In this article, we will take a look at the 25 states with the smallest homeless populations per capita in the US. If you want to skip our discussion on the issue of homelessness across America, you can go directly to the 5 States with the Smallest Homeless Populations Per Capita in the US.
Rising Homelessness: A National Crisis
The issue of homelessness in the United States remains a significant challenge, with the number of homeless individuals reaching alarming levels. According to the 2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in the country reached a record high of over 653,000 in 2023. This represented an increase of 12% from 2022, highlighting a growing concern that requires urgent attention and action.
According to the report, 24% of all individuals experiencing homelessness in the US were located in either New York City or Los Angeles. The highest homeless population by city in 2023 was found in New York City, with over 88,000 individuals experiencing homelessness. Los Angeles City & County had the second highest homeless population by city, with more than 71,000 people experiencing homelessness.
Cities across the nation are grappling with the complexities of the homelessness crisis. If you want to read more about the cities with the highest homeless rate per capita, you can go to 25 Cities with the Highest Homeless Population Per Capita in the US.
Factors contributing to this rise in homelessness include soaring rents and a shortage of affordable housing. A recent report from Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies revealed that nearly half of all renters in the United States are facing unaffordable housing costs. The study highlights that as of 2022, the median rent was 21% higher than it was in 2001, while renters’ incomes have only increased by 2% during the same period. This widening gap between rents and incomes has led to an increase in the number of households struggling to afford their housing costs. In 2022, the number of renters spending more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities reached an all-time high of 22.4 million.
READ ALSO: 20 US States with the Highest Income Tax Revenue Per Capita and 25 Most Expensive Neighborhoods in America.
Tackling Homelessness with Affordable Housing Solutions
Several corporations are actively investing significant resources to increase the availability of affordable housing options across the US. These corporations play a crucial role in providing safe and reasonably priced housing for low and middle-income individuals.
Cavco Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:CVCO) is a leading designer and producer of factory-built homes in the US. It specializes in producing manufactured homes, modular homes, vacation cabins, park model RVs, vacation cabins, and factory-built housing products. The corporation operates 19 manufacturing facilities across the country and produces systems-built homes with a focus on efficiency and affordability. Their homes are constructed in controlled indoor environments, allowing for precision building and shorter completion times compared to traditional on-site construction methods. This approach not only reduces costs but also ensures that homes meet high-quality standards.
Cavco Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:CVCO) aims to address the homelessness crisis in the US by providing affordable housing solutions. In December 2023, the company introduced the Anthem series of homes, a significant innovation in affordable housing. Launched as the first nationally available manufactured duplex approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Anthem provides cost-effective living options for families. These duplex-style homes are designed to increase housing density while maintaining safety standards. With various floor plans available, including two- and three-bedroom options, the Anthem series is particularly appealing to first-time homebuyers who can benefit from the option to live in one unit and rent out the other.
The Anthem brand highlights Cavco Industries, Inc.’s (NASDAQ:CVCO) dedication to addressing the affordable housing crisis in the US. As more families are renting rather than buying due to limited housing options and rising construction costs, the Anthem series provides a practical solution that aligns with the federal government’s initiatives aimed at increasing affordable housing availability. Cavco Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:CVCO) is an innovative company in the manufactured housing industry that is committed to offering affordable homes and providing solutions to the housing crisis in the US.
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Now, let’s turn our attention to the 25 states with the smallest homeless populations per capita in the US.
Methodology
To compile our list of the 25 states with the smallest homeless populations per capita in the US, we utilized data from the 2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. This report provided us with estimates of people experiencing homelessness at the state level as of December 2023.
We then supplemented this data with population estimates from the United States Census Bureau, which were as of July 2023. We were able to calculate the homeless population per capita in each US state. Finally, we narrowed down our selection to rank the 25 states with the smallest homeless populations per capita in the US, which are listed below.
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25 States with the Smallest Homeless Populations Per Capita in the US
25. New Jersey
Homeless Population: 10,264
Total Population: 9,290,841
Homeless Population Per 10,000 People: 11.047
Homeless Population Per Capita: 0.0011047
New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the US. It is located within both the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the country. According to recent estimates, there are 11.047 homeless individuals for every 10,000 residents in New Jersey.
