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HAWAII
Income & Poverty

Other facts sheets for Hawaii:

The data below describe the state rankings and selected characteristics of the immigrant and native-born populations in Hawaii in 2011.

Rankings
The following shows Hawaii's rankings in several categories. All rankings include the 50 states and the District of Columbia and are ranked highest to lowest.
  Rankings
Number of the foreign-born population living in poverty, 2011: 34 out of 51
Share of the foreign-born population living in poverty, 2011: 44 out of 51
Numeric change in the foreign-born population in poverty, 2000 to 2011: 40 out of 51
Percent change in the foreign-born population in poverty, 2000 to 2011: 47 out of 51

Data Highlights
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Who are the foreign born?
The term foreign born refers to people residing in the United States at the time of the census who were not US citizens at birth. The foreign-born population includes naturalized citizens, lawful permanent immigrants, refugees and asylees, legal nonimmigrants (including those on student, work, or other temporary visas), and persons residing in the country without authorization. By comparison, the term native refers to people residing in the United States who were US citizens in one of three categories: 1) people born in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia; 2) people born in United States Insular Areas such as Puerto Rico or Guam; or 3) people who were born abroad to at least one US citizen parent.

We use the terms immigrants and foreign born interchangeably.

Earnings of Full-Time Workers
(This sheet describes earnings of civilian employed workers)

In Hawaii in 2011, 29.8 percent of foreign-born workers earned less than $25,000 a year and 23.3 percent earned $50,000 or more.
In Hawaii in 2011, 7.2 percent of full-time, year-round, immigrant workers (those working more than 50 weeks a year and more than 35 hours per week) earned less than $15,000 a year; 45.4 percent earned between $15,000 and $35,000; 24.2 percent earned between $35,000 and $50,000; and 23.3 percent earned $50,000 or more. In comparison, 4.3 percent of full-time, year-round, native-born workers earned less than $15,000 a year; 29.1 percent earned between $15,000 and $35,000; 24.6 percent earned between $35,000 and $50,000; and 42.1 percent earned $50,000 or more.

At the national level, 9.8 percent of full-time, year-round, foreign-born workers earned less than $15,000 a year; 40.9 percent earned between $15,000 and $35,000; 16.6 percent earned between $35,000 and $50,000; and 32.6 percent earned $50,000 or more.

Median Earnings by Nativity and Gender

Male immigrant workers had average annual earnings of $37,563 compared to $30,777 for female immigrant workers.
Among full-time, year-round, foreign-born workers in Hawaii in 2011, median earnings over the previous 12 months were $30,777 for women and $37,563 for men. The median earnings of noncitizen women were $25,532 and those of noncitizen men were $31,765. In comparison, naturalized-citizen women had median earnings of $32,505 and naturalized-citizen men $40,340. Among full-time, year-round, native-born workers, median earnings during the comparable period were $40,544 for women and $47,521 for men.

At the national level, median earnings of full-time, year-round, foreign-born workers were $31,749 for women and $35,918 for men. The median earnings for noncitizen workers were $24,347 for women and $28,507 for men. Among naturalized-citizen workers, women had median earnings of $38,419 and men of $47,547. Among native-born workers, median earnings during the comparable period were $38,044 for women and $50,056 for men.

What Was the Poverty Threshold in 2011?
Whether any family is considered below the poverty threshold depends on the family's total income before taxes, not including any capital gains or noncash benefits, such as food stamps or housing subsidies.

The Census Bureau's poverty threshold varies depending on the number of adults and children in a family. The threshold is adjusted each month to account for inflation. Because respondents filled out the American Community Survey in different months, the poverty threshold that is applied to each family depends on the month in which the survey was taken.

