There are many reasons why a community can wind up with too many houses and not enough people to live in them.
Sometimes, it's a simple case of population loss or an economic downturn that leads to a rash of foreclosures. Other times, there are larger forces at work, like developers overbuilding in anticipation of a housing boom that never materializes. COVID-19 swiftly and drastically impacted the housing market across many regions, causing a shortage of affordable housing for most and an opportunity for second or even third homes for others.
Stacker compiled a list of the 50 metro areas with the most unoccupied homes by analyzing data from the Census Bureau's 2021 American Community Survey, released in September 2022 (the most recent available). Metro areas are ranked by the percentage of unoccupied homes out of all the homes in each metro area. Ties were broken by the total number of unoccupied homes in the metro area as a whole.
In 22 of the 50 metros listed, more than 50% of unoccupied homes are for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use.
A nationwide epidemic of unoccupied homes is "America's other housing crisis," according to a CityLab report based on a recent Center for Community Progress study. The report cites the "staggering economic and social costs" that mass vacancies tend to create for the communities they affect. It also points out that the 2008 recession sent the number of vacant homes soaring by 26% between 2005 and 2010, from 9.5 million to 12 million. That number has since declined, but vacancies have still not returned to the pre-recession lows.
The dynamic has shifted since then. Vacant homes were long associated with economically distressed urban centers, often described with the umbrella term "inner city." Today, however, vacancies are the bane of small towns. In post-recession America, rural areas suffer from vacancy rates that are double those found in metropolitan regions.
Keep reading to find out about the metro areas where residents are most likely to live next to an empty house and what factors contribute to the vacancies.
S. Winkvist // Wikimedia Commons
1 / 50#50. Lake Havasu City, Arizona
- Total homes in metro area: 119,446
- Total unoccupied homes: 17,048 (14.3% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 137 (0.1% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 7 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 905 (0.8% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 977 (5.7% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 11,787 (69.1% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 6 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 3,229 (18.9% of unoccupied homes)
Nick Fox // Shutterstock
2 / 50#49. Dothan, Alabama
- Total homes in metro area: 71,409
- Total unoccupied homes: 10,236 (14.3% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 1,060 (1.5% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 192 (1.9% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 989 (1.4% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 413 (4.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 983 (9.6% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 6,599 (64.5% of unoccupied homes)
Felix Mizioznikov // Shutterstock
3 / 50#48. Florence, South Carolina
- Total homes in metro area: 91,081
- Total unoccupied homes: 13,163 (14.5% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 2,056 (2.3% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 408 (3.1% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 901 (1.0% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 196 (1.5% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 347 (2.6% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 130 (1.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 9,125 (69.3% of unoccupied homes)
Susanne Pommer // Shutterstock
4 / 50#47. Charleston, South Carolina
- Total homes in metro area: 370,105
- Total unoccupied homes: 53,727 (14.5% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 16,890 (4.6% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 1,094 (2.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 4,319 (1.2% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 2,440 (4.5% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 14,764 (27.5% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 136 (0.3% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 14,084 (26.2% of unoccupied homes)
Felix Mizioznikov // Shutterstock
5 / 50#46. Port St. Lucie, Florida
- Total homes in metro area: 235,345
- Total unoccupied homes: 34,391 (14.6% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 3,236 (1.4% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 486 (1.4% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 2,515 (1.1% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 1,655 (4.8% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 24,128 (70.2% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 2,371 (6.9% of unoccupied homes)
Logan Bush // Shutterstock
6 / 50#45. Niles, Michigan
- Total homes in metro area: 77,035
- Total unoccupied homes: 11,271 (14.6% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 351 (0.5% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 251 (0.3% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 452 (4.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 7,386 (65.5% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 100 (0.9% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 2,731 (24.2% of unoccupied homes)
gurezende // Shutterstock
7 / 50#44. Rocky Mount, North Carolina
- Total homes in metro area: 66,587
- Total unoccupied homes: 9,747 (14.6% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 454 (0.7% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 128 (1.3% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 448 (0.7% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 271 (2.8% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 562 (5.8% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 7,884 (80.9% of unoccupied homes)
Shoppy22 // Shutterstock
8 / 50#43. Farmington, New Mexico
- Total homes in metro area: 47,980
- Total unoccupied homes: 7,136 (14.9% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 675 (1.4% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 23 (0.3% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 635 (1.3% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 1,275 (17.9% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 27 (0.4% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 4,501 (63.1% of unoccupied homes)
