A new study has revealed the states with the largest homeless communities, with Vermont taking the top spot, Washington is sixth.
Online casino review site Lucky Gambler analyzed data from the Office of Policy Development and Research to find the number of homeless people in each state in 2023. This figure was weighed against the population size of each state to calculate the homeless population per 100,000 people. The states with the highest rate of homeless people determined the ranking.
Vermont ranks top, with 512.38 homeless people per 100,000 residents in 2023. Vermont reported a total of 3,295 people experiencing homelessness, with 20% of the homeless community being under the age of 18 and 4% being veterans. 264 individuals, representing 8% of the homeless population, were identified as experiencing chronic homelessness, meaning they have been homeless repeatedly or for more than a year.
Coming in second place is New York, with a homeless population rate of 510.86 per 100,000 people. From a total of 103,200 homeless people in 2023, the state reported 28% being under 18, 1% being veterans, and 6% (6,192 in total) experiencing chronic homelessness.
Third in the ranking is Oregon, with 475.35 homeless people for every 100,000 inhabitants. In 2023, Oregon recorded 20,142 homeless people, with 13% being under 18 and 8% being veterans. 6,848 individuals, equating to 34%, were identified as suffering from chronic homelessness.
California ranks fourth, with 458.79 homeless people per 100,000 residents in 2023. California reported a total of 181,399 people experiencing homelessness, with 9% of the homeless community being under the age of 18 and 6% being veterans. 70,746 individuals were identified as experiencing chronic homelessness—equating to 39%.
In fifth comes Hawaii, with a homeless population rate of 427.62 per 100,000 people. From a total of 6,223 homeless people in 2023, the state reported 15% being under 18, 5% being veterans, and 26% (1,618 in total) experiencing chronic homelessness.
Washington comes in sixth, with 363.85 homeless people for every 100,000 inhabitants. In 2023, Washington recorded 28,036 homeless people, with 16% being under 18 and 6% being veterans. 8,691 individuals, representing 31% of the homeless population, were identified as suffering from chronic homelessness.
Seventh on the list is Alaska, with 356.43 homeless people per 100,000 residents in 2023. Alaska reported a total of 2,614 people experiencing homelessness, with 14% of the homeless community being under the age of 18 and 5% being veterans. 784 individuals were identified as experiencing chronic homelessness – equating to 30%.
In eighth place is Maine,with a homeless population rate of 312.55 per 100,000 people. From a total of 4,258 homeless people in 2023, the state reported 29% being under 18, 3% being veterans, and 9% (383 in total) experiencing chronic homelessness.
Nevada ranks ninth, with 279.13 homeless people for every 100,000 inhabitants. In 2023, Nevada recorded 8,666 homeless people, with 8% of them being under 18 and 13% being veterans. 2,426 individuals, representing 28% of the homeless population, were identified as suffering from chronic homelessness.
Landing the tenth spot is Massachusetts, with 272.28 homeless people per 100,000 residents in 2023. Massachusetts reported a total of 19,141 people experiencing homelessness, with 39% of the homeless community being under the age of 18 and 3% being veterans. 2,680 individuals were identified as experiencing chronic homelessness – equating to 14%.
Mississippi recorded the lowest rate of homelessness at 33.16 per 100,000 people. From a total of 982 homeless people in 2023, the state reported 13% being under 18, 6% being veterans, and 13% (128 in total) experiencing chronic homelessness.
Serhii Bielyi, Marketing Director of Lucky Gambler, commented on the findings:
“Unfortunately, homelessness is a problem across much of the world, and America is no exception. The top ten states, stretching from the East to the West coast, are a good example of how the entire country is facing the struggles of homelessness. States such as New York, California, and Hawaii have incredibly high living costs, which could put a strain on individuals on a low income and contribute to people being driven from their homes.”
SOURCE: Office of Policy Development and Research
