When analyzing the ratio of homelessness to state population, New York, Hawaii, and California had the highest rates in 2020. However, Washington, D.C. had an estimated 90.4 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 567,715 in 2019 – the highest level since 2014. However, the true figure is likely to be much higher as some individuals prefer to stay with family or friends. In 2019, nearly half of the people experiencing homelessness where white, while the number of Black homeless people exceeded 225,000.
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). (March 12, 2021). Estimated rate of homelessness in the United States in 2020, by state (per 10,000 population) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 17, 2022, 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 2020, by state (per 10,000 population)." Chart. March 12, 2021. Statista. Accessed May 17, 2022. 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). (2021). Estimated rate of homelessness in the United States in 2020, by state (per 10,000 population). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 17, 2022. 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 2020, by State (per 10,000 Population)." Statista, Statista Inc., 12 Mar 2021, 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 2020, by state (per 10,000 population) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/727847/homelessness-rate-in-the-us-by-state/ (last visited May 17, 2022)
