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New York
468
Hawaii
451
California
415
Oregon
347
Washington
293
Alaska
266
Massachusetts
258
Nevada
215
Vermont
172
Colorado
168
New Mexico
158
Maine
150
Arizona
147
Minnesota
139
Montana
136
Nebraska
122
Florida
121
New Hampshire
119
Idaho
117
South Dakota
115
Delaware
113
Missouri
106
Wyoming
105
New Jersey
104
Pennsylvania
103
Maryland
103
Tennessee
102
Rhode Island
101
Oklahoma
97
Georgia
93
Utah
91
Ohio
91
Texas
89
Kentucky
89
Michigan
86
North Carolina
86
Illinois
84
Kansas
83
Iowa
83
Indiana
82
Connecticut
80
South Carolina
80
Arkansas
77
Wisconsin
76
West Virginia
76
Louisiana
70
North Dakota
69
Virginia
68
Alabama
66
Mississippi
38

Homeless Population by State [Updated May 2022]

Homeless Population by State [Updated May 2022]

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 amongst families and the veteran community.

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.

Here are the 10 states with the most homeless people per 100k population:

  1. New York - 468
  2. Hawaii - 451
  3. California - 415
  4. Oregon - 347
  5. Washington - 293
  6. Alaska - 266
  7. Massachusetts - 258
  8. Nevada - 215
  9. Vermont - 172
  10. Colorado - 168

Homeless Population by State [Updated May 2022]

Homeless Population by State [Updated May 2022]

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Homeless Population by State [Updated May 2022]

Sources