When analyzing the ratio of homelessness to state population, New York, Vermont, and Oregon had the highest rates in 2023. However, Washington, D.C. had an estimated 73 homeless individuals per 10,000 people, which was significantly higher than any of the 50 states.
Homeless people by race
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development performs homeless counts at the end of January each year, which includes people in both sheltered and unsheltered locations. The estimated number of homeless people increased to 653,104 in 2023 – the highest level since 2007. However, the true figure is likely to be much higher, as some individuals prefer to stay with family or friends - making it challenging to count the actual number of homeless people living in the country. In 2023, nearly half of the people experiencing homelessness were white, while the number of Black homeless people exceeded 243,000.
How many veterans are homeless in America?
The number of homeless veterans in the United States has halved since 2010. The state of California, which is currently suffering a homeless crisis, accounted for the highest number of homeless veterans in 2022. There are many causes of homelessness among veterans of the U.S. military, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse problems, and a lack of affordable housing.
Estimated rate of homelessness in the United States in 2023, by state
(per 10,000 population)
The number of homeless people is based on point in time estimates, unduplicated one-night estimates of sheltered and unsheltered homeless populations. They are carries out nationwide during the last 10 days of January of each year by Continuums of Care (CoC).
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US Department of Housing and Urban Development (Office of community planning and development). (February 12, 2024). Estimated rate of homelessness in the United States in 2023, by state (per 10,000 population) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/727847/homelessness-rate-in-the-us-by-state/
US Department of Housing and Urban Development (Office of community planning and development). "Estimated rate of homelessness in the United States in 2023, by state (per 10,000 population)." Chart. February 12, 2024. Statista. Accessed November 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/727847/homelessness-rate-in-the-us-by-state/
US Department of Housing and Urban Development (Office of community planning and development). (2024). Estimated rate of homelessness in the United States in 2023, by state (per 10,000 population). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/727847/homelessness-rate-in-the-us-by-state/
US Department of Housing and Urban Development (Office of community planning and development). "Estimated Rate of Homelessness in The United States in 2023, by State (per 10,000 Population)." Statista, Statista Inc., 12 Feb 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/727847/homelessness-rate-in-the-us-by-state/
US Department of Housing and Urban Development (Office of community planning and development), Estimated rate of homelessness in the United States in 2023, by state (per 10,000 population) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/727847/homelessness-rate-in-the-us-by-state/ (last visited November 21, 2024)
Estimated rate of homelessness in the United States in 2023, by state (per 10,000 population) [Graph], US Department of Housing and Urban Development (Office of community planning and development), February 12, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/727847/homelessness-rate-in-the-us-by-state/
