Homeless Population by State 2024
California has the highest homeless population among U.S. states. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) counted around 582,000 Americans experiencing homelessness in 2022, which is about 18 per 10,000 people in the US. This number increased by about 2,000 people from 2020.
California, Vermont, and Oregon are the top three states for homelessness, with the highest rates being in California, Vermont, and Oregon. Homelessness is a significant issue in America due to longstanding policies that have hindered the construction of enough affordable housing. Major cities like New York City and Los Angeles have particularly high homeless populations, with nearly one-quarter of all unhoused individuals in the U.S. residing in these cities alone. In 2023, the homeless population in the United States increased, with over 653,104 people experiencing homelessness, a rise of more than 12% compared to 2022.
Top 10 Highest Homeless Population by State 2024 :
- California: 171,521
- New York: 74,178
- Washington: 25,211
- Florida: 25,959
- Massachusetts: 15,507
- Oregon: 17,959
- Arizona: 13,553
- Pennsylvania: 12,691
- Georgia: 10,689
- Ohio: 10,654
Top 10 Lowest Homeless Population by State 2024 :
- North Dakota: 610
- Mississippi: 1,196
- Wyoming: 648
- West Virginia: 1,375
- Rhode Island: 1,577
- South Dakota: 1,389
- New Hampshire: 1,605
- Montana: 1,585
- Vermont: 2,780
- Delaware: 2,369
Homeless Population by State 2024
State | Total Homeless | Homeless Rate (per 10k) |
---|---|---|
District of Columbia | 4,410 | 65.80 |
California | 171,521 | 43.70 |
Vermont | 2,780 | 43.10 |
Oregon | 17,959 | 42.30 |
Hawaii | 5,967 | 41.40 |
New York | 74,178 | 37.70 |
Washington | 25,211 | 32.60 |
Maine | 4,411 | 32.10 |
Alaska | 2,320 | 31.70 |
Nevada | 7,618 | 24.20 |
Delaware | 2,369 | 23.60 |
Massachusetts | 15,507 | 22.20 |
Arizona | 13,553 | 18.60 |
Colorado | 10,397 | 17.90 |
Louisiana | 7,373 | 15.90 |
South Dakota | 1,389 | 15.50 |
Tennessee | 10,567 | 15.10 |
Montana | 1,585 | 14.40 |
Rhode Island | 1,577 | 14.40 |
Minnesota | 7,917 | 13.90 |
New Mexico | 2,560 | 12.10 |
Florida | 25,959 | 11.90 |
New Hampshire | 1,605 | 11.60 |
Nebraska | 2,246 | 11.40 |
Wyoming | 648 | 11.20 |
Utah | 3,557 | 10.70 |
Idaho | 1,998 | 10.50 |
Georgia | 10,689 | 9.90 |
Pennsylvania | 12,691 | 9.80 |
Missouri | 5,992 | 9.70 |
New Jersey | 8,752 | 9.40 |
Oklahoma | 3,754 | 9.40 |
Ohio | 10,654 | 9.00 |
North Carolina | 9,382 | 8.90 |
Kentucky | 3,984 | 8.80 |
Maryland | 5,349 | 8.70 |
Texas | 24,432 | 8.30 |
Kansas | 2,397 | 8.20 |
Michigan | 8,206 | 8.20 |
Arkansas | 2,459 | 8.10 |
Connecticut | 2,930 | 8.10 |
Wisconsin | 4,775 | 8.10 |
Indiana | 5,449 | 8.00 |
North Dakota | 610 | 7.90 |
West Virginia | 1,375 | 7.70 |
Iowa | 2,419 | 7.60 |
Virginia | 6,529 | 7.60 |
Alabama | 3,752 | 7.40 |
Illinois | 9,212 | 7.30 |
South Carolina | 3,608 | 7.00 |
Mississippi | 1,196 | 4.10 |
SAFEST STATE IN THE US 2024 ( https://usadatahub.com/safest-state-in-the-us-2024/ )
CRIME RATE BY STATE 2024 ( https://usadatahub.com/crime-rate-by-state-2024/ )
FAQ: Homelessness
1. Which city has the highest homeless rate in the world? Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, currently has the highest number of homeless people in the world, estimated to be around 4.5 million.
2. Why is homelessness so high in the US? Homelessness in the US has been attributed to several factors, but the shortage of affordable housing and high housing costs are considered the most significant. Many Americans live paycheck to paycheck, making them vulnerable to homelessness when facing a crisis.
3. Is homelessness increasing in the USA? Yes, homelessness has been on the rise in the USA in recent years. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the number of homeless people on a given night in January 2023 was over 650,000. This increase is largely due to a severe housing shortage and rising home prices.
4. How did homelessness start in America? Homelessness became a national issue in the 1870s, facilitated by factors such as urbanization, industrialization, and mobility, along with the construction of the national railroad system. Tramps “riding the rails” in search of jobs were among the first visible manifestations of homelessness.
5. Is $70K enough to live in NYC? It’s possible for a single person to live comfortably on $70,000 per year in New York City, especially if they don’t reside in an expensive part of the city and are savvy with their finances. However, living expenses can vary greatly, and individuals may need to adjust their lifestyles accordingly.
These FAQs provide insights into various aspects of homelessness, including its prevalence, causes, and implications, offering valuable information for those seeking to understand and address this societal issue.
Homeless Population by State 2024
Sources :
“Facts about Homelessness”. Coalition For The Homeless. Retrieved 2024-01-03. https://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org
Homelessness in New York City Updated December 2023 https://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NYC-Homeless-Shelter-Population-Charts-10-2023.pdf
The Journey Home. The City of New York. https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dhs/downloads/pdf/the-journey-home-2019-print-web.pdf
“State of the Homeless 2020.” Coalition for the Homeless. Chart 6. https://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/StateofTheHomeless2020.pdf
“State of the Homeless 2020.” Coalition for the Homeless. Chart 7. https://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/StateofTheHomeless2020.pdf
“NYC Department of Homeless Services” (PDF). Nyc.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 26, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2012. https://www.nyc.gov
“San Francisco’s homeless count reveals drop in chronic homelessness | Bay City News | Local | San Francisco Examiner”. Sfexaminer.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2012. https://www.sfexaminer.com
“Recordsetting homelessness in New York City – World Socialist Web Site”. Wsws.org. April 26, 2011. Retrieved August 1, 2013. https://www.wsws.org
“DHS – Homebase”. Nyc.gov. October 3, 2014. Retrieved March 28, 2017. https://www.nyc.gov
“Homebase Provider NYC Map” (PDF). 1.nyc.gov. Retrieved March 28, 2017. https://www1.nyc.gov