Mapped: America’s Homeless Population by State

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Mapped: America’s Homeless Population by State

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Key Takeaways

• California—also the most populous state—has the largest homeless population in the country, at more than 187,000 people counted in January, 2024.
• While total counts often mirror overall population, there are notable exceptions such as New York (#2 in homelessness, #4 by total residents), Washington (#3 vs. #13), and Massachusetts (#5 vs. #16).

The last time a federal government agency did a count, more than 770,000 people were experiencing homelessness across America.

If put together, they would be larger than Alaska’s population.

The map above visualizes how those 771,000 individuals are distributed, revealing wide disparities between states and regions.

Data for this visualization is sourced from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Its annual Point-in-Time (PIT) survey counts sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night each January.

Importantly, these PIT counts are conducted by local Continuums of Care (CoCs) across the country with varying methodology. Some use census counts, others use sampling and extrapolation, or a hybrid of methods.

As a result, they can undercount unsheltered populations, people couch‑surfing, or those avoiding contact.

U.S. States Ranked by Their Homeless Population

With 187,000 people unhoused, California alone accounts for roughly one-quarter of the national homeless population.

That figure has climbed by nearly 74,000 people since 2015, driven by high housing costs, a shortage of mental-health resources, and persistent income inequality.

Even when controlling for population, the Golden State’s rate of homelessness—4.7 per 1,000 residents—is more than double the U.S. average (2.3).

Naturally, the most populous states in the country will also have the most people experiencing homelessness, but it’s not always a perfect match.

Homelessness Numbers Don’t Always Mirror State Populations

New York ranks fourth in overall residents but second in people experiencing homelessness. In fact, New York City alone shelters more than 100,000 people on any given night.

Washington state is another outlier. It’s the 13th-most-populous state, but records the third-largest homeless count, reflecting the acute affordable housing shortages in Seattle and the Puget Sound region.

Meanwhile, Massachusetts—also facing a severe housing crunch—places fifth by homelessness, ahead of more populous states like Texas and Illinois.

Hidden Homelessness Hotspots in Smaller States

Smaller jurisdictions also stand out when adjusting for scale.

Hawaii and the District of Columbia each report fewer than 12,000 people experiencing homelessness. Yet their per capita rates (8 per 1,000 residents) exceed those of California.

Vermont, Alaska, and Oregon likewise rank high relative to their populations (between 3–5, per 1,000 residents).

Learn More on the Voronoi App

For more related coverage, check out The World’s Most Affordable Housing Markets on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.