Special Report

States With the Most Renters At Risk of Eviction

peeterv / iStock via Getty Images

The United States Supreme Court struck down a Biden administration moratorium on evictions last August. Only months later, 4.4 million residential renters across the country said they are “somewhat” or “very likely” to face evictions within two months, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. (Also see: the city where people cannot afford to rent a place to live.)

Eviction moratoriums were implemented in some states after the COVID-19 induced economic mayhem hit many working-class households’ budgets and had landlords knocking on doors to collect late rent. The executive branch effort to extend eviction moratoriums was struck down because the Supreme Court ruled that Congress must specifically authorize it. Residential evictions disproportionately impact Black and Hispanic renters.

To determine the states with the most renters at risk of eviction, 24/7 Wall St. ranked states based on the percentage of renters who responded “very likely” to the question “How likely is it that your household will have to leave this home or apartment within the next two months because of eviction?” using data from the Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey.

Based on this latest data from Jan. 26, 2022 to Feb. 7, 2022, 10.1 million renters nationwide are not current on their rental payments, or nearly 16% or the nation’s 64.2 million renters. Of those who are late on their rent, 1.4 million said they are “very likely” to move within two months due to eviction– that is 2.2% of all renters or nearly 14% of renters who are behind on their rent.

States with the largest populations also have the largest number of renters, but they do not necessarily have the greatest share of renters facing evictions. (This city has the lowest rents in America.)

For example, New York ranks third among states in the number of renters (about 4.7 million) but ranks 21st in the share of renters who are “very likely” to be evicted within two months. In contrast, Alabama has far fewer renters than New York (about 761,000), 26th most among states, but it ranks third in the number of renters who are “very likely” facing imminent eviction.

Click here to see the states with the most renters at risk of eviction
Click here to see our detailed methodology

aimintang / iStock via Getty Images

50. Delaware
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 0.8%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 28.2% (22nd most)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 0.9% (7th least)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 4.8% (12th highest)

[in-text-ad]

JayLazarin / E+ via Getty Images

49. Connecticut
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 1.4%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 33.2% (13th most)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 5.2% (20th least)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 5.3% (6th highest)

JamesBrey / Getty Images

48. Hawaii
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 1.8%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 12.9% (5th least)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 4.0% (16th least)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 4.4% (16th highest)

AlenaMozhjer / iStock via Getty Images

47. Ohio
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 2.0%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 16.9% (12th least)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 7.4% (23rd least)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 4.3% (19th highest)

[in-text-ad-2]

eyecrave / E+ via Getty Images

46. Missouri
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 2.4%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 31.0% (19th most)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 2.1% (9th least)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 3.8% (24th lowest)

krblokhin / iStock via Getty Images

45. Maryland
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 2.6%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 43.1% (5th most)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 7.4% (24th least)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 5.4% (4th highest)

[in-text-ad]

walencienne / iStock via Getty Images

44. Kansas
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 2.6%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 9.7% (3rd least)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 9.1% (22nd most)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 2.6% (4th lowest)

marekuliasz / iStock via Getty Images

43. Colorado
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 3.9%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 16.3% (10th least)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 12.4% (11th most)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 4.1% (23rd highest)

akaplummer / iStock via Getty Images

42. Minnesota
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 4.3%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 24.6% (22nd least)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 10.4% (17th most)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 2.9% (9th lowest)

[in-text-ad-2]

KenWiedemann / E+ via Getty Images

41. North Carolina
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 4.6%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 26.9% (24th most)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 10.1% (19th most)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 3.9% (25th lowest)

NNehring / E+ via Getty Images

40. Iowa
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 4.7%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 29.9% (20th most)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 2.5% (10th least)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 3.7% (22nd lowest)

[in-text-ad]

NLN / iStock via Getty Images

39. Nevada
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 5.7%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 51.3% (3rd most)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 0.3% (5th least)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 5.2% (8th highest)

ScottNodine / iStock via Getty Images

38. South Carolina
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 5.7%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 43.6% (4th most)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 0.8% (6th least)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 3.5% (20th lowest)

StanRohrer / E+ via Getty Images

37. West Virginia
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 6.3%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 31.1% (18th most)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: N/A
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 4.1% (23rd highest)

[in-text-ad-2]

MarkHatfield / iStock via Getty Images

36. Washington
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 6.3%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 21.3% (18th least)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 10.8% (14th most)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 4.4% (16th highest)

photovs / iStock via Getty Images

35. New Jersey
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 6.5%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 29.7% (21st most)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 6.6% (22nd least)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 5.2% (8th highest)

[in-text-ad]

Thinkstock / Stockbyte via Getty Images

34. Nebraska
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 6.7%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 9.3% (2nd least)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 4.7% (18th least)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 2.2% (2nd lowest)

KenWiedemann / iStock via Getty Images

33. Massachusetts
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 8.3%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 13.4% (6th least)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 3.9% (15th least)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 4.8% (12th highest)

DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

32. New Hampshire
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 8.7%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 32.2% (14th most)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 19.7% (5th most)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 2.9% (9th lowest)

[in-text-ad-2]

Brian Sevald / iStock via Getty Images

31. Michigan
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 9.4%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 34.7% (10th most)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 8.8% (23rd most)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 4.9% (11th highest)

filo / E+ via Getty Images

30. Alaska
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 10.0%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 31.3% (16th most)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 41.1% (the most)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 5.6% (3rd highest)

[in-text-ad]

