County in every state with the most unoccupied homes

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October 22, 2019
Andrew F. Kazmierski // Shutterstock

County in every state with the most unoccupied homes

Vacant housing is everywhere and while it might be an eyesore, a crime scene, or a sad reminder of loss, vacancy rates can be important to home buyers and owners, investors, banks, and communities. A vacant house might be a boarded-up city row house, a collapsed farmhouse, or an empty vacation cottage in the woods.

Vacancies serve as a huge drag on the local housing market by diminishing the quality of life and the value of nearby properties. They also can cost millions for policing, cleanup, or demolition鈥攁nd they that lasted from December 2007 through June 2009. The number of unoccupied dwellings between 2005 and 2010 rose to 12 million from 9.5 million between 2005 and 2010.

A 2018 report from the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy called "" took a close look at vacant properties (whether abandoned or simply unused). The study shows that "hyper-vacancy"鈥攁reas where vacant buildings or lots account for 20% or more of structures鈥攔epresented half of all census tracts in Cleveland.

The report also underscores earlier studies, like the one from , had triple the number of drug calls to police and twice as many calls reporting violence than blocks without vacant buildings. Another study, from 2010, estimated reduced real estate value in the city by $3.6 billion鈥攐r $8,000 per household.

Rural areas and small towns have seen vacancy rates nearly double those of metropolitan areas; especially in Appalachia, the South, and the Great Plains. With resurgent growth, some locales have seen vacancies return to pre-recession levels, while others have had far slower recoveries. But some places are plagued by what is called hyper-vacancy.

The . The government's count does not define how long a home must be vacant, and some may be for sale, for rent, or seasonal.

The most recent data showed in the second quarter of 2019 at 6.8% for rental housing and 1.3% for homeowner housing. Among rentals, the recent occupancy rate in the summer of 2019 was at its highest point since 2000, and it has

With housing vacancy rates a useful measure for homebuyers or investors, 麻豆原创 used the most recent available data from the to compile a list of the county with the most vacant homes in each state. Counties are ranked by the percentage of unoccupied homes out of all homes in each county, and ties are broken by considering the total number of unoccupied homes. The homes are also broken down into different categories to show a full picture of the vacant home status in America. Please note that Vermont is not included in this list, as the available data was insufficient.

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Alabama: Baldwin County

- Total homes in county: 116,632
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 33,131 (28.4% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 16,578
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 405
--- Homes for sale: 1,228
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 879
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 9,890
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 4,151

Baldwin County, Ala., is located on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Bay, and most of it is rural and unincorporated. Its beaches are a tourist destination, but the region has been badly damaged by powerful hurricanes. More than a quarter of its homes are unoccupied, but housing sales

Alaska: Matanuska-Susitna Borough

- Total homes in county: 41,986
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 9,788 (23.3% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 603
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 129
--- Homes for sale: 380
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 182
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 6,904
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 1,590

Alaska鈥檚 mountainous Mat-Su between Anchorage and Denali is the size of West Virginia. The population in the borough , outpacing the rest of the state, and it is the second most populous borough in Alaska. Its housing prices are nearly a third of those in nearby Anchorage, appealing to commuters. The housing market is on an upswing, although it is easily affected by factors from

Arizona: Navajo County

- Total homes in county: 58,164
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 23,879 (41.1% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 813
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 0
--- Homes for sale: 1,508
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 171
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 17,803
--- Homes for migrant workers: 25
--- Other vacant homes: 3,559

More than 40% of homes are vacant in Arizona鈥檚 Navajo County, which has been grappling with the economic fallout from the Shutdown of the mine meant the , slashing funds available for law enforcement, emergency services, and teachers鈥 paychecks, and it slowed the recording real estate transactions, making closings difficult.

Arkansas: Garland County

- Total homes in county: 51,025
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 10,618 (20.8% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 1,718
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 547
--- Homes for sale: 478
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 871
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 5,717
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 1,287

Garland County in Arkansas is home to rugged landscapes, the heavily forested Ouachita Mountains and Hot Springs National Park. Recreation and tourism are mainstays of the county鈥檚 economy, bringing in tens of millions of dollars in revenues and creating thousands of jobs. But the county鈥檚 , and nearly 1 in 5 people lives in poverty.

