Kauai County
HI · Pop. 73,610 · Mixed County
Kauai County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Hawaii, spanning 620 square miles with 73,610 residents at a density of 118.7 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on taro, lettuce, herbs. A median home price of $818,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.22% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 12b with a 365-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.8°F and average winter lows of 63.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 21.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital is 4.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 365-day growing season in USDA zone 12b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.22% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 97.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 4.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.2% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Annual rainfall of just 21.8 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A median home price of $818,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Kauai County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Kauai County?
- Kauai County is in USDA hardiness zone 12b with a 365-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.8°F, and average winter lows of 63.2°F. The established crops are taro, lettuce, herbs.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $818,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.22%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital is 4.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.
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Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them.
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