24. Missouri
Homeless Population: 6,708
Total Population: 6,196,156
Homeless Population Per 10,000 People: 10.826
Homeless Population Per Capita: 0.0010826
Missouri, a landlocked state in the Midwestern region, ranks among the states with the smallest homeless populations per capita in the United States. The homeless population in the state of Missouri is 10.826 individuals per 10,000 residents.
23. Utah
Homeless Population: 3,687
Total Population: 3,417,734
Homeless Population Per 10,000 People: 10.787
Homeless Population Per Capita: 0.0010787
Utah is a state in the Mountain West region of the Western US. Recent estimates show that there are 10.787 homeless individuals per 10,000 people in Utah.
22. Kentucky
Homeless Population: 4,766
Total Population: 4,526,154
Homeless Population Per 10,000 People: 10.529
Homeless Population Per Capita: 0.0010529
Kentucky is a Southeastern state that ranks among the states with the lowest homeless populations per capita in the US. There are 10.529 homeless individuals for every 10,000 residents in Kentucky.
21. North Dakota
Homeless Population: 784
Total Population: 783,926
Homeless Population Per 10,000 People: 10
Homeless Population Per Capita: 0.001000094
North Dakota, in the Upper Midwest, is one of the least populated states in the US. The homeless population in the state of North Dakota is approximately 10 individuals per 10,000 residents.
20. Pennsylvania
Homeless Population: 12,556
Total Population: 12,961,683
Homeless Population Per 10,000 People: 9.687
Homeless Population Per Capita: 0.0009687
Pennsylvania is a state in the Northeastern US that ranks among the top 20 on our list of the states with the smallest homeless populations per capita in the US. It is the fifth most populated state in the country. There are 9.687 homeless individuals per 10,000 people in Pennsylvania.
19. Ohio
Homeless Population: 11,386
Total Population: 11,785,935
Homeless Population Per 10,000 People: 9.66
Homeless Population Per Capita: 0.000966
Ohio is a state on the Northeastern edge of the Midwest region. It is the seventh most populated state in the US. Recent estimates show that Ohio has 9.66 homeless individuals for every 10,000 residents.
18. Illinois
Homeless Population: 11,947
Total Population: 12,549,689
Homeless Population Per 10,000 People: 9.519
Homeless Population Per Capita: 0.0009519
Illinois is a Midwestern state that ranks 18th on our list of the states with the smallest homeless populations per capita in the US. The homeless population in Illinois is 9.519 individuals per 10,000 residents.
17. Maryland
Homeless Population: 5,865
Total Population: 6,180,253
Homeless Population Per 10,000 People: 9.489
Homeless Population Per Capita: 0.0009489
Maryland is a small state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the US. According to recent estimates, there are 9.489 homeless individuals for every 10,000 residents in Maryland.
16. Wyoming
Homeless Population: 532
Total Population: 584,057
Homeless Population Per 10,000 People: 9.108
Homeless Population Per Capita: 0.0009108
Wyoming, situated in the Mountain West region, is the least populated state in the US. The homeless population in Wyoming is 9.108 individuals per 10,000 residents.
15. North Carolina
Homeless Population: 9,754
Total Population: 10,835,491
Homeless Population Per 10,000 People: 9.001
Homeless Population Per Capita: 0.0009001
North Carolina, located in the Southeastern US, ranks among the top 15 on our list of the states with the smallest homeless populations per capita. Recent estimates show that there are approximately 9.001 homeless individuals for every 10,000 residents in the state.
14. Texas
Homeless Population: 27,377
Total Population: 30,503,301
Homeless Population Per 10,000 People: 8.975
Homeless Population Per Capita: 0.0008975
Texas, located in the South Central US, is the second most populous state in the country. With a homeless population of 27,377, it ranks high among the states with the largest homeless populations in the US. Texas has 8.975 homeless individuals for every 10,000 residents.
13. Kansas
Homeless Population: 2,636
Total Population: 2,940,546
Homeless Population Per 10,000 People: 8.964
Homeless Population Per Capita: 0.0008964
Kansas is a state situated in the Midwest region of the US. Recent estimates show that there are 8.964 homeless individuals per 10,000 people in Kansas.
12. Michigan
Homeless Population: 8,997
Total Population: 10,037,261
Homeless Population Per 10,000 People: 8.963
Homeless Population Per Capita: 0.0008963
Michigan, situated in the Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest US, ranks 12th on our list of the states with the smallest homeless populations per capita in the US. Recent estimates show that there are 8.963 homeless individuals for every 10,000 residents in Michigan.