California: Nevada County

- Total homes in county: 54,264
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 12,817 (23.6% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 120
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 239
--- Homes for sale: 512
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 477
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 10,272
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 1,197

California's mountainous Nevada County lay at the heart of the 1848 gold rush that drew thousands of miners. Geologists estimate as much as , and the area still attracts modern-day gold panners. Economists say costs in the area leave more and more people unable to pay rising rents. The , and about a quarter of county residents leave to find work.

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Colorado: Pueblo County

- Total homes in county: 71,451
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 6,497 (9.1% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 476
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 0
--- Homes for sale: 672
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 539
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 871
--- Homes for migrant workers: 155
--- Other vacant homes: 3,784

Pueblo County has long been considered an affordable but with its explosive growth in recent years, the cost of living is on the rise. An increase in population has driven up demand for goods and services, leading to higher prices. The mayor recently said the booming local economy has led to increasing rents and housing costs.

Connecticut: Litchfield County

- Total homes in county: 88,402
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 14,804 (16.7% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 1,212
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 0
--- Homes for sale: 780
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 826
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 7,428
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 4,558

Across is still recovering from the recession of a decade ago, and less desirable residences can sit on the market for months. But this past summer, despite an overall , Litchfield saw a strong percentage gain. Recent data called it a 鈥

Delaware: Sussex County

- Total homes in county: 141,092
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 47,613 (33.7% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 1,110
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 473
--- Homes for sale: 1,569
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 733
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 38,279
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 5,449

Sussex County is largely rural, with Atlantic Ocean beaches popular among summer tourists. Some seasonal visitors for much of the year. More broadly, with a third of its homes unoccupied, Sussex County is seeing and a lack of affordable rental units.

Florida: Monroe County

- Total homes in county: 53,457
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 22,095 (41.3% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 3,094
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 94
--- Homes for sale: 220
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 399
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 14,064
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 4,224

Home to the Florida Keys, has been struggling to maintain its critical tourism industry amid environmental threats and hurricane scares that keep visitors away. Workforce housing was already scarce with housing costs rising for years. But hit hard, destroying or damaging more than 4,000 homes throughout the Keys and leaving little affordable rentals. Rents in Key West have doubled in less than a decade, although the housing strains get a little less dire the further one gets up the 120-mile island chain.

Georgia: Richmond County

- Total homes in county: 89,098
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 18,564 (20.8% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 5,216
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 388
--- Homes for sale: 1,883
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 376
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 1,218
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 9,483

In Richmond County, Ga., which includes the city of , 1 in 5 houses is vacant. Vacant homes and apartments are a drag on its real estate market, pulling prices down.

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Hawaii: Maui County

- Total homes in county: 73,786
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 20,992 (28.4% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 10,402
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 689
--- Homes for sale: 1,257
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 360
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 6,323
--- Homes for migrant workers: 210
--- Other vacant homes: 1,751

The is more than triple the national value. The , meaning the number of houses sitting empty is likely to drop.

Idaho: Kootenai County

- Total homes in county: 72,500
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 7,545 (10.4% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 72
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 0
--- Homes for sale: 603
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 198
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 5,430
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 1,242

sits in northern Idaho, 25 miles east of Spokane, Wash. It is a popular destination for retirees. Its economic climate has been healthy, and its vacant housing rate is relatively low.

Illinois: Vermilion County

- Total homes in county: 36,125
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 5,959 (16.5% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 1,444
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 113
--- Homes for sale: 496
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 2,973
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 208
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 725

In in eastern Illinois along the border with Indiana, 1 in 5 homes has negative equity, meaning its value is less than the outstanding mortgage. But home values rose nearly 10% in the past year and are expected to keep rising.

Indiana: Kosciusko County

- Total homes in county: 38,744
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 7,946 (20.5% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 148
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 0
--- Homes for sale: 497
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 523
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 5,194
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 1,584

Between South Bend and Fort Wayne, is agricultural, with a big poultry business. Its housing market is heating up. Seen as boosting the market are an unemployment rate well below the national average and a growing job market. Job growth over the next 10 years is predicted to be higher than the U.S. average.

