Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,787 people, 620 households, and 456 families residing in the CDP. The population density was . There were 676 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the CDP was 12.7% White, 0.1% African American, 0.2% Native American, 43.0% Asian, 12.3% Pacific Islander, 1.1% from other races, and 30.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.2% of the population.
There were 620 households, out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.3% were non-families. 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.27.
In the CDP the population was spread out, with 26.1% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 22.4% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.8 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $44,398, and the median income for a family was $46,591. Males had a median income of $38,542 versus $26,513 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $18,778. About 8.1% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.2% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.
Culture
Every February Waimea hosts a celebration of Hawaiian culture at the Waimea Town Celebration. The festival began in 1978 and has become a nine-day event. Activities include a celebration of Kaumuali‘iu, Kaua‘i's last king, a film festival, several concerts, a lei-making contest for paniolo (cowboy) hats, a rodeo, a canoe race, and numerous other sporting events.
The Historic Waimea Theater opened on September 2, 1938, and is one of only two remaining movie theaters on Kaua‘i. The theater was damaged by Hurricane Iniki in 1992, and the owner planned to tear it down. West Kaua‘i Main Street leased the building in 1993 and began to restore the theater. The County of Kaua‘i purchased the building in 1996, and in August 1999, it reopened to the public under the management of West Kauai Business & Professional Association.
Education
thumb|[[Waimea High School]]
Hawaii has one statewide school district, Hawaii State Department of Education. Waimea has two public schools: Waimea Canyon Middle School and Waimea High School (the westernmost high school in the United States).
Hawaii State Public Library System operates the Waimea Library.
See also
- Hofgaard Park, Waimea, Kauaʻi