Special Report
States With the Most Unsheltered Homeless People
Published:
Last Updated:
Based on the latest estimates from the U.S. government, there were 552,830 people experiencing homelessness across the United States in January 2018, essentially unchanged from the same time last year.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development delivers to Congress annual estimates of homelessness across the nation. The estimates show a great deal of variation in homelessness across the country.
Homelessness is on the rise in a number of major U.S. metropolitan areas, many of which are struggling to manage these increases. These are are 48 major U.S. cities struggling to shelter growing homeless populations.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed the share of each state’s unsheltered homeless population out of the total homeless population. Nationwide, approximately two-thirds of homeless people were staying in sheltered locations, such as emergency shelters and different government housing programs. Meanwhile, one-third of homeless people lived on the street, in abandoned buildings, and other unsheltered places.
Click here to see the states with the most unsheltered homeless people
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology
50. Maine
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 3.9% (98 out of 2,516)
> Overall homelessness: 2,516 (19 in every 10,000 people — 11th highest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: 10.4%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -4.6%
> Poverty rate: 11.6% (19th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Maine
[in-text-ad]
49. Rhode Island
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 4.6% (51 out of 1,101)
> Overall homelessness: 1,101 (10 in every 10,000 people — 23rd lowest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -6.7%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -19.8%
> Poverty rate: 12.9% (23rd highest)
See all stories featuring: Rhode Island
24/7 Wall St.
48. New York
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 4.7% (4,294 out of 91,897)
> Overall homelessness: 91,897 (47 in every 10,000 people — the highest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: 2.7%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: 46.8%
> Poverty rate: 13.6% (17th highest)
See all stories featuring: New York
47. Massachusetts
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 4.9% (985 out of 20,068)
> Overall homelessness: 20,068 (29 in every 10,000 people — 6th highest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: 14.2%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: 32.7%
> Poverty rate: 10.0% (8th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Massachusetts
[in-text-ad-2]
46. Nebraska
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 5.9% (144 out of 2,421)
> Overall homelessness: 2,421 (13 in every 10,000 people — 17th highest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -3.2%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -31.4%
> Poverty rate: 11.0% (16th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Nebraska
45. Vermont
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 6.4% (82 out of 1,291)
> Overall homelessness: 1,291 (21 in every 10,000 people — 9th highest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: 5.4%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: 24.7%
> Poverty rate: 11.0% (16th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Vermont
[in-text-ad]
44. Wisconsin
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 7.8% (382 out of 4,907)
> Overall homelessness: 4,907 (8 in every 10,000 people — 13th lowest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -2.4%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -13.1%
> Poverty rate: 11.0% (16th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Wisconsin
43. Delaware
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 8.6% (93 out of 1,082)
> Overall homelessness: 1,082 (11 in every 10,000 people — 22nd highest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: 8.9%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: 2.0%
> Poverty rate: 12.5% (24th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Delaware
42. Iowa
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 8.8% (241 out of 2,749)
> Overall homelessness: 2,749 (9 in every 10,000 people — 14th lowest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -0.3%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: 0.5%
> Poverty rate: 11.2% (18th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Iowa
[in-text-ad-2]
41. North Dakota
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 8.9% (48 out of 542)
> Overall homelessness: 542 (7 in every 10,000 people — 6th lowest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -50.2%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -14.8%
> Poverty rate: 10.7% (12th lowest)
See all stories featuring: North Dakota
40. New Hampshire
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 10.6% (154 out of 1,450)
> Overall homelessness: 1,450 (11 in every 10,000 people — 25th highest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -0.4%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -35.5%
> Poverty rate: 7.6% (the lowest)
See all stories featuring: New Hampshire
[in-text-ad]
39. Michigan
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 10.8% (899 out of 8,351)
> Overall homelessness: 8,351 (8 in every 10,000 people — 12th lowest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -7.7%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -70.5%
> Poverty rate: 14.1% (13th highest)
See all stories featuring: Michigan
24/7 Wall St.