Iowa: Scott County

- Total homes in county: 74,655
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 7,750 (10.4% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 2,748
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 190
--- Homes for sale: 749
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 508
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 728
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 2,827

Housing vacancy in , located halfway between Chicago and Des Moines, is the highest in the state, but low compared to highs in other states. The area has seen a significant amount of new housing growth in recent years, attracting residents with its job supply and healthy local economy. An is driving up residential property values across the county, realtors say.

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Kansas: Riley County

- Total homes in county: 31,340
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 4,723 (15.1% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 1,640
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 1,065
--- Homes for sale: 295
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 24
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 644
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 1,055

Riley County in northeast Kansas is home to the , and the military and college students drive its rental market. The local housing market outperformed the rest of the state in recent years, and real estate in the city of is some of the most expensive in Kansas.

Kentucky: Jefferson County

- Total homes in county: 347,119
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 35,856 (10.3% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 10,874
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 1,563
--- Homes for sale: 3,023
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 621
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 2,331
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 17,444

Anchored by the city of Louisville, is located along the Ohio River at the Indiana border. Boosting its real estate market are a low cost of living and predictions for strong job growth.

Louisiana: Ouachita Parish

- Total homes in county: 69,035
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 13,436 (19.5% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 3,153
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 56
--- Homes for sale: 990
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 1,464
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 821
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 6,952

Much of the housing in was built in the 1940s through the 1960s. Local real estate appreciation rates have tracked the national average over the last 10 years but slowed more recently and trail nearly all other areas of the state. Particularly in the city of Monroe, vacant housing is an issue.

Maine: Aroostook County

- Total homes in county: 39,986
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 10,055 (25.1% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 450
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 248
--- Homes for sale: 486
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 162
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 6,434
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 2,275

, the northernmost county in Maine, is the largest county east of the Mississippi and bigger than Rhode Island and Connecticut combined. Its housing is some of the most affordable in Maine, but more than a quarter of the local housing stock is vacant. in the area have been well below the national average for the last 10 years and lower than most of the state.

Maryland: Baltimore city

- Total homes in county: 293,633
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 56,429 (19.2% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 13,577
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 902
--- Homes for sale: 3,994
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 1,939
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 922
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 35,095

Nearly 1 in 5 homes sit empty in Baltimore. and the number of delinquent mortgages are twice as high as the national averages. But forecasts say the outlook for the housing market is positive, with prices set to rise.

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Massachusetts: Barnstable County

- Total homes in county: 164,329
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 77,658 (47.3% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 1,702
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 0
--- Homes for sale: 2,041
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 1,314
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 69,692
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 2,909

Almost half of all homes in Barnstable County, which includes Cape Cod, are vacant, but nearly all of those are homes for recreational or seasonal use in the popular coastal resort area. In recent years, have risen more than those of existing and new homes. Barnstable, where 41% of the housing stock is vacation homes, was among the U.S. counties with the greatest price increases for vacation homes from 2013 to 2018.

Michigan: Marquette County

- Total homes in county: 34,937
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 8,609 (24.6% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 307
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 266
--- Homes for sale: 231
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 0
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 5,974
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 1,831

Most of the vacant homes in Marquette County, located on Michigan鈥檚 Upper Peninsula on the shores of Lake Superior, are for recreational or seasonal use. The local housing market is short on ; population growth in the region is slow and does not justify The region鈥檚 long winters will likely keep the population and housing prices down, locals say.