To give a general idea of poverty levels, as defined by the Office of Management and Budget, the average poverty threshold for a family of four in 2011 was $23,021; for a family of three, $17,916; for a family of two, $ 14,657; and for an unrelated individual, $11,484. All members of a family are assigned the same poverty status. Poverty thresholds are the same for the entire United States, despite differences in the cost of living across US communities.
Population in Poverty

The immigrant population in Hawaii living below the federal poverty threshold changed by 22.6 percent between 2000 and 2011.
Between 2000 and 2011, the foreign-born population living in poverty went from 25,808 to 31,645, representing a change of 22.6 percent. In comparison, the foreign-born population living in poverty changed from 17,698 to 25,808 between 1990 and 2000, a difference of 45.8 percent.

At the national level, the immigrant population below the poverty threshold increased from 3,435,394 to 5,473,300 between 1990 and 2000, representing a change of 59.3 percent, and grew from 5,473,300 to 7,797,199 (42.5 percent) between 2000 and 2011.

In 2011, 13.1 percent of the foreign-born population lived below the poverty threshold.
In 2011, 13.1 percent of Hawaii's immigrant population lived below the poverty threshold, compared with 12.3 percent in 2000 and 11.0 percent in 1990. Meanwhile, 11.8 percent of the native-born population in Hawaii lived below the poverty threshold in 2011.

At the national level, 19.6 percent of the immigrants population lived below the poverty threshold in 2011, compared to 17.7 percent in 2000 and 17.9 percent in 1990. Nationally, 15.4 percent of the native-born population lived below the poverty threshold in 2011.

In Hawaii, 18.3 percent of noncitizens lived in poverty in 2011, compared to 9.0 percent of naturalized citizens.

Of the foreign-born population in Hawaii in 2011, 18.3 percent of noncitizens lived in poverty, compared to 9.0 percent of naturalized citizens.

Nationally, 26.3 percent of noncitizens lived in poverty in 2011, compared to 11.5 percent of naturalized citizens.

Families with Children in Poverty

In Hawaii, 11.4 percent of all foreign-born families lived below the poverty threshold.
In 2011, 11.4 percent of all families headed by an immigrant had incomes below the poverty threshold. At the same time, 13.7 percent of foreign-born families with children under 18 lived below the poverty threshold. Foreign-born families consisting of a married couple and children under 18 were less likely to live below the poverty threshold than families consisting of a female and children under 18 with no husband present (10.9 versus 23.1 percent).

In comparison, 7.8 percent of all families headed by a native-born person had incomes below the poverty threshold, as did 13.0 percent of native families with children under 18. As with foreign-born families, native families consisting of a married couple with children under 18 were less likely to be living in poverty than families headed by a female and children under 18 with no husband present (5.7 versus 33.9 percent).

At the national level, 18.5 percent of families headed by a foreign-born person had incomes below the poverty threshold in 2011, while 24.6 percent of foreign-born families with children under 18 lived below the poverty threshold. Foreign-born families consisting of a married couple and children under 18 were less likely to live below the poverty threshold than foreign-born families consisting of a female and children under 18 (17.9 versus 45.2 percent).

Language Groupings

Indo-European languages include French, Italian, Portuguese, German, Yiddish, other West Germanic languages, Scandinavian languages, Greek, Russian, Polish, Serbo-Croatian, other Slavic languages, Armenian, Persian, Gujarathi, Hindi, and Urdu.

Asian and Pacific Island languages include Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Mon-Khmer/Cambodian, Miao/Hmong, Thai, Laotian, Vietnamese, and Tagalog.

Other languages include Navajo, other Native North American languages, Hungarian, Arabic, Hebrew, and African languages.

Population in Poverty by Language Spoken at Home

In Hawaii, 13.2 percent of persons who spoke Spanish at home lived in poverty, compared to 14.6 percent of persons who spoke Asian or Pacific Island languages, and 11.5 percent of persons who spoke other Indo-European languages.
Of both native and foreign-born persons in Hawaii in 2011, 10.8 percent of those who spoke only English lived in poverty, compared to 13.2 percent of those who spoke Spanish at home, 11.5 percent who spoke other Indo-European languages, 14.6 percent who spoke Asian and Pacific Island languages, and 21.1 percent who spoke other languages.

Nationally, 13.6 percent of those who spoke only English lived in poverty, compared to 25.4 percent of those who spoke Spanish at home, 13.7 percent who spoke other Indo-European languages, 14.2 percent who spoke Asian and Pacific Island languages, and 26.7 percent who spoke other languages.




Table 1. Population by Poverty Status in Hawaii, 1990 to 2011
 

1990

2000

2011

  Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
Household Population of Hawaii for Whom Poverty Status Is Determined 1,067,782 100.0 1,184,607 100.0 1,338,543 100.0
Below 100 percent of the poverty level 85,086 8.0 129,119 10.9 161,290 12.0
100 to 149 percent of the poverty level 68,223 6.4 83,607 7.1 98,546 7.4
At or above 150 percent of the poverty level 914,473 85.6 971,881 82.0 1,078,707 80.6
Native Born 907,304 100.0 974,201 100.0 1,096,475 100.0
Below 100 percent of the poverty level 67,388 7.4 103,311 10.6 129,645 11.8
100 to 149 percent of the poverty level 57,530 6.3 67,293 6.9 78,542 7.2
At or above 150 percent of the poverty level 782,386 86.2 803,597 82.5 888,288 81.0
Foreign Born 160,478 100.0 210,406 100.0 242,068 100.0
Below 100 percent of the poverty level 17,698 11.0 25,808 12.3 31,645 13.1
100 to 149 percent of the poverty level 10,693 6.7 16,314 7.8 20,004 8.3
At or above 150 percent of the poverty level 132,087 82.3 168,284 80.0 190,419 78.7
 

Change 1990 to 2000

Change 1990 to 2011

Change 2000 to 2011

  Numeric Percent Numeric Percent Numeric Percent
Household Population of Hawaii for Whom Poverty Status Is Determined 116,825 10.9 270,761 25.4 153,936 13.0
Below 100 percent of the poverty level 44,033 51.8 76,204 89.6 32,171 24.9
100 to 149 percent of the poverty level 15,384 22.5 30,323 44.4 14,939 17.9
At or above 150 percent of the poverty level 57,408 6.3 164,234 18.0 106,826 11.0
Native Born 66,897 7.4 189,171 20.8 122,274 12.6
Below 100 percent of the poverty level 35,923 53.3 62,257 92.4 26,334 25.5
100 to 149 percent of the poverty level 9,763 17.0 21,012 36.5 11,249 16.7
At or above 150 percent of the poverty level 21,211 2.7 105,902 13.5 84,691 10.5
Foreign Born 49,928 31.1 81,590 50.8 31,662 15.0
Below 100 percent of the poverty level 8,110 45.8 13,947 78.8 5,837 22.6
100 to 149 percent of the poverty level 5,621 52.6 9,311 87.1 3,690 22.6
At or above 150 percent of the poverty level 36,197 27.4 58,332 44.2 22,135 13.2
Notes: Poverty status is not determined for unrelated individuals under age 15 (such as foster children) or for persons lacking conventional housing. 2. Data for Alaska, Maine, Montana, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia are from the US Census Bureau's pooled 2009-2011 ACS and for North Dakota and Wyoming are from 2007-2011 ACS. Data for the United States and the rest of the states are from 2011 ACS.
Sources: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS), various years (see Note 2 above); 2000 Decennial Census; Steven Ruggles, J. Trent Alexander, Katie Genadek, Ronald Goeken, Matthew B. Schroeder, and Matthew Sobek. Integrated Public Use Microdata Series: Version 5.0 [Machine-readable database]. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota, 2011.

For information about ACS methodology,sampling error, and nonsampling error, click here.

