Hilo, HI Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Hilo, HI

Is Hilo safe to live in or visit?

Hilo earns an overall crime grade of D+, which signals that safety is a genuine concern worth understanding before you move or visit. With a population of approximately 45,248 and a poverty rate of 17% — notably higher than the national average — economic pressures do contribute to crime patterns here. That said, Hilo is far from uniformly dangerous. Property crime, particularly theft, accounts for the majority of incidents, while violent crime rates are lower in proportion. Neighborhoods closer to the Hilo Bayfront and the Wailoa River State Recreation Area corridor tend to see fewer serious incidents than higher-density commercial zones. Practicing standard precautions — locking vehicles, not leaving valuables visible, staying aware in unfamiliar areas after dark — meaningfully reduces your personal risk.

What is the crime rate in Hilo, and how does it compare?

Hilo's overall crime grade of D+ places it in the lower tier of safety rankings when measured against similarly sized U.S. cities. Property crimes drive this grade more than violent offenses. With an unemployment rate of 6.2% — above the national norm — and a poverty rate of 17%, the socioeconomic conditions that correlate with higher property crime rates are present. However, context matters: Hilo's population density is relatively low at just 325 residents per square mile, which tends to reduce the concentration of crime hotspots compared to denser urban areas. The median household income of $65,727 and a median home value of $340,935 reflect a community with real economic investment, and many residents report feeling safe in their immediate neighborhoods day-to-day.

Which neighborhoods in Hilo are considered safest?

While Hilo's overall grade is D+, crime is not evenly distributed across the city. Residential areas such as Keaukaha — a tight-knit community on the eastern edge of Hilo — and quieter suburban pockets near Wainaku and upper Kaumana tend to report lower incident frequencies on the crime map. These areas benefit from lower population density and stronger neighborhood cohesion. By contrast, portions of the downtown corridor and areas near high-traffic commercial strips show higher concentrations of property crime incidents. Tourist-frequented zones around Old Hilo Town and the Hilo Farmers Market see mostly opportunistic theft rather than violent crime, but visitors should still keep belongings secured. Always cross-reference the interactive crime map for the most current incident clustering before making housing or travel decisions.

What types of crime are most common in Hilo?

Property crime is the dominant category driving Hilo's D+ overall grade. Theft — including vehicle break-ins and shoplifting — represents the largest share of reported incidents, consistent with areas that have elevated poverty rates (17% in Hilo's case) and moderate unemployment (6.2%). Burglary incidents are more concentrated in certain residential pockets than others, making neighborhood-level map review especially valuable. Violent crimes such as assault do occur but represent a smaller proportion of total incidents, and homicide rates remain very low for a community of this size. Vandalism and drug-related offenses also appear regularly in incident reports, particularly in areas with higher transient foot traffic. Understanding this breakdown — property crime as the primary risk, violent crime as secondary — helps residents and visitors calibrate their precautions appropriately.

Is Hilo a good place to live despite its crime grade?

A D+ crime grade is an important data point, but it is one factor among many in assessing livability. Hilo offers a median household income of $65,727, a median home value of $340,935 — relatively affordable by Hawaii standards — and a median rent of just $1,098, making it one of the more financially accessible communities in the state. The city's low population density (325 per sq mi), proximity to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and strong cultural identity contribute to a quality of life that many residents value highly. The 17% poverty rate and 6.2% unemployment rate do present real challenges that the community is working to address. For prospective residents, the practical takeaway is this: choose your neighborhood carefully using the crime map, invest in basic home security, and engage with local neighborhood watch programs. Many long-term Hilo residents report that informed awareness, not avoidance, is the key to thriving here.