Minnesota: St. Louis County

- Total homes in county: 105,006
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 20,636 (19.7% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 1,472
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 463
--- Homes for sale: 620
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 241
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 13,444
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 4,396

St. Louis County, located in northeastern Minnesota, is home to wilderness areas popular with outdoor enthusiasts including a national park and national forest, state parks, lakes, and rivers. Most of its vacant homes are for recreational or seasonal use. Much of the county鈥檚 population lives in

Mississippi: Hinds County

- Total homes in county: 104,339
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 18,856 (18.1% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 4,677
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 445
--- Homes for sale: 1,083
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 840
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 502
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 11,309

Jackson鈥擬ississippi鈥檚 largest city and its capital鈥攕its in , which is filled with rolling terrain and pine forests. The Jackson metropolitan area is Dampening the area鈥檚 housing market is high unemployment that makes it hard for would-be buyers to get mortgages. The local housing appreciation rate has notably lagged the national average for the past decade.

Missouri: St. Louis city

- Total homes in county: 177,169
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 32,874 (18.6% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 8,836
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 717
--- Homes for sale: 3,093
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 5,477
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 807
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 13,944

The housing market in is still recovering from the recession of more than a decade ago. There is high demand but a shortage of affordable housing, and the city's population is shrinking. In the last couple of years, houses have been taking longer to sell, Houses that might need updating or renovating, in particular, are staying on the market longer. The city's rental market is booming, meanwhile.

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Montana: Flathead County

- Total homes in county: 49,088
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 10,716 (21.8% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 1,031
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 57
--- Homes for sale: 335
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 467
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 7,701
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 1,125

, Mont., which shares a border with Canada, is dominated by Glacier National Park and Flathead National Forest. Most of the county鈥檚 vacant housing is seasonal or used for recreation. The county鈥檚 housing market is hot, with homes in Kalispell and Whitefish selling quickly.

Nebraska: Douglas County

- Total homes in county: 237,325
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 16,467 (6.9% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 6,562
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 804
--- Homes for sale: 1,871
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 343
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 1,004
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 5,883

The rate of ., home to Omaha, the state鈥檚 largest city, is low. The region鈥檚 economy is robust, and Omaha is said to have more millionaires per capita than any other U.S. city. have climbed in the strong market, appreciating from 2000 to 2018, by 47%.

Nevada: Clark County

- Total homes in county: 913,385
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 104,780 (11.5% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 41,060
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 4,789
--- Homes for sale: 7,525
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 3,414
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 25,267
--- Homes for migrant workers: 60
--- Other vacant homes: 22,665

at the southern tip of Nevada is home to the gaming mecca Las Vegas. After a hot 2018, the real estate market has cooled slightly to a more balanced pace. Price growth has slowed, builders are selling fewer houses and once-depleted inventory is back up. But the market is among the nation鈥檚 most competitive. Recent data showed one in five recent offers in

New Hampshire: Grafton County

- Total homes in county: 53,071
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 17,677 (33.3% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 710
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 32
--- Homes for sale: 504
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 67
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 14,998
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 1,366

Grafton County, N.H., where Dartmouth College is located, is largely rural and about half of its land is part of the White Mountain National Forest. While a third of its housing is vacant, nearly all of those are homes for recreational or seasonal use.

New Jersey: Cape May County

- Total homes in county: 99,427
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 60,219 (60.6% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 4,713
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 41
--- Homes for sale: 957
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 92
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 52,262
--- Homes for migrant workers: 110
--- Other vacant homes: 2,044

A whopping 60% of Cape May's housing is vacant, but nearly all are homes for seasonal or recreational use. About half of the county's residential real estate is . Nationwide, vacation home sales rose 10% from 2015 to 2018.

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New Mexico: Otero County

- Total homes in county: 31,843
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 8,096 (25.4% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 310
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 130
--- Homes for sale: 682
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 131
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 2,976
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 3,867

One in four homes in is vacant, although a sizable portion are seasonal housing. Taking a toll on the county鈥檚 housing market are concerns over crime and drug trafficking, as the county lies in a major border The county seat is , where the unemployment rate is higher than the national average. Job growth stalled in the past year and is predicted to trail the national average over the coming decade.

New York: Jefferson County

- Total homes in county: 60,041
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 15,384 (25.6% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 1,619
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 422
--- Homes for sale: 320
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 1,320
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 10,558
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 1,145

Located in northern New York state near the St. Lawrence River, has seen little employment growth since the Great Recession. It is home to the U.S. Army鈥檚 Fort Drum, which is a major employer. But the has lagged the rest of the country, and the area has seen an exodus of residents, dampening demand and activity in its housing market. In 2017, in the United States. Only San Juan County, N.M., lost more of its population.