Table 2. Income and Poverty Characteristics of the Population in Hawaii, 2011
POVERTY STATUS BY CITIZENSHIP
Household Population of Hawaii for Whom Poverty Status Is Determined 1,338,543
Below 100 percent of the poverty level 12.0
100 to 199 percent of the poverty level 15.2
At or above 200 percent of the poverty level 72.8
Native Born 1,096,475
Below 100 percent of the poverty level 11.8
100 to 199 percent of the poverty level 14.7
At or above 200 percent of the poverty level 73.5
Foreign Born 242,068
Below 100 percent of the poverty level 13.1
100 to 199 percent of the poverty level 17.4
At or above 200 percent of the poverty level 69.5
Noncitizen 105,878
Below 100 percent of the poverty level 18.3
100 to 199 percent of the poverty level 20.9
At or above 200 percent of the poverty level 60.9
Naturalized Citizen 136,190
Below 100 percent of the poverty level 9.0
100 to 199 percent of the poverty level 14.8
At or above 200 percent of the poverty level 76.2
EARNINGS IN LAST 12 MONTHS OF FULL-TIME, YEAR-ROUND WORKERS
(IN 2011 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)
Full-Time, Year-Round Workers in Hawaii Age 16 And Older with Earnings, 2011 475,022
Earned $1 to $9,999, or loss 2.3
Earned $10,000 to $14,999 2.7
Earned $15,000 to $24,999 14.3
Earned $25,000 to $34,999 18.2
Earned $35,000 to $49,999 24.5
Earned $50,000 to $74,999 22.3
Earned $75,000 or more 15.8
Native Born 372,923
Earned $1 to $9,999, or loss 2.2
Earned $10,000 to $14,999 2.1
Earned $15,000 to $24,999 12.1
Earned $25,000 to $34,999 17
Earned $35,000 to $49,999 24.6
Earned $50,000 to $74,999 24.3
Earned $75,000 or more 17.8
Foreign Born 102,099
Earned $1 to $9,999, or loss 2.3
Earned $10,000 to $14,999 4.9
Earned $15,000 to $24,999 22.6
Earned $25,000 to $34,999 22.8
Earned $35,000 to $49,999 24.2
Earned $50,000 to $74,999 14.9
Earned $75,000 or more 8.4
Noncitizen 36,679
Earned $1 to $9,999, or loss 2.7
Earned $10,000 to $14,999 5.8
Earned $15,000 to $24,999 32.3
Earned $25,000 to $34,999 22.9
Earned $35,000 to $49,999 19.2
Earned $50,000 to $74,999 9.9
Earned $75,000 or more 7.1
Naturalized Citizen 65,420
Earned $1 to $9,999, or loss 2.1
Earned $10,000 to $14,999 4.3
Earned $15,000 to $24,999 17.1
Earned $25,000 to $34,999 22.7
Earned $35,000 to $49,999 26.9
Earned $50,000 to $74,999 17.7
Earned $75,000 or more 9.2
MEDIAN EARNINGS IN LAST 12 MONTHS OF FULL-TIME, YEAR-ROUND WORKERS
(IN 2011 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)
Full-Time, Year-Round Workers in Hawaii, 2011  
Male $45,494
Female $37,242
Native Born  
Male $47,521
Female $40,544
Foreign Born  
Male $37,563
Female $30,777
Noncitizen  
Male $31,765
Female $25,532
Naturalized Citizen  
Male $40,340
Female $32,505
SHARE OF FAMILIES IN POVERTY BY CITIZENSHIP AND FAMILY TYPE
All Families (Among Those for Whom Poverty Status Is Determined) 8.6
With related children under age 18 13.2
With related children under age 5 only 13.3
Married-couple families 5.2
With related children under age 18 7.0
With related children under age 5 only 4.5
Families with female householder, no husband present 21.6
With related children under age 18 31.5
With related children under age 5 only 39.4
Native-Born Families 7.8
With related children under age 18 13.0
With related children under age 5 only 13.9
Married-couple families 4.0
With related children under age 18 5.7
With related children under age 5 only 5.1
Families with female householder, no husband present 22.3
With related children under age 18 33.9
With related children under age 5 only 37.7
Foreign-Born Families 11.4
With related children under age 18 13.7
With related children under age 5 only 10.8
Married-couple families 10.0
With related children under age 18 10.9
With related children under age 5 only N
Families with female householder, no husband present 18.7
With related children under age 18 23.1
With related children under age 5 only 49.2
Noncitizen 18.7
With related children under age 18 25.1
With related children under age 5 only 19.7
Married-couple families 16.6
With related children under age 18 22.2
With related children under age 5 only N
Families with female householder, no husband present 30.3
With related children under age 18 35.6
With related children under age 5 only 60.7
Naturalized Citizen 8.2
With related children under age 18 7.4
With related children under age 5 only N
Married-couple families 7.2
With related children under age 18 4.4
With related children under age 5 only N
Families with female householder, no husband present 13.7
With related children under age 18 17.2
With related children under 5 age only N
MEDIAN EARNINGS IN LAST 12 MONTHS BY PERIOD OF ENTRY
(IN 2011 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)
Full-Time, Year-Round, Foreign-Born Workers in Hawaii, 2011  
Male $37,563
Female $30,777
Entered the United States in 2000 or Later  
Male $28,013
Female $25,460
Entered the United States between 1990 and 1999  
Male $37,100
Female $31,869
Entered the United States before 1990  
Male $40,964
Female $33,082
FOREIGN BORN IN POVERTY BY WORLD REGION OF BIRTH
Born in Africa N
Below 100 percent of the poverty level N
Born in Asia N
Below 100 percent of the poverty level N
Born in Europe 12,261
Below 100 percent of the poverty level 13.1
Born in Latin America (South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean) 10,936
Below 100 percent of the poverty level 12.1
Born in Northern America (Canada, Bermuda, Greenland, and St. Pierre and Miquelon) N
Below 100 percent of the poverty level N
Born in Oceania N
Below 100 percent of the poverty level N
Note: 1. Poverty status is not determined for unrelated individuals under age 15 (such as foster children) or for persons lacking conventional housing.

