The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 96727 sells for about $654,395, or $338 per square foot.
Prices are up +4.2% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 112 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,782 a month.
ZIP 96727 — Honokaa
The Honokaa housing market remains stable with limited inventory and moderate price growth. High entry costs relative to local income levels continue to constrain transaction volume, making it a market primarily for long-term residents rather than speculative investors.
This ZIP is best suited for local families, agricultural workers, and those seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle away from major tourist hubs. It is less ideal for commuters requiring proximity to major employment centers or investors seeking high-yield, low-maintenance assets.
Median prices moved up 4.2% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 112 days on market with 7.5 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 96.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 4.1% · poverty 11.2% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 6.1%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 6.5%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 96727, Hawaii County HI
Honokaa generally experiences low levels of violent crime, consistent with rural Hawaii County trends. Property crime remains the primary concern for residents, though it is lower than in more urbanized parts of the island.
Schools serving the Honokaa area are part of the Hawaii Department of Education system, with Honokaa High and Intermediate School serving as the primary local anchor for secondary education.
The area faces risks from volcanic activity and vog (volcanic smog) due to its proximity to active volcanic zones on the Big Island. Tropical storm and heavy rainfall events are also significant climate considerations for property insurance.
Economic momentum is driven by local agriculture, tourism, and small-scale retail in the historic Honokaa town center. Infrastructure development is limited, focusing primarily on maintaining rural connectivity.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Hawaii) — Real Property Tax: Tax is calculated by applying county-specific tax rates to the assessed value of the property. The formula is (Assessed Value - Exemptions) * Tax Rate. Exemptions include homestead exemptions for owner-occupants, which vary by county.
Commuting from Honokaa typically involves travel along the Hawaii Belt Road (Highway 19) toward Hilo or Waimea. Public transit options are extremely limited, making personal vehicle ownership essential for employment access.
The area offers access to the Hamakua Coast's scenic lookouts, hiking trails, and proximity to Waipio Valley. Local amenities include historic town shopping, community parks, and nearby botanical gardens.
The rental market is characterized by limited inventory and high demand for long-term housing, often pressured by the local workforce and tourism-related short-term rentals. Vacancy rates remain low due to the scarcity of new residential construction.
The economy is anchored by agriculture, including macadamia nut and cattle operations, alongside small-business retail and tourism services. Employment is largely localized within the Hamakua district.
Parcels are subject to Hawaii County property tax assessments and standard state-level utility and school district oversight.
Property insurance premiums are elevated due to high exposure to natural hazards, including volcanic activity and wind damage. Market availability is constrained by the limited number of carriers operating in rural Hawaii.
Data retrieved from ZCTA-level ACS tables; figures represent 5-year averages.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Waipiʻo Valley Lookout4.78.2 mi
- Waipi'o Valley4.78.5 mi
- Kalōpā State Recreation Area4.74.2 mi
- W. M. Keck Observatory Headquarters4.710.8 mi
- Paniolo Heritage Center Hawaii's Cowboy Museum & Gift shop located Pukalani Stables.4.710.6 mi
- Waipiʻo Valley Lookout4.78.2 mi
- Waipi'o Valley4.78.5 mi
- Kalōpā State Recreation Area4.74.2 mi
- Ulu La‘au (Waimea Nature Park)4.611.3 mi
- Hāmākua Forest Reserve4.57.8 mi
- KTA Super Stores - Waimea4.510.9 mi
- Hawaiian Vanilla Co.4.85.8 mi
- Waimea Town Market at Parker School4.711 mi
- Parker Ranch Center4.410.9 mi
- Waimea Center4.410.9 mi
- Blue Hawaiian Helicopters4.924.6 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Historic venue serving as a cultural hub for the community.
Major regional attraction offering iconic views of the valley.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.