Senator Brian Schatz, Democratic from Hawaii

Brian Schatz

State of Hawaii

Hawaii Senate Intelligence

Brian Schatz sits in one of the safest Democratic seats in the country, with Hawaii’s D+41 lean and a coalition anchored by an unusually diverse electorate where Asians make up 36.9% of residents. Fourteen years in office and slots on Appropriations, Commerce, and Foreign Relations make him less a local retail politician than a well-networked policy operator. The state’s politics are shaped less by partisan competition than by balancing Native Hawaiian concerns, federal dependence, and the high-cost realities of island life.

For advocates, the opening is to frame issues through affordability and resilience, not ideology. Hawaii’s $100,389 median income masks intense cost pressure, with home values at $839,100 making economic security a live issue even in a blue state. Schatz is receptive to campaigns tying health, technology, infrastructure, or climate to federal investment and local capacity, especially if they respect indigenous stakeholders and show practical benefits for an isolated, import-dependent state.

Senator Brian Schatz represents 1,445,235 residents of Hawaii. The state has estimated median household income of $100,389 and unemployment rate of 4.9%.

Economic & Demographic Snapshot

1,445,235Population
↓ 5,354
$100,389Median Incomenat'l $37,585
↑ $5,575
4.9%Unemploymentnat'l 3.5%
↓ 0.2%
6.8%Poverty Ratenat'l 12.4%
↑ 0.3%
63.0%Homeownershipnat'l 65.5%
→ no change
$1,971Median Rentnat'l $1,163
↑ $103
3.8%Public Transitnat'l 5%
→ no change
26.2 minMean Commutenat'l 26.4 min
↓ 0.4 min

Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2017-2021 vs. 2019-2023). All figures are statistical estimates with 90% confidence level.

Hawaii State Demographics

Median Age 40.9 (vs 38.5) · Homeownership 63% (vs 65.5%) · Bachelor’s+ 36.1% (vs 33.7%) · Poverty 6.8% (vs 12.4%) · Income $100,389 (vs $37,585)

Key Issues for This District
Immigration policyRent burden

Age Distribution

Skews older than the national average (median age 40.9 vs 38.5 nationally). The largest age cohort is 30–39 at 13.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

A majority-minority district. Also significant: White (22.1%).

* Hispanic includes respondents of any race. Racial categories include both Hispanic and non-Hispanic individuals.

Education

36.1% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, above the 33.7% national average.

Income Distribution

Median household income is $100,389, well above the $37,585 national median.

Housing

Homeownership at 63% (vs 65.5% nationally). Median rent is $1,971. Median home value is $839,100.

How People Get to Work

65.2% drive alone. Average commute is 26.2 minutes.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates
Data represents 5-year statistical estimates for increased reliability.

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