Jarred Armfield // Shutterstock
9 / 50#42. Monroe, Louisiana
- Total homes in metro area: 94,433
- Total unoccupied homes: 14,099 (14.9% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 1,835 (1.9% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 481 (3.4% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 326 (0.3% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 431 (3.1% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 1,141 (8.1% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 9,885 (70.1% of unoccupied homes)
Real Window Creative // Shutterstock
10 / 50#41. Wheeling, West Virginia
- Total homes in metro area: 67,417
- Total unoccupied homes: 10,085 (15.0% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 1,898 (2.8% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 295 (2.9% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 378 (0.6% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 340 (3.4% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 1,094 (10.8% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 69 (0.7% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 6,011 (59.6% of unoccupied homes)
Jessica Kourkounis // Getty Images
11 / 50#40. Atlantic City, New Jersey
- Total homes in metro area: 132,214
- Total unoccupied homes: 19,915 (15.1% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 731 (0.6% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 1,051 (0.8% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 690 (3.5% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 15,213 (76.4% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 2,230 (11.2% of unoccupied homes)
YuniqueB // Shutterstock
12 / 50#39. Lawton, Oklahoma
- Total homes in metro area: 55,351
- Total unoccupied homes: 8,435 (15.2% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 1,427 (2.6% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 622 (7.4% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 429 (0.8% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 559 (6.6% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 391 (4.6% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 5,007 (59.4% of unoccupied homes)
Explorecdale // Wikimedia Commons
13 / 50#38. Carbondale, Illinois
- Total homes in metro area: 65,363
- Total unoccupied homes: 10,071 (15.4% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 1,634 (2.5% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 723 (7.2% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 241 (0.4% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 2,040 (20.3% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 5,433 (53.9% of unoccupied homes)
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock
14 / 50#37. Danville, Illinois
- Total homes in metro area: 34,351
- Total unoccupied homes: 5,344 (15.6% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 1,405 (4.1% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 121 (2.3% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 179 (0.5% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 3,129 (58.6% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 34 (0.6% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 122 (2.3% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 354 (6.6% of unoccupied homes)
Tim Roberts Photography // Shutterstock
15 / 50#36. Sierra Vista, Arizona
- Total homes in metro area: 59,159
- Total unoccupied homes: 9,207 (15.6% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 792 (1.3% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 573 (6.2% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 582 (1.0% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 368 (4.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 2,761 (30.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 4,131 (44.9% of unoccupied homes)
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
16 / 50#35. Charleston, West Virginia
- Total homes in metro area: 126,013
- Total unoccupied homes: 19,703 (15.6% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 1,720 (1.4% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 56 (0.3% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 1,015 (0.8% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 112 (0.6% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 1,912 (9.7% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 14,888 (75.6% of unoccupied homes)
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
17 / 50#34. Lakeland, Florida
- Total homes in metro area: 327,817
- Total unoccupied homes: 51,348 (15.7% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 2,879 (0.9% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 1,414 (2.8% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 1,387 (0.4% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 1,352 (2.6% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 32,536 (63.4% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 146 (0.3% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 11,634 (22.7% of unoccupied homes)
JMcQ // Shutterstock
18 / 50#33. Anniston, Alabama
- Total homes in metro area: 53,211
- Total unoccupied homes: 8,580 (16.1% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 1,098 (2.1% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 248 (2.9% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 521 (1.0% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 1,224 (14.3% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 5,489 (64.0% of unoccupied homes)
Sabrina Janelle Gordon // Shutterstock
19 / 50#32. Texarkana, Texas
- Total homes in metro area: 65,823
- Total unoccupied homes: 10,644 (16.2% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 1,124 (1.7% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 381 (3.6% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 262 (0.4% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 411 (3.9% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 335 (3.1% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 8,131 (76.4% of unoccupied homes)
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock
20 / 50#31. El Centro, California
- Total homes in metro area: 57,101
- Total unoccupied homes: 9,252 (16.2% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 445 (0.8% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 326 (3.5% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 348 (0.6% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 108 (1.2% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 1,439 (15.6% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 125 (1.4% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 6,461 (69.8% of unoccupied homes)
