The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 96728 sells for about $650,000, or $485 per square foot.
Prices are up +3.2% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 72 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $2,400 a month.
ZIP 96728 — Honomu
The housing market in 96728 remains stable with low inventory and steady price appreciation. Limited sales volume reflects the rural nature of the area, where properties are often held long-term. Market conditions are driven by lifestyle buyers and limited new construction.
This ZIP code is best suited for those seeking a rural, quiet lifestyle, including retirees and remote workers who prioritize natural surroundings over proximity to urban amenities. It is less ideal for commuters or those requiring frequent access to major retail and professional services.
Median prices moved up 3.2% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 72 days on market with 7.0 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 97.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 4.1% · poverty 9.8% — 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 8.4%/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 5.9%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 96728, Hawaii
Crime rates in this rural Hawaii ZIP code are generally low compared to state and national averages, with property crime being the primary concern. Local trends remain stable with minimal fluctuations in reported incidents.
Public schools serving this area are part of the Hawaii Department of Education, which operates as a single statewide district. Educational quality is generally considered consistent with rural island standards, though access to specialized programs may be limited.
The area faces significant exposure to tropical storms, high winds, and potential volcanic activity depending on specific location. Property insurance premiums are high due to these environmental risks and the remote nature of the geography.
Economic momentum is driven primarily by tourism, agriculture, and local services. Development is constrained by geographic isolation and land-use regulations, with limited large-scale infrastructure projects currently underway.
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 is primarily by private vehicle, with long drive times to major employment hubs in larger island towns. Public transit options are extremely limited or non-existent in this rural area.
The area offers significant access to outdoor recreation, including hiking trails, coastal access, and nature preserves. Shopping and dining options are sparse, typically requiring travel to larger regional centers.
The rental market is tight with limited inventory, often influenced by the demand for long-term housing versus short-term vacation rentals. Vacancy rates are low, and rent growth has been steady.
The local economy is heavily reliant on agriculture, small-scale tourism, and government services. Employment opportunities are concentrated in nearby larger towns.
Transportation is almost entirely dependent on personal vehicles due to the lack of public transit infrastructure. Road networks are limited to primary highways connecting rural communities.
Development is focused on small-scale residential improvements and agricultural land management. There are no major commercial or infrastructure projects currently in the pipeline.
The Hawaii County Real Property Tax Division manages assessments, which are updated annually based on market value and property use classification.
Parcels are subject to county-level property taxes and state-level school funding, with no significant MUD or PID structures common in mainland US.
Property insurance is challenging to secure due to high hazard risks, including volcanic activity and tropical storms. Premiums are among the highest in the nation.
Hawaii experiences modest net domestic migration, with a balance between residents moving to the mainland and newcomers arriving for lifestyle or employment reasons.
Hawaii is a judicial foreclosure state, requiring court intervention for the foreclosure process, which generally results in longer timelines for lenders.
Sellers are required to provide a comprehensive disclosure statement regarding the condition of the property, including any known material defects.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA 96728 profile.
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.
- Escape Hilo510 mi
- Countryside Cafe (Kea'au Location)4.517.6 mi
- WSW Steakhouse Restaurant | Whiskey Steak Wine3.910.1 mi
- Palace Theater4.710.1 mi
- Lam's Garden4.310.2 mi
- ʻAkaka Falls State Park4.62.9 mi
- Hawai‘i Tropical Botanical Garden4.84.1 mi
- Kaūmana Caves4.712.5 mi
- Richardson Ocean Park4.711.2 mi
- Liliʻuokalani Gardens4.710.2 mi
- Imiloa Astronomy Center4.511.6 mi
- Pacific Tsunami Museum4.410 mi
- Lyman Museum4.810.2 mi
- Mokupāpapa Discovery Center4.79.9 mi
- Wailoa Art Center4.710.5 mi
- ʻAkaka Falls State Park4.62.9 mi
- Hawai‘i Tropical Botanical Garden4.84.1 mi
- Carlsmith Beach Park4.710.8 mi
- Kaūmana Caves4.712.5 mi
- Richardson Ocean Park4.711.2 mi
- Hilo Farmer's Market4.410.2 mi
- Safeway4.312 mi
- KTA Super Stores - Puainako4.412.4 mi
- Suisan Fish Market4.610.3 mi
- Island Naturals Market & Deli4.411.1 mi
- Hilo International Airport4.411.3 mi
- Blue Hawaiian Helicopters4.811.5 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Provides access to hiking and scenic natural landscapes.
Public access to beaches and shoreline areas.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.