38. Indiana
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 11.0% (579 out of 5,258)
> Overall homelessness: 5,258 (8 in every 10,000 people — 9th lowest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -3.3%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -28.5%
> Poverty rate: 13.1% (20th highest)
See all stories featuring: Indiana
37. Ohio
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 12.8% (1,315 out of 10,249)
> Overall homelessness: 10,249 (9 in every 10,000 people — 15th lowest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: 1.5%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -9.0%
> Poverty rate: 13.9% (16th highest)
See all stories featuring: Ohio
[in-text-ad-2]
36. Pennsylvania
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 12.9% (1,744 out of 13,512)
> Overall homelessness: 13,512 (11 in every 10,000 people — 25th lowest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -4.4%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -16.7%
> Poverty rate: 12.2% (23rd lowest)
See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania
35. Utah
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 14.6% (420 out of 2,876)
> Overall homelessness: 2,876 (9 in every 10,000 people — 20th lowest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: 0.8%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -4.5%
> Poverty rate: 9.0% (4th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Utah
[in-text-ad]
34. Connecticut
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 14.6% (581 out of 3,976)
> Overall homelessness: 3,976 (11 in every 10,000 people — 23rd highest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: 17.4%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -11.3%
> Poverty rate: 10.4% (10th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Connecticut
24/7 Wall St.
33. West Virginia
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 14.7% (183 out of 1,243)
> Overall homelessness: 1,243 (7 in every 10,000 people — 3rd lowest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -5.0%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -48.4%
> Poverty rate: 17.8% (4th highest)
See all stories featuring: West Virginia
32. Virginia
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 15.3% (915 out of 5,975)
> Overall homelessness: 5,975 (7 in every 10,000 people — 4th lowest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -1.5%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -38.7%
> Poverty rate: 10.7% (12th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Virginia
[in-text-ad-2]
31. Alaska
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 15.3% (309 out of 2,016)
> Overall homelessness: 2,016 (27 in every 10,000 people — 7th highest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: 9.3%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: 22.8%
> Poverty rate: 10.9% (13th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Alaska
30. Minnesota
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 15.5% (1,121 out of 7,243)
> Overall homelessness: 7,243 (13 in every 10,000 people — 16th highest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -5.5%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -1.1%
> Poverty rate: 9.6% (7th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Minnesota
[in-text-ad]
29. Kansas
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 16.1% (357 out of 2,216)
> Overall homelessness: 2,216 (8 in every 10,000 people — 7th lowest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -3.1%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: 5.0%
> Poverty rate: 12.0% (21st lowest)
See all stories featuring: Kansas
28. New Jersey
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 17.3% (1,623 out of 9,398)
> Overall homelessness: 9,398 (11 in every 10,000 people — 24th lowest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: 10.1%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -45.7%
> Poverty rate: 9.5% (5th lowest)
See all stories featuring: New Jersey
27. Illinois
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 18.2% (1,942 out of 10,643)
> Overall homelessness: 10,643 (8 in every 10,000 people — 11th lowest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -1.4%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -31.3%
> Poverty rate: 12.1% (22nd lowest)
See all stories featuring: Illinois
[in-text-ad-2]
26. Missouri
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 20.6% (1,214 out of 5,883)
> Overall homelessness: 5,883 (10 in every 10,000 people — 21st lowest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -2.6%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -5.8%
> Poverty rate: 13.2% (19th highest)
See all stories featuring: Missouri
25. Kentucky
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 23.5% (868 out of 3,688)
> Overall homelessness: 3,688 (8 in every 10,000 people — 10th lowest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -8.4%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -54.2%
> Poverty rate: 16.9% (6th highest)
See all stories featuring: Kentucky
[in-text-ad]
24. South Dakota
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 24.6% (285 out of 1,159)
> Overall homelessness: 1,159 (13 in every 10,000 people — 15th highest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: 22.9%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: 100.2%
> Poverty rate: 13.1% (20th highest)
See all stories featuring: South Dakota
23. Maryland
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 24.7% (1,764 out of 7,144)
> Overall homelessness: 7,144 (12 in every 10,000 people — 19th highest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -1.4%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -25.8%
> Poverty rate: 9.0% (4th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Maryland
22. North Carolina
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 26.4% (2,450 out of 9,268)
> Overall homelessness: 9,268 (9 in every 10,000 people — 17th lowest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: 3.4%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -21.5%
> Poverty rate: 14.0% (14th highest)
See all stories featuring: North Carolina
[in-text-ad-2]
21. Montana
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 26.5% (373 out of 1,405)