Roschetzky Photography // Shutterstock
21 / 50#30. Corpus Christi, Texas
- Total homes in metro area: 182,771
- Total unoccupied homes: 29,652 (16.2% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 5,583 (3.1% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 1,547 (5.2% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 996 (0.5% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 490 (1.7% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 6,394 (21.6% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 14,642 (49.4% of unoccupied homes)
Noel V. Baebler // Shutterstock
22 / 50#29. Portland, Maine
- Total homes in metro area: 284,005
- Total unoccupied homes: 46,819 (16.5% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 2,893 (1.0% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 733 (1.6% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 562 (0.2% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 1,549 (3.3% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 34,775 (74.3% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 6,307 (13.5% of unoccupied homes)
Dee Browning // Shutterstock
23 / 50#28. Morristown, Tennessee
- Total homes in metro area: 64,582
- Total unoccupied homes: 10,657 (16.5% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 1,066 (1.7% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 74 (0.7% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 236 (0.4% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 688 (6.5% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 3,901 (36.6% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 4,692 (44.0% of unoccupied homes)
ESB Professional // Shutterstock
24 / 50#27. Augusta, Georgia
- Total homes in metro area: 267,028
- Total unoccupied homes: 44,762 (16.8% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 6,869 (2.6% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 1,291 (2.9% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 1,257 (0.5% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 3,224 (7.2% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 8,129 (18.2% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 23,992 (53.6% of unoccupied homes)
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock
25 / 50#26. Duluth, Minnesota
- Total homes in metro area: 150,938
- Total unoccupied homes: 25,942 (17.2% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 2,000 (1.3% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 747 (2.9% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 605 (0.4% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 543 (2.1% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 16,122 (62.1% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 5,925 (22.8% of unoccupied homes)
#25. Tuscaloosa, Alabama
- Total homes in metro area: 123,273
- Total unoccupied homes: 21,448 (17.4% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 2,417 (2.0% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 749 (3.5% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 216 (0.2% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 537 (2.5% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 10,157 (47.4% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 7,372 (34.4% of unoccupied homes)
Noah Densmore // Shutterstock
27 / 50#24. Sebastian, Florida
- Total homes in metro area: 84,979
- Total unoccupied homes: 15,005 (17.7% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 1,526 (1.8% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 136 (0.9% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 1,714 (2.0% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 526 (3.5% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 8,516 (56.8% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 2,587 (17.2% of unoccupied homes)
LMPark Photos // Shutterstock
28 / 50#23. Tyler, Texas
- Total homes in metro area: 98,656
- Total unoccupied homes: 17,481 (17.7% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 5,827 (5.9% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 196 (1.1% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 270 (0.3% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 404 (2.3% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 620 (3.5% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 10,164 (58.1% of unoccupied homes)
Sabrina Janelle Gordon // Shutterstock
29 / 50#22. Alexandria, Louisiana
- Total homes in metro area: 67,329
- Total unoccupied homes: 12,080 (17.9% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 1,801 (2.7% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 323 (0.5% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 1,203 (10.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 691 (5.7% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 8,062 (66.7% of unoccupied homes)
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
30 / 50#21. Macon, Georgia
- Total homes in metro area: 105,240
- Total unoccupied homes: 19,480 (18.5% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 5,654 (5.4% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 992 (5.1% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 705 (0.7% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 3,422 (17.6% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 656 (3.4% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 8,051 (41.3% of unoccupied homes)
Talmon Murphy Jr // Shutterstock
31 / 50#20. Gadsden, Alabama
- Total homes in metro area: 47,420
- Total unoccupied homes: 9,414 (19.9% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 409 (0.9% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 139 (1.5% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 680 (1.4% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 544 (5.8% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 621 (6.6% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 7,021 (74.6% of unoccupied homes)
Tim Roberts Photography // Shutterstock
32 / 50#19. Yuma, Arizona
- Total homes in metro area: 93,797
- Total unoccupied homes: 18,816 (20.1% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 688 (0.7% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 556 (3.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 455 (0.5% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 541 (2.9% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 13,575 (72.1% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 568 (3.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 2,433 (12.9% of unoccupied homes)
