After a temporary growth spurt, foreclosures are once again on the decline this quarter. According to property data provider ATTOM , the number of housing units with foreclosure filings in October was 34,472, a 6.03% drop from the previous month and a 6.47% rise from the previous year. Despite the current economic upturn, many homeowners are still struggling to deal with the financial fallout from the pandemic.
With the U.S. median home price hovering around $391,800, home ownership is becoming increasingly challenging for new buyers and existing owners alike. Experts believe that high mortgage interest rates are worsening the crisis, with the interest rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage lingering near 7.40% as of November 21st. This represents a week-over-week decrease of 0.06% and a year-over-year increase of 0.36%.
The Federal Reserve has been raising interest rates to battle inflation, but these hikes are also causing mortgage rates to rise, making it more expensive to finance a home or refinance an existing mortgage. Borrowers should stay up to date on their mortgage payments and work closely with their lenders to explore options for assistance if needed.
Read on for the foreclosure rates in October 2023 – plus the five counties, or county equivalents, with the highest rates within those states.
50 State Foreclosure Rates
As previously noted, foreclosure rates dropped slightly compared to last month and grew moderately compared to last year. Read on for October foreclosure rates for all 50 states — plus the District of Columbia — beginning with the state that had the lowest rate of foreclosure filings per housing unit.
District of Columbia
Ranking in population between Vermont and Alaska, the country’s second-and-third-least populous states, Washington, D.C. observed 100 foreclosures in October, down nearly 30% from the previous month. With a total of 344,306 housing units, the foreclosure rate of the Nation’s Capital was one in every 3,443 households, putting it in between the states of Connecticut (#10) and California (#11).
50. Vermont
In 49th place for population, the Green Mountain State ranked 50th yet again for its foreclosure rate this month. Of the state’s 333,519 housing units, four homes went into foreclosure at a rate of one in every 83,380 households. Only two counties in Vermont saw foreclosures. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Rutland and Windsor.
49. South Dakota
The Mount Rushmore State nabbed the 49th spot for the fourth month in a row. Having 388,373 total housing units, the fifth-least populous state had a foreclosure rate of one in every 38,837 households with 10 foreclosures. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Brown, Meade, Codington, Minnehaha, and Pennington.
48. North Dakota
The Peace Garden State’s foreclosure rate was one in every 13,708 homes. This puts the fourth-least populous state — with 370,111 housing units and 27 foreclosures — in 48th place. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Divide, Morton, Stark, McLean, and McKenzie.
47. West Virginia
Ranked 39th in population, the Mountain State claimed the 47th spot for the second month in a row. It has a total of 859,437 housing units, of which 66 went into foreclosure. This means that the foreclosure rate was one in every 13,022 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Lewis, Pleasants, Hancock, Tyler, and Boone.
46. Kansas
The Sunflower State ranked 46th for highest foreclosure rate in October. With 1,272,290 homes and a total of 101 housing units going into foreclosure, the 35th most populous state’s foreclosure rate was one in every 12,597 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Kiowa, Morton, Chase, Graham, and Edwards.
45. Montana
Listed as 44th in population, the Treasure State rated 45th for highest foreclosure rate this month. With 42 foreclosures out of 512,553 housing units, Montana’s foreclosure rate was one in every 12,204 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Dawson, Sweet Grass, Phillips, Mineral, and Pondera.
44. New Hampshire
The Granite State, and the 41st most populous state in the U.S., ranked 44th for highest foreclosure rate. New Hampshire saw 59 of its 636,480 homes go into foreclosure, making for a foreclosure rate of one in every 10,788 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Coos, Sullivan, Cheshire, Merrimack, and Grafton.
43. Kentucky
With a total of 1,988,420 housing units, the Bluegrass State saw 194 homes go into foreclosure, thus landing in 43rd place this month. This puts the foreclosure rate for the 26th most populous state at one in every 10,250 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Fulton, Jackson, Butler, Grant, and Fleming.
42. Rhode Island
The eighth-least populous state placed 42nd for highest foreclosure rate in October. A total of 47 homes went into foreclosure out of 481,168 total housing units, making the foreclosure rate for the Ocean State one in every 10,238 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Kent, Providence, Washington, Bristol, and Newport.