> Overall homelessness: 1,405 (13 in every 10,000 people — 14th highest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -8.1%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: 22.2%
> Poverty rate: 13.0% (22nd highest)
See all stories featuring: Montana
20. Alabama
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 29.4% (1,010 out of 3,434)
> Overall homelessness: 3,434 (7 in every 10,000 people — 5th lowest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -9.5%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -37.0%
> Poverty rate: 16.8% (7th highest)
See all stories featuring: Alabama
[in-text-ad]
19. Oklahoma
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 30.8% (1,191 out of 3,871)
> Overall homelessness: 3,871 (10 in every 10,000 people — 22nd lowest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -7.8%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -8.3%
> Poverty rate: 15.6% (8th highest)
See all stories featuring: Oklahoma
18. Wyoming
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 31.1% (199 out of 639)
> Overall homelessness: 639 (11 in every 10,000 people — 24th highest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -26.8%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: 19.0%
> Poverty rate: 11.1% (17th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Wyoming
17. New Mexico
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 31.2% (796 out of 2,551)
> Overall homelessness: 2,551 (12 in every 10,000 people — 18th highest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: 2.8%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -15.4%
> Poverty rate: 19.5% (2nd highest)
See all stories featuring: New Mexico
[in-text-ad-2]
16. South Carolina
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 34.2% (1,344 out of 3,933)
> Overall homelessness: 3,933 (8 in every 10,000 people — 8th lowest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: 0.4%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -30.5%
> Poverty rate: 15.3% (9th highest)
See all stories featuring: South Carolina
15. Louisiana
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 34.8% (1,065 out of 3,059)
> Overall homelessness: 3,059 (7 in every 10,000 people — 2nd lowest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -7.4%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -44.3%
> Poverty rate: 18.6% (3rd highest)
See all stories featuring: Louisiana
[in-text-ad]
14. Idaho
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 35.9% (723 out of 2,012)
> Overall homelessness: 2,012 (11 in every 10,000 people — 21st highest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -1.2%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: 15.0%
> Poverty rate: 11.8% (20th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Idaho
13. Tennessee
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 36.2% (2,855 out of 7,883)
> Overall homelessness: 7,883 (12 in every 10,000 people — 20th highest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -5.1%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -29.7%
> Poverty rate: 15.3% (9th highest)
See all stories featuring: Tennessee
12. Georgia
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 37.9% (3,599 out of 9,499)
> Overall homelessness: 9,499 (9 in every 10,000 people — 19th lowest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -6.6%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -51.6%
> Poverty rate: 14.3% (12th highest)
See all stories featuring: Georgia
[in-text-ad-2]
11. Colorado
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 39.9% (4,329 out of 10,857)
> Overall homelessness: 10,857 (19 in every 10,000 people — 10th highest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -0.8%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -23.7%
> Poverty rate: 9.6% (7th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Colorado
10. Arizona
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 41.2% (4,066 out of 9,865)
> Overall homelessness: 9,865 (14 in every 10,000 people — 13th highest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: 10.3%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -32.6%
> Poverty rate: 14.0% (14th highest)
See all stories featuring: Arizona
[in-text-ad]
9. Texas
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 41.6% (10,534 out of 25,310)
> Overall homelessness: 25,310 (9 in every 10,000 people — 16th lowest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: 7.5%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -36.4%
> Poverty rate: 14.9% (11th highest)
See all stories featuring: Texas
8. Florida
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 43.2% (13,393 out of 31,030)
> Overall homelessness: 31,030 (15 in every 10,000 people — 12th highest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -3.6%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -35.4%
> Poverty rate: 13.6% (17th highest)
See all stories featuring: Florida
7. Mississippi
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 45.9% (621 out of 1,352)
> Overall homelessness: 1,352 (5 in every 10,000 people — the lowest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -8.2%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -1.8%
> Poverty rate: 19.7% (the highest)
See all stories featuring: Mississippi
[in-text-ad-2]
6. Arkansas
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 46.3% (1,257 out of 2,712)
> Overall homelessness: 2,712 (9 in every 10,000 people — 18th lowest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: 9.9%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -29.3%
> Poverty rate: 17.2% (5th highest)
See all stories featuring: Arkansas
5. Washington
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 47.6% (10,621 out of 22,304)
> Overall homelessness: 22,304 (30 in every 10,000 people — 5th highest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: 5.6%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -4.6%
> Poverty rate: 10.3% (9th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Washington
[in-text-ad]
4. Hawaii
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 53.2% (3,475 out of 6,530)
> Overall homelessness: 6,530 (46 in every 10,000 people — 2nd highest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -9.6%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: 7.6%
> Poverty rate: 8.8% (2nd lowest)
See all stories featuring: Hawaii
24/7 Wall St.
