Maine
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Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
32.1
#7
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
3.7%
#49
Last updated March 12, 2025
| 1. |  | California | 171,521 |
| 2. |  | New York | 74,178 |
| 3. |  | Florida | 25,959 |
| 4. |  | Washington | 25,211 |
| 5. |  | Texas | 24,432 |
| 6. |  | Oregon | 17,959 |
| 7. |  | Massachusetts | 15,507 |
| 8. |  | Arizona | 13,553 |
| 9. |  | Pennsylvania | 12,691 |
| 10. |  | Georgia | 10,689 |
| 11. |  | Ohio | 10,654 |
| 12. |  | Tennessee | 10,567 |
| 13. |  | Colorado | 10,397 |
| 14. |  | North Carolina | 9,352 |
| 15. |  | Illinois | 9,212 |
| 16. |  | New Jersey | 8,752 |
| 17. |  | Michigan | 8,206 |
| 18. |  | Minnesota | 7,917 |
| 19. |  | Nevada | 7,618 |
| 20. |  | Louisiana | 7,373 |
| 21. |  | Virginia | 6,529 |
| 22. |  | Missouri | 5,992 |
| 23. |  | Hawaii | 5,967 |
| 24. |  | Indiana | 5,449 |
| 25. |  | Maryland | 5,349 |
| 26. |  | Wisconsin | 4,775 |
| 27. |  | Maine | 4,411 |
| 28. |  | Kentucky | 3,984 |
| 29. |  | Oklahoma | 3,754 |
| 30. |  | Alabama | 3,752 |
| 31. |  | South Carolina | 3,608 |
| 32. |  | Utah | 3,557 |
| 33. |  | Connecticut | 2,930 |
| 34. |  | Vermont | 2,780 |
| 35. |  | New Mexico | 2,560 |
| 36. |  | Arkansas | 2,459 |
| 37. |  | Iowa | 2,419 |
| 38. |  | Kansas | 2,397 |
| 39. |  | Delaware | 2,369 |
| 40. |  | Alaska | 2,320 |
| 41. |  | Nebraska | 2,246 |
| 42. |  | Idaho | 1,998 |
| 43. |  | New Hampshire | 1,605 |
| 44. |  | Montana | 1,585 |
| 45. |  | Rhode Island | 1,577 |
| 46. |  | South Dakota | 1,389 |
| 47. |  | West Virginia | 1,375 |
| 48. |  | Mississippi | 1,196 |
| 49. |  | Wyoming | 648 |
| 50. |  | North Dakota | 610 |
Homelessness is one of the largest societal issues in the United States, impacting people from diverse backgrounds and circumstances. In 2022, a staggering 582,500 individuals were experiencing homelessness on a single night across the nation.
Out of this homeless population, around 60% found refuge in sheltered locations like emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, or safe havens. Alarmingly, however, 40% were left to reside in uninhabitable spaces, such as streets or abandoned buildings, highlighting the harsh reality faced by a significant portion of the homeless community.
Between 2020 and 2022, the homeless population in America saw a slight increase of less than one percent. This modest uptick was a result of various factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic. As pandemic-related restrictions began to ease in 2021, shelters were able to safely accommodate more people, leading to a seven percent rise in sheltered homelessness while still adhering to safety guidelines.
Key findings from the data include:
| Region ↕ | Homeless Population 2022↕ | Homelessness Rate (per 10k) 2022↕ | Unsheltered Homeless Rate 2022↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 3,752 | 7.4 | 42.1% |
| Alaska | 2,320 | 31.7 | 15.4% |
| Arizona | 13,553 | 18.6 | 59.2% |
| Arkansas | 2,459 | 8.1 | 52.7% |
| California | 171,521 | 43.7 | 67.3% |
| Colorado | 10,397 | 17.9 | 30.1% |
| Connecticut | 2,930 | 8.1 | 10.0% |
| Delaware | 2,369 | 23.6 | 6.5% |
| Florida | 25,959 | 11.9 | 45.2% |
| Georgia | 10,689 | 9.9 | 51.8% |
| Hawaii | 5,967 | 41.4 | 62.7% |
| Idaho | 1,998 | 10.5 | 44.4% |
| Illinois | 9,212 | 7.3 | 20.6% |
| Indiana | 5,449 | 8.0 | 14.7% |
| Iowa | 2,419 | 7.6 | 16.8% |
| Kansas | 2,397 | 8.2 | 29.1% |
| Kentucky | 3,984 | 8.8 | 27.2% |
| Louisiana | 7,373 | 15.9 | 16.8% |
| Maine | 4,411 | 32.1 | 3.7% |
| Maryland | 5,349 | 8.7 | 16.7% |
| Massachusetts | 15,507 | 22.2 | 7.3% |
| Michigan | 8,206 | 8.2 | 11.0% |
| Minnesota | 7,917 | 13.9 | 22.3% |
| Mississippi | 1,196 | 4.1 | 63.6% |
| Missouri | 5,992 | 9.7 | 26.7% |
| Montana | 1,585 | 14.4 | 18.5% |
| Nebraska | 2,246 | 11.4 | 9.6% |
| Nevada | 7,618 | 24.2 | 46.8% |
| New Hampshire | 1,605 | 11.6 | 20.6% |
| New Jersey | 8,752 | 9.4 | 11.2% |
| New Mexico | 2,560 | 12.1 | 21.6% |
| New York | 74,178 | 37.4 | 5.4% |
| North Carolina | 9,352 | 8.9 | 38.6% |
| North Dakota | 610 | 7.9 | 13.6% |
| Ohio | 10,654 | 9.0 | 18.3% |
| Oklahoma | 3,754 | 9.4 | 35.1% |
| Oregon | 17,959 | 42.3 | 61.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 12,691 | 9.8 | 12.7% |
| Rhode Island | 1,577 | 14.4 | 15.7% |
| South Carolina | 3,608 | 7.0 | 34.2% |
| South Dakota | 1,389 | 15.5 | 24.6% |
| Tennessee | 10,567 | 15.1 | 58.0% |
| Texas | 24,432 | 8.3 | 44.9% |
| Utah | 3,557 | 10.7 | 24.5% |
| Vermont | 2,780 | 43.1 | 1.6% |
| Virginia | 6,529 | 7.6 | 10.5% |
| Washington | 25,211 | 32.6 | 50.2% |
| West Virginia | 1,375 | 7.7 | 29.0% |
| Wisconsin | 4,775 | 8.1 | 6.3% |
| Wyoming | 648 | 11.2 | 9.9% |
Homelessness is a deeply-rooted and complex issue that affects millions of people across the United States. While every state grapples with this societal concern to some extent, there are ten states that stand out for their particularly high homeless populations. These states are:
| State | Total Homeless Population |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Collectively, these ten states account for over 60% of America's homeless population, highlighting the severity of the problem within their borders.
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
7.4
#47
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
42.1%
#14
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
31.7
#8
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
15.4%
#35
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
18.6
#12
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
59.2%
#5
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
8.1
#40
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
52.7%
#7
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
43.7
#1
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
67.3%
#1
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
17.9
#13
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
30.1%
#18
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
8.1
#39
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
10.0%
#42
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
23.6
#10
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
6.5%
#46
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
11.9
#21
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
45.2%
#11
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
9.9
#27