29. North Dakota
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 10.2%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 16.8% (11th least)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 5.4% (21st least)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 3.1% (14th lowest)

dszc / E+ via Getty Images

28. Arizona
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 10.7%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 15.0% (7th least)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 8.0% (24th most)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 3.7% (22nd lowest)

Image Source / Image Source via Getty Images

27. Rhode Island
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 10.8%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 19.0% (14th least)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 9.2% (21st most)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 4.2% (22nd highest)

[in-text-ad-2]

Barry Richards / iStock via Getty Images

26. Tennessee
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 11.0%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 20.2% (16th least)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 3.1% (14th least)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 3.5% (20th lowest)

alexeys / iStock via Getty Images

25. Indiana
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 11.9%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 11.6% (4th least)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 5.1% (19th least)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 2.4% (3rd lowest)

[in-text-ad]

AlbertPego / iStock via Getty Images

24. Vermont
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 12.2%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 41.0% (7th most)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: N/A
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 3.0% (12th lowest)

peeterv / iStock via Getty Images

23. Mississippi
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 13.2%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 59.1% (the most)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 4.3% (17th least)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 4.6% (15th highest)

benedek / iStock via Getty Images

22. Oregon
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 14.1%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 34.6% (11th most)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 10.7% (16th most)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 4.3% (19th highest)

[in-text-ad-2]

NicolasMcComber / E+ via Getty Images

21. New York
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 14.2%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 25.8% (25th least)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 1.3% (8th least)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 5.3% (6th highest)

traveler1116 / E+ via Getty Images

20. Virginia
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 14.4%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 8.2% (the least)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 18.7% (6th most)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 3.3% (17th lowest)

[in-text-ad]

vkbhat / iStock via Getty Images

19. Idaho
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 14.9%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 19.4% (15th least)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 27.0% (2nd most)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 3.0% (12th lowest)

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

18. Arkansas
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 15.5%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 33.5% (12th most)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 22.6% (3rd most)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 3.2% (16th lowest)

James Brey / iStock via Getty Images

17. Wisconsin
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 15.8%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 37.4% (8th most)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 22.2% (4th most)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 3.0% (12th lowest)

[in-text-ad-2]

Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

16. Georgia
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 16.1%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 25.5% (24th least)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: N/A
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 3.2% (16th lowest)

halbergman / iStock via Getty Images

15. California
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 16.4%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 27.1% (23rd most)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 9.9% (20th most)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 5.8% (2nd highest)

[in-text-ad]

Majestic_Aerials / iStock via Getty Images

14. Oklahoma
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 18.6%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 21.2% (17th least)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 2.6% (11th least)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 2.7% (6th lowest)

Alex Potemkin / iStock via Getty Images

13. Florida
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 19.4%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 15.0% (8th least)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 12.8% (10th most)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 3.5% (20th lowest)

Paola Giannoni / iStock via Getty Images

12. Wyoming
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 19.6%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 42.6% (6th most)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 8.0% (25th most)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 3.8% (24th lowest)

[in-text-ad-2]

11. Illinois
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 20.2%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 26.7% (25th most)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 10.7% (15th most)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 5.0% (10th highest)

RichLegg / iStock via Getty Images

10. Utah
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 20.2%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 24.5% (21st least)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 13.3% (8th most)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 2.2% (2nd lowest)

[in-text-ad]

dszc / E+ via Getty Images

9. Texas
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 20.7%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 24.7% (23rd least)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 2.7% (12th least)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 4.8% (12th highest)

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

8. New Mexico
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 21.2%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 31.8% (15th most)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 7.5% (25th least)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 5.9% (the highest)

Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images

7. South Dakota
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 24.1%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 53.4% (2nd most)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 16.1% (7th most)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 2.8% (7th lowest)

[in-text-ad-2]

Mario Tama / Getty Images News via Getty Images

6. Louisiana
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 24.9%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 22.7% (19th least)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 10.9% (13th most)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 4.3% (19th highest)

Alex Potemkin / E+ via Getty Images

5. Pennsylvania
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 25.1%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 31.3% (17th most)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 10.3% (18th most)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 5.4% (4th highest)

[in-text-ad]

Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images

4. Kentucky
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 26.5%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 36.9% (9th most)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: N/A
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 4.4% (16th highest)

toddmedia / Getty Images

3. Alabama
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 26.6%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 22.9% (20th least)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 2.9% (13th least)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 3.1% (14th lowest)

peeterv / iStock via Getty Images

2. Montana
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 30.1%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 18.3% (13th least)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 13.2% (9th most)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 2.7% (6th lowest)

[in-text-ad-2]

virsuziglis / iStock via Getty Images

1. Maine
> Renters very likely to be evicted in two months: 34.0%
> Renters three or more months behind on rent: 16.3% (9th least)
> Renters receiving state or local gov’t rental assistance: 11.5% (12th most)
> January 2022 unemployment rate: 4.1% (23rd highest)

Methodology

To determine the states with the most renters at risk of eviction, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on housing insecurity from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey for the period Jan. 26, 2022 to Feb. 7, 2022. States are ranked based on the percentage of renters who responded “very likely” to the question “How likely is it that your household will have to leave this home or apartment within the next two months because of eviction?” Supplemental data on the percentage of renters who are three or more months behind on rental payments and the percentage of renters who received emergency rental assistance through the state or local government also came from the Household Pulse Survey and is self-reported. Seasonally adjusted data on the January 2022 unemployment rate came from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.