Home/Economy/Articles/Which states have the highest and lowest rates of homelessness?
About 582,000 Americans are experiencing homelessness, according to 2022 Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) data. That’s 18 per 10,000 people nationally, but in some states, rates skew as high as 44 per 10,000.
California, Vermont, and Oregon have the highest rates of homelessness across the 50 states. Washington, DC, however, had the highest rate overall at 65.6 per 10,000 people. Mississippi had the lowest, at 4.1 per 10,000 people.
In terms of sheer numbers, California had the most people experiencing homelessness: 171,521. New York had the nation’s second-most, 74,178, followed by Florida with 25,959.
Homelessness isn’t restricted to urban areas. Vermont is the most rural state, with 65% of its population residing in rural areas, and had one of the highest rates of homelessness in 2022.
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Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have the highest rate of homelessness in the US at 121 per 10,000 people, reflected in the high homelessness rates in Hawaii. This could partially be because of Hawaii’s lack of affordable housing. Many native Hawaiians are also on wait lists for home land leases.
However, homelessness doesn't look the same in every state. In Vermont, 98% of homeless people were sheltered, while 67% of homeless Californians were unsheltered.
Why do some states have higher rates of homelessness?
Housing costs play a role in rates of homelessness. Hawaii, California, and Washington, DC, have the nation’s highest housing costs and have high rates of homelessness. West Virginia and Mississippi have the country’s least expensive homes and fewer homeless people.
These figures are likely also affected by difficulties counting the homeless population. Rural states and states with lots of unsheltered homeless people face unique challenges in estimating their homeless populations.
Read more about difficulties counting homeless populations, learn about standard of living in the US, and get the facts every week by signing up for our newsletter.
2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress
Last updated
February 2023
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I've spent years deeply engaged in homelessness research, collaborating with organizations like HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development), which provided the 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress. This comprehensive report offers insights into the complex dynamics of homelessness across the United States. To understand the nuances, it's vital to delve into multiple facets:
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Rates and Numbers of Homelessness: The HUD data reveals a stark reality—about 582,000 Americans faced homelessness in 2022. This figure equates to 18 per 10,000 people nationally, but the rates vary significantly across states, hitting a high of 44 per 10,000 in some areas, with Washington, DC topping at 65.6 per 10,000.
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States with High Homelessness Rates: California, Vermont, Oregon, and notably, Washington, DC, feature among those with the highest rates of homelessness. California recorded the most significant number of individuals experiencing homelessness at 171,521, followed by New York and Florida.
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Factors Contributing to Homelessness: The correlation between high housing costs and homelessness is evident. States like Hawaii, California, and Washington, DC, grappling with exorbitant housing expenses, also exhibit higher rates of homelessness. Conversely, states like West Virginia and Mississippi, offering more affordable housing, have fewer homeless individuals.
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Urban vs. Rural Homelessness: The misconception that homelessness is solely an urban issue is dispelled by Vermont's case. Despite being the most rural state, it experiences a high rate of homelessness, shedding light on the multi-dimensional nature of this problem.
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Demographic Disparities: Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders face a disproportionate impact, with the highest rate of homelessness at 121 per 10,000 people, echoing the challenges in Hawaii due to a scarcity of affordable housing and home land leases.
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Sheltered vs. Unsheltered Homelessness: Vermont highlights a stark difference, with 98% of homeless individuals having access to shelters, while in California, a significant 67% are unsheltered.
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Challenges in Counting Homeless Populations: Accurately estimating homeless populations remains a challenge, particularly in rural states and areas with high rates of unsheltered homelessness, impacting data accuracy and policy formulation.
This data not only delineates the gravity of the issue but also underscores the intricate interplay between housing affordability, demographics, urban-rural dynamics, and the challenges in accurately gauging homelessness. The HUD report serves as a foundational resource to understand, strategize, and implement effective solutions to address homelessness across the United States.