North Carolina: Carteret County

- Total homes in county: 50,719
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 21,999 (43.4% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 225
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 0
--- Homes for sale: 1,087
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 0
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 18,226
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 2,461

Coastal Carteret County in eastern North Carolina incorporates the . Tourism and recreation are keys to its economy, and nearly all of its vacant homes are for recreational or seasonal use.

North Dakota: Ward County

- Total homes in county: 33,203
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 5,316 (16.0% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 1,779
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 283
--- Homes for sale: 81
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 0
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 262
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 2,911

One in six homes is vacant in , where the economy and housing market are indelibly linked to the state鈥檚 huge oil and gas industry. Statewide, the industry contributes more than $3 billion to the state鈥檚 gross domestic product each year. During a 2012 boom, rents soared, new construction grew, rising prices put financial pressures on many residents and vacancies in housing units were near zero. Housing costs in Ward County have since moderated and residential construction is moving at a more normal pace.

Ohio: Ashtabula County

- Total homes in county: 46,198
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 10,753 (23.3% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 1,548
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 330
--- Homes for sale: 584
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 305
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 3,582
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 4,404

Northeast of Cleveland, features 26 miles of Lake Erie shoreline. Nearly , and in nearby Cleveland, the foreclosure rate is high and the median value home value is four times less than the U.S. median. Nearly

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Oklahoma: Comanche County

- Total homes in county: 51,688
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 9,199 (17.8% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 2,541
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 0
--- Homes for sale: 783
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 2,276
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 575
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 3,024

, Okla., is anchored by the city of Lawton, recently ranked as one of the most affordable rental and sales markets in the nation. Demand for local housing comes in large part from the Ft. Sill Army base. Cuts in the Army mid-decade reached Ft. Sill and caused the area鈥檚 housing market to fall. The is slightly higher than the national average, and its job growth over the next 10 years is predicted to be significantly lower than in the rest of the country.

Oregon: Klamath County

- Total homes in county: 33,682
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 6,884 (20.4% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 439
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 266
--- Homes for sale: 218
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 307
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 3,201
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 2,453

The site of Crater Lake National Park and several national forests, scenic , Ore., is located in south central Oregon just north of California. It suffers from high unemployment, and is in dire need of new housing and rentals, local experts say. The Klamath Basin has not had any new market-rate, multi-family apartment or housing built in decades. The is 49 years old.

Pennsylvania: Monroe County

- Total homes in county: 81,664
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 26,555 (32.5% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 285
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 125
--- Homes for sale: 1,178
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 344
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 18,576
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 6,047

Monroe County, in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania, was slammed by the recession and housing crisis a decade ago, and its recovery has been painfully slow. Like other exurbs, has been too weak to build up much economic momentum. At the end of 2018鈥攖hose that are worth less than the mortgage鈥攖han almost any other county in the nation. But the again after a significant decline that began with the economic downturn.

Rhode Island: Washington County

- Total homes in county: 64,332
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 16,652 (25.9% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 1,819
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 0
--- Homes for sale: 386
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 370
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 12,305
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 1,772

Washington County in southwestern Rhode Island features Narragansett Bay and Block Island, popular with summer visitors. It is the , with a median household income of about $78,000 that is some 27% higher than in the rest of the state. Many residents work in tourism. About three-quarters of its vacant housing is for recreational or seasonal use.

South Carolina: Horry County

- Total homes in county: 210,700
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 79,520 (37.7% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 15,785
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 388
--- Homes for sale: 2,777
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 129
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 53,252
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 7,189

is the largest city in Horry County, S.C., where tourism is the biggest industry. Two-thirds of its vacant housing is for seasonal or recreational use. The coastal county is vulnerable to hurricanes, most recently by Hurricane Dorian in 2019 and Hurricane Florence in 2018. The economy is limited by an abundance of low-paying jobs, and for the amount of its job growth. A campaign is underway to stop any new construction by locals who say has ignored flood dangers and failed to make plans to deal with natural disasters.