3. Nevada
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 56.2% (4,239 out of 7,544)
> Overall homelessness: 7,544 (25 in every 10,000 people — 8th highest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -3.7%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -12.7%
> Poverty rate: 12.9% (23rd highest)
See all stories featuring: Nevada
2. Oregon
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 61.7% (8,925 out of 14,476)
> Overall homelessness: 14,476 (35 in every 10,000 people — 3rd highest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: 3.7%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -17.7%
> Poverty rate: 12.6% (25th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Oregon
[in-text-ad-2]
1. California
> Homeless individuals w/o shelter: 68.9% (89,543 out of 129,972)
> Overall homelessness: 129,972 (33 in every 10,000 people — 4th highest)
> Change in overall homelessness 2017-2018: -1.2%
> Change in overall homelessness 2007-2018: -6.5%
> Poverty rate: 12.8% (25th highest)
See all stories featuring: California
Detailed Findings
While the overall level of homelessness was flat across the country, in some states there have been notable improvements, while in other states the problem has gotten worse.
For instance, the number of veterans experiencing homelessness dropped 5% between 2017 and 2018, and by a remarkable 48% since 2009.
Over the one-year period, overall homelessness declined in 31 states and rose in 19 states. Over the period between 2007 and 2018, homelessness dropped in 39 states and increased in 11.
Presenting the report, HUD Secretary Ben Carson said, “This year’s small increase was in part driven by a significant increase of nearly 3,800 people living in emergency shelters set up after the 2017 hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria and in other areas impacted by disasters.”
“Increases in recent years [also] appear to be at least partially explained by more effective practices in documenting chronic patterns of homelessness by local communities,” he said.
The HUD recognizes one of the problem is affordable housing. “Housing is too expensive overall. When housing costs outstrip incomes more people fall into homelessness and there are fewer avenues out,” Carson said.
Methodology
To identify the states with the most unsheltered homeless people, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the percentage of each state’s homeless population that is unsheltered out of the entire homeless population from The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s report, “The 2018 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress Part 1: Point-in-Time Estimates of Homelessness.”
In Part 1, HUD provides a snapshot of homelessness on a single night. The one-night counts are conducted in late January of each year. This is the most recent available data. Shelters include emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, safe havens, rapid re-housing programs, permanent supportive housing programs, and other permanent housing programs. The percentage of homeless people in families, in families with children, and the level of chronic homelessness — individuals who have been homeless for one year or more — also came from the HUD.
We also reviewed for each state the median annual household income, poverty rates, median home values, and the share of households receiving SNAP benefits (food stamps) data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates. Cost of living in each state (regional price parity) was obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis for the year 2017, the most recent data available.
The #1 Thing to Do Before You Claim Social Security (Sponsor)
Choosing the right (or wrong) time to claim Social Security can dramatically change your retirement. So, before making one of the biggest decisions of your financial life, it’s a smart idea to get an extra set of eyes on your complete financial situation.
A financial advisor can help you decide the right Social Security option for you and your family. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you optimize your Social Security outcomes.
Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!
By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.
By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.