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California
171,521
New York
74,178
Florida
25,959
Washington
25,211
Texas
24,432
Oregon
17,959
Massachusetts
15,507
Arizona
13,553
Pennsylvania
12,691
Georgia
10,689
Ohio
10,654
Tennessee
10,567
Colorado
10,397
North Carolina
9,382
Illinois
9,212
New Jersey
8,752
Michigan
8,206
Minnesota
7,917
Nevada
7,618
Louisiana
7,373
Virginia
6,529
Missouri
5,992
Hawaii
5,967
Indiana
5,449
Maryland
5,349
Wisconsin
4,775
Maine
4,411
District of Columbia
4,410
Kentucky
3,984
Oklahoma
3,754
Alabama
3,752
South Carolina
3,608
Utah
3,557
Connecticut
2,930
Vermont
2,780
New Mexico
2,560
Arkansas
2,459
Iowa
2,419
Kansas
2,397
Delaware
2,369
Alaska
2,320
Nebraska
2,246
Idaho
1,998
New Hampshire
1,605
Montana
1,585
Rhode Island
1,577
South Dakota
1,389
West Virginia
1,375
Mississippi
1,196
Wyoming
648
North Dakota
610

Homeless Population by State 2024

Homeless Population by State 2024

In the United States, there are over half a million people experiencing homelessness. These individuals live in a temporary shelter or transitional housing or sleep in a place not meant for habitation (like an abandoned building). The top four causes of homelessness, in order, are lack of affordable housing, unemployment, poverty, and low wages.

Overall, 66.7% of the total homeless population of the United States is single individuals, with the remaining 33.3% being families. In recent years, homelessness increased nationally by almost one percent. This number comprises unaccompanied children and young adults, single adults experiencing chronic homelessness, and people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Some populations have seen a decrease in homelessness. Dramatic reductions are among families and the veteran community.

State
Homeless Rate
District of Columbia65.80
California43.70
Vermont43.10
Oregon42.30
Hawaii41.40
New York37.70
Washington32.60
Maine32.10
Alaska31.70
Nevada24.20

The state of California currently has the highest homeless population, with about 161,548 homeless people. This number represents 27.89% of the total homeless population in the United States. This figure is attributed to issues with providing affordable and adequate housing opportunities, current drug laws, and the inaccessibility of important mental health resources.

The state with the second-highest homeless population is New York. With 15.76% of the nation’s homelessness, New York has 91,271 homeless people. The majority of these people are located in New York City. In recent years, homelessness in this city reached the highest levels since the Great Depression in the 1930s, reaching its highest point under Mayor Bill de Blasio. However, this year saw the second year in the decline of the homeless or unsheltered population, attributed to the creation of safe havens, or specialized shelters, that have a streamlined process of getting people into permanent housing. As of November 2022, there were 67,150 homeless people in NYC.

The state with the lowest percentage of the homeless population is experiencing an increase as well. Due to an oil and gas boom, North Dakota now has the fastest-growing economy. With this comes a rush of people coming to the state for work, but surging housing prices has made it difficult to find a home. For a state-by-state look at homeless statistics, take a look at the table below. Data from this table was retrieved from the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.

Homeless Population by State 2024

  • Total homeless populations are made up of two general groups: adults or youths who live by themselves, and those who live in family units that include at least one adult and one youth.
  • Additional sub-groups tracked include veterans, unaccompanied homeless youths, and chronically homeless individuals. These subgroups' numbers do not add to the totals because they are already included in one of the two main groups.

Download Table Data

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State
Total Homeless
Homeless Rate (per 10k)
Chronically Homeless
People In Family Units
Solo Individuals
Unaccompanied Youths
Veterans
District of Columbia4,41065.801,2571,0043,406360208
California171,52143.7057,76025,538145,9839,59010,395
Vermont2,78043.103988571,923145100
Oregon17,95942.306,4473,37314,5861,0661,460
Hawaii5,96741.401,4951,4884,479184306
New York74,17837.705,99434,80539,3732,762990
Washington25,21132.607,3766,48618,7251,8021,569
Maine4,41132.105001,9542,457209243
Alaska2,32031.705765601,760186134
Nevada7,61824.202,7527986,820376752
Delaware2,36923.601961,3041,0656593
Massachusetts15,50722.201,5589,9765,531365534
Arizona13,55318.602,4762,84610,707917857
Colorado10,39717.903,4662,1518,246453738
Louisiana7,37315.903974,3143,059191322
South Dakota1,38915.501314189718240
Tennessee10,56715.101,6532,3608,207518549
Montana1,58514.403434231,162104172
Rhode Island1,57714.404215061,07161113
Minnesota7,91713.901,7732,9604,957604290
New Mexico2,56012.107147741,78614091
Florida25,95911.904,2336,44019,5191,0112,279
New Hampshire1,60511.603415411,06488127
Nebraska2,24611.405225741,672121145
Wyoming64811.20831904586468
Utah3,55710.707221,0782,479189155
Idaho1,99810.502387651,23384149
Georgia10,6899.901,3542,7847,905479664
Pennsylvania12,6919.801,7594,8307,861579778
Missouri5,9929.701,1451,6804,312466476
New Jersey8,7529.401,5212,9455,807438479
Oklahoma3,7549.401,2477882,966374273
Ohio10,6549.001,0233,2147,440703633
North Carolina9,3828.901,6972,7306,652415687
Kentucky3,9848.806709932,991223328
Maryland5,3498.708991,7583,591232303
Texas24,4328.304,8125,85318,5791,2261,711
Kansas2,3978.204656431,754126218
Michigan8,2068.201,0043,3024,904451498
Arkansas2,4598.103763282,13125192
Connecticut2,9308.101179232,007113149
Wisconsin4,7758.105101,8892,886228341
Indiana5,4498.004701,5233,926267482
North Dakota6107.901701714393637
West Virginia1,3757.702041371,238135122
Iowa2,4197.603937531,666124141
Virginia6,5297.601,1422,2954,234270392
Alabama3,7527.405391,2702,482169308
Illinois9,2127.301,3412,9686,244628524
South Carolina3,6087.006988662,742211359
Mississippi1,1964.101051051,091126139
showing: 51 rows

Homeless Population by State 2024

Sources