10 Major US Cities With the Largest Homeless Populations

What are some major cities with largest homeless population? From time immemorial, food, clothing, and shelter have been universally accepted by the human race to be the three basic necessities of life. But are they really basic? Do the facts and figures align with this proposition? Perhaps, you may think that developed countries are excluded from this lack of basic human needs due to the advanced, high-income, and industrialized nature of their economies.
However, recent data seems to disagree with this as there is an alarming rise in homelessness in the United States. Did you know? More than half of the country’s homeless population resides in urban areas or major cities! In this video, we will be spotlighting the 10 major U.S cities with the largest homeless populations.

Ten. San Francisco, California
The 10th city on our list is San Francisco in the state of California. Despite the city's effort to eradicate homelessness, 8,323 people do not have a place to call home. The reasons include but are not limited to: a high cost of living, drug abuse, financial difficulty, mental health issues, lack of affordable housing alternatives, and a growing increase in housing expenses.

Nine. Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the largest city in the state of Arizona by population and area. It has an area of around 1,341 square kilometers. Also, the seat of Maricopa County rests here. More to that, it is well known for its desert landscapes and sunny days. Despite its appeal, this city comes in at the 9th position with a homeless population of 9,435 people.

Eight. Oakland, California
This Californian city also tows the line of major US cities with the largest homeless populations. 9,450 persons who reside in Oakland lack permanent homes. Instead, they stay on the streets, in cars, or in encampments.

Seven. San Jose, California
Situated at the center of Silicon Valley, San Jose faces the problem of homelessness which is reported to affect 10,394 persons; among whom are veterans, families, and those dealing with addiction and mental health challenges.

Six. San Diego, California
Although possessing a delightful environment with beautiful beaches, San Diego is plagued by the problem of homelessness which seems to only multiply. Some 10,605 humans live in encampments, cars, and on the streets.

Five. Denver, Colorado
We are starting off the second half of our rank with Denver which is also known as the “Mile-High City". It is Colorado’s state capital and most populous city. This city witnessed a 42% increase in homelessness from 2023 to 2024, translating to a homeless population of 14,281 individuals.

Four. Seattle, Washington
Closely following Denver is Seattle, a city in Washington which records a 19.2% increase in homelessness from 2023 to 2024. Essentially, there was a homeless population of 16,868 persons. This figure includes those dwelling on the streets, in shelters, and in transitional housing. Like her counterparts, Seattle's main causes of homelessness stem from the shortage of affordable housing, economic inequality, and rising housing costs.

Three. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago, the most populous city in Illinois and the third largest in the United States, is home to nearly 2.7 million residents. With its size, diversity, and complex socio-economic history, Chicago has long faced challenges related to homelessness. However, the situation has worsened dramatically in recent years. Between 2023 and 2024, the city experienced the fastest-growing homeless population in the nation—a staggering 207% increase. This sharp rise brings the current number of homeless individuals in Chicago to an alarming 18,836.

Two. Los Angeles, California
It’s impossible to discuss homelessness in the United States without mentioning Los Angeles. This marks the fifth city from California on our list—proof that the Golden State is facing a massive crisis. Los Angeles alone accounts for 71,201 homeless individuals, making it one of the hardest-hit cities in the country.

One. New York City
New York City, the most populous metropolis in the United States, is also home to one of the nation's most alarming homelessness crises. With a staggering 140,134 individuals currently without stable housing, the city's homeless population includes people living in shelters, transitional housing, and on the streets.

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