2. Data for Alaska, Maine, Montana, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia are from the US Census Bureau's pooled 2009-2011 ACS and for North Dakota and Wyoming are from 2007-2011 ACS. Data for the United States and the rest of the states are from 2011 ACS.

The letter N indicates that a number could not be provided by the Census Bureau because the number of sample cases was too small for this state.

Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS), different years.

For information about ACS methodology,sampling error, and nonsampling error, click here.

Table 3. Poverty Status of Residents in Hawaii by Language Spoken at Home, 2011
 
Number
Percent
Household Population of Hawaii for Whom Poverty Status Is Determined, Age 5 and Older 1,251,902 100.0
Below 100 percent of the poverty level 146,803 11.7
At or above 100 percent of the poverty level 1,105,099 88.3
Speaks Only English 936,308 100.0
Below 100 percent of the poverty level 101,528 10.8
At or above 100 percent of the poverty level 834,780 89.2
Speaks Spanish 25,298 100.0
Below 100 percent of the poverty level 3,347 13.2
At or above 100 percent of the poverty level 21,951 86.8
Speaks Other Indo-European Languages 16,894 100.0
Below 100 percent of the poverty level 1,951 11.5
At or above 100 percent of the poverty level 14,943 88.5
Speaks Asian or Pacific Island Languages 272,177 100.0
Below 100 percent of the poverty level 39,718 14.6
At or above 100 percent of the poverty level 232,459 85.4
Speaks Other Languages 1,225 100.0
Below 100 percent of the poverty level 259 21.1
At or above 100 percent of the poverty level 966 78.9
Note: Poverty status is not determined for unrelated individuals under the age of 15 (such as foster children) or for persons lacking conventional housing.

The letter N indicates that a number could not be provided by the Census Bureau because the number of sample cases was too small for this state.

Source: US Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey.
For information about ACS methodology,sampling error, and nonsampling error, click here.

For data on these topics, click on the link: