Residential delivery area · Hawaii
ZIP Code 96778: Pahoa, HI
ZIP code 96778 uses the postal name Pahoa, Hawaii and lies entirely in Hawaii County (Census 2020 ZIP-county file). About 15,000 people live there (Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024). Median household income is $39,750 (Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024). By Census place, its land lies in Hawaiian Beaches (7%), Kamaili (3%), Leilani Estates (2%), Nanawale Estates (1%), Pahoa (1%), Ainaloa (under 1%), Tiki Gardens (under 1%), Kalapana (under 1%), Black Sands (under 1%) and Seaview (under 1%); 82% is outside any Census place.
- ACS2020-24
- Census2020
- FHFA2025
- ZBP2023
- IRS2022
- Town
- Pahoa · its only residential ZIP
- County
- Hawaii County
- Census places
- Hawaiian Beaches (7%) census-designated place; Kamaili (3%) census-designated place; Leilani Estates (2%) census-designated place; Nanawale Estates (1%) census-designated place
- Micro area
- Hilo-Kailua, HI
- House district
- HI-2 119th Congress
- State
- Hawaii
- Time zone
- Hawaii-Aleutian
- Land area
- 211.5 sq mi · 72 people per sq mi
Where is ZIP code 96778?
96778 centers on 19.428°, -155.089° and covers 211.5 square miles of land plus 10.6 of water. It borders 4 ZIP codes: 96760, 96771, 96785, 96749.
The map draws ZIP code areas only. For the streets inside 96778, open its center on OpenStreetMap.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 ZCTA cartographic boundaries and the 2023 Gazetteer (2020 ZCTAs); ZIP-to-county shares, Census places and House districts (119th Congress) from the Census 2020 relationship files (shares of land); metro area from the OMB delineation (July 2023); town name and time zone from simplemaps US ZIP Codes (CC BY 4.0).
How does 96778 compare with the rest of Hawaii County?
| Measure | 96778 | In Hawaii County | In HI |
|---|---|---|---|
| People (ACS 2020-2024) | 15,262 | 4th of 28 | 32nd of 97 |
| Median household income | $40k | 16th of 16 | 58th of 58 |
| Median home value | $274k | 19th of 20 | 68th of 70 |
Its median household income is higher than in 6% of U.S. residential ZIP codes, and it is denser than 49% of all U.S. residential ZIP codes. ZIP codes at the ACS caps ($250,000 or more for household income, $2,000,000 or more for home value) share the top rank.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (B01003, B19013, B25077); ranks by PlainZIP over residential ZIP codes (ZCTAs).
How many people live in 96778?
The 2020 Census counted 14,687 people in 96778; the ACS, which samples households over 2020-2024, estimates 15,262. Its boundary changed between the 2010 and 2020 censuses, so the two counts are not compared.
- People, ACS 2020-2024
- 15,262
- 2020 Census count
- 14,687
- Households
- 6,303
- Median age
- 47.5
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (B01003, B01002, B11001); 2020 Census (DHC P1); 2010 Census (SF1 P1).
Who lives in 96778?
Of the 15,262 people the ACS estimates in 96778, 19.5% are under 18 and 25.7% are 65 or older. The largest group by race and Hispanic origin is White (not Hispanic) (41.7%), then Other or two or more (34.0%).
- Under 1819.5%
- 18 to 6454.8%
- 65 and older25.7%
- White, not Hispanic41.7%
- Other or two or more34.0%
- Hispanic or Latino14.2%
- Asian, not Hispanic9.8%
- Black, not Hispanic0.4%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (B01001 age by sex, B03002 Hispanic or Latino origin by race); shares of the estimated population, small ZIP codes carry wide margins.
What do households in 96778 earn?
Median household income is $39,750 (ACS 2020-2024), the 16th highest of the 16 ranked ZIP codes in Hawaii County.
- Median household income
- $39,750±$9,671
- Income per person
- $23,087
- Below the poverty line
- 35.4%
- Unemployed (of the labor force)
- 12.1%
- Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree
- 20.1%
- Adjusted gross income per tax return, 2022
- $45,6986,040 returns; wages 63% of AGI (IRS)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024 and 2015-2019 5-year estimates (B19013, B19301, B17001, B23025, B15003; 2015-2019 dollars converted with the BLS CPI-U, 1.22699); IRS Statistics of Income, ZIP code data, tax year 2022 (adjusted gross income per return, filed under the address on the return).
What are homes worth in 96778?
FHFA's house price index for 96778, built from repeat sales and appraisals of the same homes, rose 71% from 2015 to 2025 and rose 52% from 2020 to 2025, and moved +5.7% in 2025.
- Median home value (owners' estimate)
- $273,800
- Median gross rent
- $1,293
- Homes owned by their occupants
- 79.8%
- Housing units
- 7,098
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (B25077, B25064, B25003, B25001); FHFA House Price Index, annual five-digit ZIP, updated 2026-03-31.
What businesses are in 96778?
132 business establishments had a location in this ZIP code in 2023, 43 more than in 2018; the most are in retail trade (ZIP Code Business Patterns).
- Retail trade28
- Accommodation and food services23
- Other services (except public administration)15
- Professional, scientific, and technical services12
- Health care and social assistance11
- Construction10
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ZIP Code Business Patterns 2023 and 2018 (establishments with paid employees, by the business's ZIP code).
Which ZIP codes are next to 96778?
| ZIP | Town | People | Household income | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96760 | Kurtistown | 4,261 | $103k | 8.9 mi |
| 96771 | Mountain View | 7,793 | $62k | 9.6 mi |
| 96785 | Volcano | 4,433 | $69k | 9.8 mi |
| 96749 | Keaau | 19,132 | $85k | 14.8 mi |
| 96720 | Hilo | 52,979 | $81k | 18.5 mi (near) |
| 96781 | Papaikou | 2,073 | $96k | 27.1 mi (near) |
| 96777 | Pahala | 1,822 | $65k | 28.2 mi (near) |
| 96783 | Pepeekeo | 2,251 | $77k | 28.7 mi (near) |
Source: PlainZIP from the Census 2020 ZCTA boundaries (shared edges) and internal points; figures ACS 2020-2024.