 | 51,177 | 30.9% | |
| 2000 | 58,463 | 14.2% | |
| 2010 | 67,091 | 14.8% | |
| 2020 | 73,298 | 9.3% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 73,851 | 10.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2018 |
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At the 2000 census there were 58,463 people, 20,183 households, and 14,572 families in the county. The population density was 94 people per square mile (36 people/km2). There were 25,331 housing units at an average density of 41 per square mile (16/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 36.0% Asian, 29.5% White, 23.8% from two or more races, 9.1% Pacific Islander, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American and 0.9% from other races. 8.2%. were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 20,183 households 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were non-families. 21.4% of households were one person and 7.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.34.
The age distribution was 26.4% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 100.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.50 males.
Economy
Top employers
According to the county's 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the top non-government employers in the county are the following:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilcox Health (Wilcox Medical Center) | 846 |
| 2 | Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa | 810 |
| 3 | Ohana Pacific Management Co. | 371 |
| 4 | Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital | 275 |
| 5 | Kauai Beach Resort | 160 |
| 6 | Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital | 148 |
| 7 | Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative | 140 |
| 8 | Kauai Nursery & Landscaping Inc. | 97 |
| 9 | Gather FCU | 88 |
| 10 | The Parrish Collection | 85 |
Education
Higher education
Kauai Community College is the county's only institution of higher education. One of the ten branches of the University of Hawaiʻi system, it offers a range of 2-year degrees and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Primary and Secondary Education
Public schools in the county are operated by the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, and the county is represented by Maggie Cox on the state's Board of Education. There are 10 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 3 high schools, and 5 K-12 schools in the county.
High schools
- Kapa'a High School
- Kauaʻi High School
- Waimea High School
Middle schools
- Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School
- Kapa'a Middle School
- Waimea Canyon Middle School
Elementary schools
- Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi Public Charter School
- Eleele Elementary School
- Hanalei Elementary School
- Kalaheo Elementary School
- Kapa'a Elementary
- Kaumualii Elementary School
- Kekaha Elementary School
- Kilauea Elementary School
- Kōloa Elementary School
- Wilcox Elementary School
K-12 Schools
- Kanuikapono Public Charter School
- Kawaikini New Century Public Charter School
- Ke Kula Niʻihau O Kekaha Learning Center
- Kula Aupuni Niʻihau A Kahelelani Aloha
- Ni'ihau High & Elementary
Private schools
There are five private schools in the county: Island School, Kahili Adventist School, St. Catherine's School, St. Theresa's Elementary School, and ʻŌlelo Christian Academy.
Infrastructure
Transportation
Lihue Airport serves the island of Kauai. Bus service is provided by The Kauai Bus.
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- Major Highways
Route 50
Route 51
Route 56
Route 58
Route 520
Route 540
Route 550
Route 570
Route 580
Route 581
Route 583
Communities
There are no incorporated communities in Kauai County, or in any other county of Hawaii. The county is the only form of local government in the State of Hawaii.
Census-designated places
Other unincorporated places
Sister cities
Kauai County's sister cities are:
Bangued, Philippines- Davao City, Philippines
Ishigaki, Japan- Iwaki, Japan
- Laoag, Philippines
- Moriyama, Japan
Papenoo, French Polynesia- Santa, Philippines
- Suō-Ōshima, Japan
- Urdaneta, Philippines
Whitby, England, United Kingdom
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Kauai para niños
