See what Bay Area counties had an increase or decrease in homeless population
Following the national trend, the Bay Area saw an overall increase in the unhoused population from 2023-24, according to official records.
Nationally, the homeless population increased by 18% and the Bay Area wasn't immune to the growth.
On Friday, the Housing and Urban Development department released their findings in their annual homelessness assessment report, which they describe as an "annual snapshot" of those in shelters, temporary housing, and unsheltered settings.
According to their reports, the Bay Area saw an increase in its homeless population, from 36,565 reported cases in 2023 to 38,891 in 2024, a total increase of 2,326 people without homes.
However, not all counties saw an increase.
Alameda County, with the major cities of Oakland and Berkeley, saw the highest number of decreases in its unhoused population, with 309 fewer people house-insecure compared to 2023.
Following was Napa County, seeing its 2023 homeless population decrease from 506 to 414 in 2024, and 92 fewer homeless people.
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The last Bay Area county to see a homeless population decrease was Marin County, decreasing from 1,118 to 1,090, a 28-count difference.
Sonoma County saw an increase of 256 people becoming homeless.
Following close behind was San Mateo County, with an increase of 271. Next was Contra Costa County with an increase of 471. With just 20 people more, Santa Clara County saw an increase of 491 people as a part of its homeless population.
Solano County saw an increase of 525.
Topping the list of counties with the highest growth in their homeless population was San Francisco County, jumping from 7,582 to 8,323, a 741-person increase.
Despite seeing more growth in its homeless population, Santa Clara County has the highest Bay Area homeless population overall, with Alameda County following in second.
By the numbers:
- Alameda County's homeless population decreased from 9,759 to 9,450.
- Napa County's homeless population decreased from 506 to 414.
- Marin County's homeless population decreased from 1,118 to 1090.
- Sonoma County's homeless population increased from 2,266 to 2,572.
- San Mateo County's homeless population increased from 1,859 to 2,130.
- Contra Costa County's homeless population increased from 2,372 to 2,843.
- Santa Clara County's homeless population increased from 9,903 to 10,394.
- Solano County's homeless population increased from 1,200 to 1,725.
- San Francisco County's homeless population increased from 7,582 to 8,323.