41. Wisconsin
With 286 foreclosures out of 2,718,369 total housing units, America’s Dairyland and the 20th most populous state secured the 41st spot with a foreclosure rate of one in every 9,505 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Pepin, Marquette, Langlade, Dodge, and Columbia.
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40. Nebraska
Ranking 37th in population, the Cornhusker State placed 40th this month with a foreclosure rate of one in every 9,041 homes. With a total of 840,802 housing units, the state had 93 foreclosure filings. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Hamilton, Clay, Webster, Morrill, and Thayer.
39. Oregon
The 27th most populous state ranked 39th for highest foreclosure rate in October. Of the Pacific Wonderland’s 1,798,864 homes, 199 went into foreclosure, making for a foreclosure rate of one in every 9,040 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Morrow, Lake, Klamath, Wallowa, and Jefferson.
38. Washington
Sorted as 13th in population, the Evergreen State ranked 38th for its foreclosure rate this month. Of its 3,170,695 housing units, 351 went into foreclosure, making the state’s foreclosure rate one in every 9,033 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Lewis, Walla Walla, Clallam, Kitsap, and Pacific.
37. Mississippi
Ranked 34th in population, the Magnolia State experienced 147 foreclosures out of 1,317,375 total housing units. This puts the foreclosure rate at one in every 8,962 homes and into the 37th spot this month. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Jefferson Davis, Amite, Marshall, Scott, and Claiborne.
36. Missouri
Coming in at 19th in population, the Show-Me State took the 36th spot for highest foreclosure rate in October. Of its 2,782,081 homes, 323 went into foreclosure, making for a foreclosure rate of one in every 8,613 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Gentry, Webster, Caldwell, Douglas, and Texas.
35. Tennessee
Ranked 16th in population, the Volunteer State endured 421 foreclosures out of its 3,011,124 housing units. This puts the foreclosure rate at one in every 7,152 households and in 35th place this month. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Meigs, Grundy, Cannon, Hardeman, and Decatur.
34. Maine
Ranked 42nd in population, the Pine Tree State placed 34th for highest foreclosure rate this month. With a total of 737,782 housing units, Maine saw 113 foreclosures for a foreclosure rate of one in every 6,529 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Penobscot, Washington, Somerset, Waldo, and Oxford.
33. Alaska
The Last Frontier saw 49 foreclosures in October, making the foreclosure rate one in every 6,445 homes. This caused the third-least populous state, with a total of 315,797 housing units, to claim the 33rd spot. The boroughs with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Matanuska-Susitna, Anchorage, Fairbanks North Star, Juneau, and Kenai Peninsula.
32. Colorado
The 21st most populous state ranked 32nd for highest foreclosure rate for the second month in a row. Of the Centennial State’s 2,454,873 housing units, 393 went into foreclosure, making for a foreclosure rate of one in every 6,246 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Weld, Pueblo, Fremont, Mesa, and Montrose.
31. Arkansas
Listed as the 33rd most populous state, the Land of Opportunity ranked 31st for highest foreclosure rate in October. The state contains 1,361,880 housing units, of which 220 went into foreclosure, making its latest foreclosure rate one in every 6,190 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Cleveland, Franklin, St. Francis, Desha, and Poinsett.
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30. Virginia
With 589 homes going into foreclosure, the 12th most populous state ranked 30th for highest foreclosure rate this month. Having 3,596,100 total housing units, the Old Dominion saw a foreclosure rate of one in every 6,105 households. The counties and independent cities with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Franklin City, Covington City, Martinsville City, King William, and Craig.
29. Minnesota
Ranked 22nd for most populous state, the Land of 10,000 Lakes obtained the 29th spot for highest foreclosure rate in October. It has 2,470,483 housing units, of which 408 went into foreclosure, making the state’s foreclosure rate one in every 6,055 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Wilkin, Stevens, Benton, Pennington, and Renville.
28. New Mexico
The 36th most populous state claimed the 28th spot for highest foreclosure rate this month. Of the Land of Enchantment’s 937,397 homes, 155 went into foreclosure, making for a foreclosure rate of one in every 6,048 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Valencia, Eddy, Roosevelt, Chaves, and Otero.
