Keaau

Keaʻau (also written as Keaau) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Hawaiʻi County, Hawaii, United States located in the District of Puna. The population was 1,195 at the 2020 census. The population decreased by 12.1% from 2,253 at the 2010 census.[2]

Keaʻau is on the east side of the island of Hawaiʻi at 19°37′16″N 155°2′30″W  /  19.62111°N 155.04167°W  / 19.62111; -155.04167 (19.621072, -155.041706).[3] It is bordered to the southwest by Kurtistown. Hilo is 8 miles (13 km) to the north. The junction of Hawaii Route 11 (the Hawaii Belt Road) and Hawaii Route 130 (Keaau-Pahoa Road) is in the northern part of the community. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 2.6 square miles (6.7 km2), all of it land.[4]

The Board on Geographic Names officially designated the populated place as Keaʻau in 2003.[5]

At the 2010 census there were 2,253 people in 701 households residing in the CDP. The population density was 901.2 people per square mile (352.0/km2). There were 757 housing units at an average density of 302.8 per square mile (118.3/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 12.38% White, 0.22% African American, 0.18% American Indian & Alaska Native, 52.02% Asian, 7.50% Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 27.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.74%.[2][7]

Of the 701 households, 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them. The average household size was 3.21.[2]

In the Keaʻau CDP the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 9.6% from 25 to 34, 19.6 from 35 to 49, 20.4% from 50 to 64, and 17.2% 65 or older. For every 100 females, there were 99.6 males. For every 100 males there were 100.4 females.[2]

The median household income was $39,722 and the median family income in 2000 was $43,347. Males had a median income in 2000 of $27,344 versus $23,287 for females. The per capita income for the CDP in 2000 was $14,657. About 9.6% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line in 2000, including 14.9% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.