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Fern Forest, HI
Census-designated place in Hawaii County, Hawaii. ZIP codes: 96785.
Population
1,088
Land area
12.5sq mi
People per sq mi
87
ZIP codes
1
Fern Forest and its ZIP codes
Fern Forest at a glance
- Fern Forest is 61% less dense than Hawaii as a whole.
- Households here earn a median of $42,917 a year, 57% less than the Hawaii figure of $100,389.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $170,900 (80% below Hawaii).
Housing and community stats
Fern Forest, HI, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$42,917
Poverty rate
30.6%
Median home value
$170,900
Homeownership
89.5%
Bachelor's or higher
18.3%
Median age
51.4
Average commute
49.1 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Portuguese Americans (129), Irish Americans (107), Puerto Ricans (105).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Hawaii County. PPP loans are for Fern Forest.
Unemployment rate
3.5%
Sep 2026, +1.0 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$61,757
74,168 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$57,694
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$1.5B
FY 2026, $7,647 per person
How people get to work
Fern Forest, HI, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone70.5%
- Carpooled0.0%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked12.3%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home17.2%
Average one-way commute: 49.1 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Fern Forest, HI, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
Top: volcanic activity
Storm events since 1996
1,994
Countywide, mostly heavy rain
Flood insurance policies
1,215
1.8% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
77° / 56°F
229.1 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Fern Forest, HI, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
31.3%
U.S. 33.3% -2.0 pts
Diabetes
12.7%
U.S. 12.1% +0.6 pts
Smoking
17.6%
U.S. 12.8% +4.8 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
7.3%
U.S. 11.1% -3.8 pts
ZIP codes in Fern Forest
1 in or overlapping Fern Forest. Population shown
Cities near Fern Forest
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Eden RocCensus-designated place | 2.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Fern AcresCensus-designated place | 4.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Royal Hawaiian EstatesCensus-designated place | 4.2 mi | 2.9 |
| Mountain ViewCensus-designated place | 4.7 mi | 54.9 |
| Mauna Loa EstatesCensus-designated place | 6.5 mi | 1.8 |
| Hawaiian AcresCensus-designated place | 6.5 mi | 19.4 |
| KurtistownCensus-designated place | 8.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Tiki GardensCensus-designated place | 9.2 mi | 1.7 |
| AinaloaCensus-designated place | 9.4 mi | 2 |
| Orchidlands EstatesCensus-designated place | 9.8 mi | 9.7 |
| Volcano Golf CourseCensus-designated place | 10 mi | 0.9 |
| VolcanoCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 26.7 |
| Black SandsCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 0.5 |
| KeaauCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 6.3 |
| PahoaCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 2.2 |
| KalapanaCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 1.5 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Fern Forest, HI in?
- Fern Forest is in Hawaii County, Hawaii.
- What ZIP codes are in Fern Forest, HI?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Fern Forest include 96785.
- What is the population of Fern Forest, HI?
- About 1,088 people live in Fern Forest, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Fern Forest?
- Nearby places include Eden Roc (2.5 mi), Fern Acres (4.1 mi), Royal Hawaiian Estates (4.2 mi), Mountain View (4.7 mi), Mauna Loa Estates (6.5 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023