27. Arizona
Sorted as 14th in population, the Grand Canyon State withstood 533 foreclosures out of its total 3,056,890 housing units. This puts the foreclosure rate at one in every 5,735 homes and into the 27th spot in October. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Pinal, Graham, Cochise, Gila, and Mohave.
26. Idaho
Ranked 38th in population, the Gem State received the 26th spot due to its 133 housing units that went into foreclosure this month. With 742,145 total housing units, the state’s foreclosure rate was one in every 5,580 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Washington, Payette, Benewah, Bonneville, and Bingham.
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25. Louisiana
Sorted as 25th in population, the Pelican State also placed 25th for highest foreclosure rate in October. Louisiana had a foreclosure rate of one in every 5,570 households, with 371 homes out of 2,066,323 housing units going into foreclosure. The parishes with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Red River, La Salle, Livingston, Tangipahoa, and West Baton Rouge.
24. Hawaii
The Paradise of the Pacific, and the 40th most populous state, came in 24th for highest foreclosure rate. Of its 556,937 homes, 102 went into foreclosure, making for a foreclosure rate of one in every 5,460 households. Only four of the five counties in the state saw foreclosures. They were (from highest to lowest): Hawaii, Honolulu, Maui, and Kauai.
23. Wyoming
The country’s least populous state claimed the 23rd spot for highest foreclosure rate this month. With 271,818 housing units, of which 53 went into foreclosure, the Equality State’s foreclosure rate was one in every 5,129 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Big Horn, Converse, Sweetwater, Campbell, and Laramie.
22. Massachusetts
The 15th most populous state ranked 22nd for highest foreclosure rate in October. Of the Bay State’s 2,979,634 housing units, 594 went into foreclosure, making for a foreclosure rate of one in every 5,016 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Plymouth, Hampden, Berkshire, Worcester, and Bristol.
21. Utah
The Beehive State placed 21st for highest foreclosure rate this month. Of its 1,133,558 housing units, 231 homes went into foreclosure, making the 17th most populous state’s foreclosure rate one in every 4,907 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Tooele, Sevier, Weber, Carbon, and Box Elder.
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20. North Carolina
The ninth-most populous state claimed 20th place for highest foreclosure rate. Out of 4,673,933 homes, 1,031 went into foreclosure. This puts the Tar Heel State’s foreclosure rate at one in every 4,533 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Currituck, Gates, Camden, Bertie, and Scotland.
19. Iowa
The Hawkeye State had the 19th highest foreclosure rate in October. With 321 out of 1,407,100 homes going into foreclosure, the 31st most populous state’s foreclosure rate was one in every 4,383 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Benton, Taylor, Wayne, Fayette, and Van Buren.
18. Oklahoma
The Sooners State landed the 18th spot this month. With housing units totaling 1,741,721, the 28th most populous state saw 423 homes go into foreclosure at a rate of one in every 4,118 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Woods, Greer, Nowata, Ottawa, and Grady.
17. Pennsylvania
The Keystone State had the 17th highest foreclosure rate in October. The fifth-most populous state saw 1,421 homes out of 5,728,788 total housing units go into foreclosure, making the state’s foreclosure rate one in every 4,032 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Clarion, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Delaware, and Allegheny.
16. Alabama
Listed as 24th in population, the Yellowhammer State came in 16th for highest foreclosure rate this month. Of its 2,278,526 homes, 569 went into foreclosure, making for a foreclosure rate of one in every 4,004 homes. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Butler, Mobile, Jefferson, Elmore, and Chambers.
15. New York
With 2,118 out of a total 8,449,178 housing units going into foreclosure, the Empire State claimed the 15th spot in October. The fourth-most populous state’s foreclosure rate was one in every 3,989 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Chemung, Nassau, Tioga, Washington, and Suffolk.
14. Georgia
Ranked eighth in population, the Peach State took the 14th spot for highest foreclosure rate this month. Of its 4,375,039 homes, 1,126 were foreclosed on. This puts the state’s foreclosure rate at one in every 3,885 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Walton, Jefferson, Bleckley, Rockdale, and Talbot.
13. Michigan
Ranked 10th in population, the Wolverine State secured the 13th spot this month with a foreclosure rate of one in every 3,777 homes. With a total of 4,566,504 housing units, the state had 1,209 foreclosure filings. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Montcalm, Monroe, Van Buren, Crawford, and Genesee.