11. Indiana
Homeless Population: 6,017
Total Population: 6,862,199
Homeless Population Per 10,000 People: 8.768
Homeless Population Per Capita: 0.0008768
Indiana is located in the Midwestern United States. The homeless population in the state of Indiana is 8.768 individuals per 10,000 residents.
10. Arkansas
Homeless Population: 2,609
Total Population: 3,067,732
Homeless Population Per 10,000 People: 8.504
Homeless Population Per Capita: 0.0008504
Arkansas, located in the South Central region of the United States, ranks among the top 10 on our list of states with the smallest homeless populations per capita in the US. Recent estimates indicate that there are 8.504 homeless individuals for every 10,000 residents in Arkansas.
9. Connecticut
Homeless Population: 3,015
Total Population: 3,617,176
Homeless Population Per 10,000 People: 8.335
Homeless Population Per Capita: 0.0008335
Connecticut, a small state located in the New England region of the Northeastern United States, is one of the most densely populated states in the country. The homeless population in Connecticut is 8.335 individuals per 10,000 people.
8. Iowa
Homeless Population: 2,653
Total Population: 3,207,004
Homeless Population Per 10,000 People: 8.272
Homeless Population Per Capita: 0.0008272
Iowa is a state in the upper Midwestern region that ranks 8th on our list of the states with the smallest homeless populations per capita in the US. There are 8.272 homeless individuals for every 10,000 residents in Iowa.
7. Wisconsin
Homeless Population: 4,861
Total Population: 5,910,955
Homeless Population Per 10,000 People: 8.223
Homeless Population Per Capita: 0.0008223
Wisconsin, situated in the Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest United States, ranks high among the states with the lowest homeless populations per capita in the US. Recent estimates show that there are 8.223 homeless individuals for every 10,000 residents in Wisconsin.
6. West Virginia
Homeless Population: 1,416
Total Population: 1,770,071
Homeless Population Per 10,000 People: 7.999
Homeless Population Per Capita: 0.0007999
West Virginia is located in the Southern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. Recent estimates show that the homeless population in West Virginia is about 7.999 individuals per 10,000 people. This places the state 6th on our list of the states with the smallest homeless populations per capita in the US. West Virginia also ranks high among the cheapest states to buy a house in the US.
5. Virginia
Homeless Population: 6,761
Total Population: 8,715,698
Homeless Population Per 10,000 People: 7.757
Homeless Population Per Capita: 0.0007757
Virginia, a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the US, ranks among the top 5 on our list of the states with the smallest homeless populations per capita in the US. According to recent estimates, the homeless population in Virginia is 7.757 individuals per 10,000 people.
4. South Carolina
Homeless Population: 4,053
Total Population: 5,373,555
Homeless Population Per 10,000 People: 7.542
Homeless Population Per Capita: 0.0007542
South Carolina is a state in the coastal Southeastern region of the US. The state has one of the lowest rates of homelessness. Recent estimates show that there are 7.542 homeless individuals per 10,000 residents in South Carolina.
3. Louisiana
Homeless Population: 3,169
Total Population: 4,573,749
Homeless Population Per 10,000 People: 6.928
Homeless Population Per Capita: 0.0006928
Louisiana, situated in the Deep South and South Central regions of the US, ranks among the top 3 states with the smallest homeless populations per capita. The homeless population in the US state of Louisiana is 6.928 individuals per 10,000 people.
2. Alabama
Homeless Population: 3,304
Total Population: 5,108,468
Homeless Population Per 10,000 People: 6.467
Homeless Population Per Capita: 0.0006467
Alabama, a Southeastern state, ranks among the states with the smallest homeless populations per capita in the US. Although Alabama is one of the least educated states in the country, it has a relatively low rate of homelessness. In Alabama, there are 6.467 homeless individuals per 10,000 residents.
1. Mississippi
Homeless Population: 982
Total Population: 2,939,690
Homeless Population Per 10,000 People: 3.34
Homeless Population Per Capita: 0.0003340
Mississippi, located in the Southeastern United States, tops our list of the states with the smallest homeless populations per capita in the US. Despite being one of the poorest states in the US, recent estimates show that there are only 3.34 homeless individuals for every 10,000 residents in Mississippi.
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