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South Dakota: Pennington County

- Total homes in county: 49,249
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 4,455 (9.0% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 1,303
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 239
--- Homes for sale: 454
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 166
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 990
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 1,303

The ., is low, and the housing market in the area, which includes Rapid City, is hot, experts say. There鈥檚 a shortfall in the number of homes on the market. One realtor said homes are being purchased sight unseen, with agents doing walk-throughs via videos with their clients.

Tennessee: Sevier County

- Total homes in county: 58,279
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 21,418 (36.8% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 5,270
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 1,067
--- Homes for sale: 285
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 160
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 12,173
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 2,463

More than a third of homes in , the 鈥淕ateway鈥 to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, are vacant鈥攁lthough more than half of those are for recreational or seasonal use. The area鈥檚 lower than the national median, and its poverty rate is higher. Economists say the region has a severe shortage of affordable housing, and new housing is limited due to the and lack of available services.

Texas: Henderson County

- Total homes in county: 41,483
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 10,640 (25.6% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 412
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 263
--- Homes for sale: 1,000
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 213
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 5,658
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 3,094

Situated between Dallas and Houston, draws retirees from the two cities. It leads the area and the state in its proportion of investment and retirement income. Its unemployment rate and cost of living are low, and its biggest employers are .

Utah: Weber County

- Total homes in county: 93,205
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 7,590 (8.1% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 729
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 105
--- Homes for sale: 795
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 399
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 3,709
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 1,853

The housing vacancy rate in is relatively low. The county鈥檚 poverty rate recently dipped below 10% for the first time in a decade. Unemployment fell as well while the median household income climbed. The strong housing market is leaving a lack of affordable housing and pushing up But housing prices have cooled recently, a possible signal that the market may be

Virginia: Bedford County

- Total homes in county: 37,001
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 5,730 (15.5% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 355
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 0
--- Homes for sale: 571
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 298
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 2,450
--- Homes for migrant workers: 174
--- Other vacant homes: 1,882

has low unemployment, and its job market has been growing. Like other rural areas in Virginia, it was hard hit by the recession and still dealing with the decline of key industries such as .

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Washington: Grant County

- Total homes in county: 37,969
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 7,163 (18.9% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 905
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 367
--- Homes for sale: 162
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 247
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 3,630
--- Homes for migrant workers: 859
--- Other vacant homes: 993

The , between Seattle and Spokane, is made up of ranching and agriculture. The county is the site of the on the Columbia River, the biggest power station in the nation. Its inexpensive electricity, transportation, reasonably priced land, and high-speed fiber-optic network have . The economy has been on a recovery path since the recession, and its recent pace of job growth has been robust.

West Virginia: Cabell County

- Total homes in county: 46,324
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 8,300 (17.9% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 1,480
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 924
--- Homes for sale: 941
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 452
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 498
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 4,005

Cabell County鈥檚 economy has been under pressure from , and the region has been in the grips of the opioid epidemic. But it has an efficient transportation infrastructure of rail, interstate highway and inland shipping, and entrepreneurship is growing. Considered particularly good for , Cabell County is one of just a few counties in West Virginia that .

Wisconsin: Kenosha County

- Total homes in county: 70,646
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 7,696 (10.9% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 2,132
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 598
--- Homes for sale: 619
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 229
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 1,989
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 2,129

, considered part of the Chicago metropolitan area, is one of the top 10 fastest-growing counties in the United States. Its vacancy rate is relatively low. It is the site of several , and a big local employer is warehouse .

Wyoming: Laramie County

- Total homes in county: 43,892
- Number of unoccupied homes in 2018: 4,214 (9.6% of total homes)
--- Homes for rent: 538
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 233
--- Homes for sale: 482
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 127
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 778
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0
--- Other vacant homes: 2,056

The most populous county in Wyoming, . It has seen steady growth in employment rates and its economic strength, although it lacks affordable housing. With demand for homes outweighing supply and driving up prices, inventory is tight.

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