12. Texas
The Lone Star State withstood 3,170 foreclosures in October. With a foreclosure rate of one in every 3,607 households, this puts the second-most populous state in the U.S., with a whopping 11,433,880 housing units, into 12th place. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Liberty, Carson, Atascosa, Childress, and Matagorda.
11. California
The country’s most populous state ranked 11th for highest foreclosure rate yet again. Of its impressive 14,328,539 housing units, 4,030 went into foreclosure, making the Golden State’s foreclosure rate one in every 3,555 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Trinity, Plumas, Shasta, Kern, and Lake.
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10. Connecticut
With 488 of its 1,527,039 homes going into foreclosure, the Constitution State had the 10th highest foreclosure rate at one in every 3,129 households. In this 29th most populous state, the counties that had the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): New London, Windham, New Haven, Hartford, and Fairfield.
9. Florida
The third-most populous state in the country has a total of 9,764,897 housing units, of which 3,237 went into foreclosure. This puts the Sunshine State’s foreclosure rate at one in every 3,017 homes and into ninth place. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Osceola, Dixie, Polk, Broward, and Clay.
8. Illinois
The Land of Lincoln claimed the eighth spot for highest foreclosure rate this month. Of its 5,412,995 homes, 1,796 went into foreclosure, making the sixth-most populous state’s foreclosure rate one in every 3,014 households. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Montgomery, Mason, Dewitt, Platt, and Ford.
7. Indiana
The 17th largest state by population, the Crossroads of America landed the seventh spot with a foreclosure rate of one in every 2,819 homes. Of its 2,911,562 housing units, 1,033 went into foreclosure this month. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Sullivan, Knox, Blackford, Howard, and Shelby.
6. Nevada
Ranked 32nd in population, the Silver State took the sixth spot for highest foreclosure rate in October. With one in every 2,816 homes going into foreclosure, and a total of 1,269,846 housing units, the state had 451 foreclosure filings. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Lander, Nye, Clark, Lyon, and Elko.
5. South Carolina
The 23rd most populous state had the fifth highest foreclosure rate yet again with one in every 2,569 homes going into foreclosure. Of the Palmetto State’s 2,325,248 housing units, 905 were foreclosed on this month. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Dorchester, Newberry, Richland, Spartanburg, and Berkeley.
4. Maryland
Ranked 18th for most populous state, America in Miniature placed fourth for highest foreclosure rate this month. With a total of 2,516,341 housing units, of which 981 went into foreclosure, the state’s foreclosure rate was one in every 2,565 households. The counties and independent city with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Baltimore City, Charles, Calvert, Somerset, and Prince George’s County.
3. New Jersey
With a foreclosure rate of one in every 2,550 homes, the Garden State ranked third for highest foreclosure rate this month. The 11th most populous state contains 3,738,342 housing units, of which 1,466 went into foreclosure. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Salem, Cumberland, Atlantic, Warren, and Sussex.
2. Ohio
The Buckeye State placed second in October with a foreclosure rate of one in every 2,492 homes. With a total of 5,232,733 housing units, the seventh-most populous state had a total of 2,100 filings. The counties with the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Huron, Cuyahoga, Preble, Butler, and Adams.
1. Delaware
The sixth-least populous state in the country, the Small Wonder took first place for highest foreclosure rate in October. With one in every 2,432 homes going into foreclosure and a total of 445,104 housing units, the state saw 183 foreclosures filed. Having only three counties in the state, the most foreclosures per housing unit were (from highest to lowest): Kent, New Castle, and Sussex.
The Takeaway
Of all 50 states, California had the most foreclosure filings (4,030), and Vermont had the least (4). As for the states with the highest foreclosure rates, Delaware, Ohio, and New Jersey took the top three spots, respectively.
Two regions – the Great Lakes and the Mideast – tied for having the largest presence among the 10 states that ranked the highest for foreclosure rates. The states in the Great Lakes region were (from highest to lowest): Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. The states in the Mideast region were (from highest to lowest): Delaware, New Jersey, and Maryland.
Two regions – the Plains and New England – tied for having the largest presence among the 10 states that ranked the highest for foreclosure rates. The states in the Plains region were (from highest to lowest): Kansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The states in the New England region were (from highest to lowest): Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
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