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
51.8%
#8
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
41.4
#4
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
62.7%
#3
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
10.5
#26
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
44.4%
#13
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
7.3
#48
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
20.6%
#28
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
8.0
#42
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
14.7%
#36
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
7.6
#45
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
16.8%
#31
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
8.2
#38
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
29.1%
#19
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
8.8
#34
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
27.2%
#21
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
15.9
#14
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
16.8%
#32
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
32.1
#7
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
3.7%
#49
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
8.7
#35
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
16.7%
#33
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
22.2
#11
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
7.3%
#45
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
8.2
#37
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
11.0%
#40
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
13.9
#19
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
22.3%
#25
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
4.1
#50
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
63.6%
#2
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
9.7
#29
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
26.7%
#22
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
14.4
#18
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
18.5%
#29
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
11.4
#23
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
9.6%
#44
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
24.2
#9
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
46.8%
#10
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
11.6
#22
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
20.6%
#27
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
9.4
#30
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
11.2%
#39
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
12.1
#20
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
21.6%
#26
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
37.4
#5
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
5.4%
#48
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
8.9
#33
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
38.6%
#15
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
7.9
#43
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
13.6%
#37
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
9.0
#32
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
18.3%
#30
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
9.4
#31
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
35.1%
#16
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
42.3
#3
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
61.7%
#4
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
9.8
#28
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
12.7%
#38
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
14.4
#17
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
15.7%
#34
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
7.0
#49
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
34.2%
#17
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
15.5
#15
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
24.6%
#23
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
15.1
#16
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
58.0%
#6
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
8.3
#36
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
44.9%
#12
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
10.7
#25
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
24.5%
#24
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
43.1
#2
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
1.6%
#50
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
7.6
#46
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
10.5%
#41
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
32.6
#6
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
50.2%
#9
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
7.7
#44
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
29.0%
#20
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
8.1
#41
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
6.3%
#47
Metric
Value
Rank
Homelessness Rate (per 10k)
11.2
#24
Unsheltered Homeless Rate
9.9%
#43
There were approximately 582,500 homeless people in the United States on a single night in 2022. Six in ten (60%) were staying in sheltered locations—emergency shelters, safe havens, or transitional housing programs—and four in ten (40%) were in unsheltered locations such as on the street, in abandoned buildings, or in other places not suitable for human habitation.
As of 2022, California's homeless population stands at 171,521, the highest in the nation. The state has experienced a 6.2% increase in homelessness since 2020, making it the 18th fastest-growing homeless population in the U.S. Furthermore, homelessness in California has seen a 23.40% rise since 2007, placing it 8th in the nation in terms of growth since that year.
Notably, California also has the highest rate of homelessness per capita, with 43.7 individuals experiencing homelessness for every 10,000 residents and the highest unsheltered homeless rate at 67.3%, meaning that a significant majority of the state's homeless population is not living in shelters or other temporary housing options.
The state with the lowest homeless population in the U.S is North Dakota, which only has 610 homeless people. However, when accounting for population the state of Mississippi has the lowest rate of homelessness with only 4.1 homeless individuals for every 10,000 people. In comparison North Dakota has 7.9 homeless individuals for every 10,000 people.
