Kauai County, officially known as the County of Kauai, is a county in the U.S. state of Hawaii. It encompasses the islands of Kauai, Niihau, Lehua, and Kaula. According to the 2020 Census, the population was 73,298. The county seat is Līhue. The Kapa'a Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Kauai County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1266 sqmi, of which 620 sqmi is land and 646 sqmi (51.0%) is water. The Pacific Ocean surrounds the county.

Adjacent entities

National protected areas

Government and politics

Kauai County operates under a mayor-council form of municipal government. The Mayor of Kauai, elected by the voters on a nonpartisan basis, holds executive authority for a four-year term. Meanwhile, legislative authority is vested in the seven-member County Council. Members of the County Council are elected on a nonpartisan, at-large basis to two-year terms.

United States Congress

Kauai County, like the rest of Hawaii, is represented entirely by Democrats in both the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives.

Hawaii Legislature

Hawaii Senate

Hawaii House of Representatives

Elections

Federal

Kauai County has traditionally been a solid Democratic stronghold. The county has not voted Republican since the 1984 federal election, when it narrowly voted in favor of Ronald Reagan. In 2024, while it still voted majority Democratic, Kauai County cast the highest percentage of its vote for the Republican candidate out of any county in the state, a record that has generally been held by Honolulu County. This was the first time since 1960 that the county held this distinction.

Demographics

At the 2000 census there were 58,463 people, 20,183 households, and 14,572 families in the county. The population density was 94 /mi2. There were 25,331 housing units at an average density of 41 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 36.0% Asian, 29.5% White, 23.8% from two or more races, 9.1% Pacific Islander, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American and 0.9% from other races. 8.2%. were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 20,183 households 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were non-families. 21.4% of households were one person and 7.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.34. The age distribution was 26.4% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 100.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.50 males.

Economy

Top employers

According to the county's 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the top non-government employers in the county are the following:

Education

Higher education

Kauai Community College is the county's only institution of higher education. One of the ten branches of the University of Hawaiʻi system, it offers a range of 2-year degrees and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Primary and Secondary Education

Public schools in the county are operated by the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, and the county is represented by Maggie Cox on the state's Board of Education. There are 10 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 3 high schools, and 5 K-12 schools in the county.

High schools

Middle schools

Elementary schools

K-12 Schools

Private schools

There are five private schools in the county: Island School, Kahili Adventist School, St. Catherine's School, St. Theresa's Elementary School, and ʻŌlelo Christian Academy.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Lihue Airport serves the island of Kauai. Bus service is provided by The Kauai Bus.

Communities

There are no incorporated communities in Kauai County, or in any other county of Hawaii. The county is the only form of local government in the State of Hawaii.

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated places

Sister cities

Kauai County's sister cities are: