Wyoming’s Homeless Population Numbers

By now, you've seen the pictures and videos of homeless people and camps in some of America's biggest states and cities.

On a recent trip to downtown Denver, Colorado, I stepped over people sleeping on the sidewalks, right in the middle of downtown.

So, how bad is it in a state like Wyoming? We are the least populated state, after all. Do we have the lowest homeless population? Turns out, yes.

Wyoming has the lowest total number of homeless people in the U.S., with about 501 residents, while Mississippi has the lowest rate of homelessness relative to its population, at about 3.3 to 4.2 people per 10,000 residents, according to USA Facts.

These low numbers hold up in hard counts as well as per capita.

• Wyoming: 501 people
• North Dakota: 865 people
• Mississippi: 1,041 people
• South Dakota: 1,338 people
• Delaware: 1,358 people

Homelessness Reaches All-Time Record In New York City

California has the highest total homeless population in the U.S., with over 181,000 to 187,000 residents, followed by New York (145,000 to 158,000), Washington, Florida, and Massachusetts. However, when measured by per-capita rate, New York, Hawaii, and Oregon rank among the highest, according to USA Facts.

Top States by Per-Capita Rate (per 10,000 residents)

When adjusting for state population size, the rankings shift:

• New York: 72.8 to 81.0 per 10,000 residents
• Hawaii: 81.0 per 10,000 residents
• Oregon: High per-capita concentration in the Pacific Northwest
• Vermont: Elevated rural and family homelessness rates
• District of Columbia (Federal District): ~74.1 to 83.0 per 10,000 residents (highest overall density).

a person sitting on a bench with a cart full of bags

For states like Wyoming, the homeless population drops considerably in the winter when the weather is just too harsh for anyone to live outside.

Homeless individuals and families in Wyoming can access emergency shelter, meals, and support services through local organizations, state programs, and Wyoming 211 (dial 211 or visit wyoming211.org). Statewide and regional resources include the Wyoming Department of Family Services Homeless Services and community shelters.