#18. Brunswick, Georgia
- Total homes in metro area: 59,063
- Total unoccupied homes: 12,300 (20.8% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 1,258 (2.1% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 504 (0.9% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 538 (4.4% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 5,116 (41.6% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 4,884 (39.7% of unoccupied homes)
James Casil // Shutterstock
34 / 50#17. Glens Falls, New York
- Total homes in metro area: 69,245
- Total unoccupied homes: 14,663 (21.2% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 668 (1.0% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 513 (0.7% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 208 (1.4% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 10,933 (74.6% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 2,341 (16.0% of unoccupied homes)
Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock
35 / 50#16. Watertown, New York
- Total homes in metro area: 61,714
- Total unoccupied homes: 13,086 (21.2% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 489 (0.8% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 1,039 (1.7% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 82 (0.6% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 8,747 (66.8% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 2,729 (20.9% of unoccupied homes)
Kevin Ruck // Shutterstock
36 / 50#15. Asheville, North Carolina
- Total homes in metro area: 236,015
- Total unoccupied homes: 50,592 (21.4% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 6,934 (2.9% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 397 (0.8% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 16,063 (6.8% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 1,885 (3.7% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 11,820 (23.4% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 13,493 (26.7% of unoccupied homes)
Roland Klose // Wikimedia Commons
37 / 50#14. Pine Bluff, Arkansas
- Total homes in metro area: 38,316
- Total unoccupied homes: 8,224 (21.5% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 316 (0.8% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 206 (0.5% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 326 (4.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 1,413 (17.2% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 5,963 (72.5% of unoccupied homes)
Carol Ann Mossa // Shutterstock
38 / 50#13. Punta Gorda, Florida
- Total homes in metro area: 113,469
- Total unoccupied homes: 24,481 (21.6% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 2,049 (1.8% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 526 (2.1% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 1,251 (1.1% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 1,169 (4.8% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 16,976 (69.3% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 129 (0.5% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 2,381 (9.7% of unoccupied homes)
Pat McGinley // Shutterstock
39 / 50#12. North Port, Florida
- Total homes in metro area: 471,288
- Total unoccupied homes: 103,750 (22.0% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 11,962 (2.5% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 2,430 (2.3% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 3,462 (0.7% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 4,022 (3.9% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 67,955 (65.5% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 283 (0.3% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 13,636 (13.1% of unoccupied homes)
RudenkoStudio // Shutterstock
40 / 50#11. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
- Total homes in metro area: 116,119
- Total unoccupied homes: 26,418 (22.8% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 6,345 (5.5% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 420 (0.4% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 332 (1.3% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 16,399 (62.1% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 2,922 (11.1% of unoccupied homes)
#10. Panama City, Florida
- Total homes in metro area: 106,144
- Total unoccupied homes: 26,612 (25.1% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 737 (0.7% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 196 (0.7% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 948 (0.9% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 564 (2.1% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 20,505 (77.1% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 3,662 (13.8% of unoccupied homes)
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock
42 / 50#9. Lake Charles, Louisiana
- Total homes in metro area: 97,193
- Total unoccupied homes: 24,447 (25.2% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 1,148 (1.2% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 381 (1.6% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 862 (0.9% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 522 (2.1% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 1,238 (5.1% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 124 (0.5% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 20,172 (82.5% of unoccupied homes)
Jillian Cain Photography // Shutterstock
43 / 50#8. Cape Coral, Florida
- Total homes in metro area: 428,910
- Total unoccupied homes: 108,444 (25.3% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 8,102 (1.9% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 1,919 (1.8% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 1,714 (0.4% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 2,788 (2.6% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 85,543 (78.9% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 691 (0.6% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 7,687 (7.1% of unoccupied homes)
#7. Crestview, Florida
- Total homes in metro area: 160,839
- Total unoccupied homes: 42,401 (26.4% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 10,913 (6.8% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 639 (1.5% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 941 (0.6% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 491 (1.2% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 23,957 (56.5% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 440 (1.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 5,020 (11.8% of unoccupied homes)
N.A. Qurashi // Shutterstock
45 / 50#6. Daphne, Alabama
- Total homes in metro area: 128,533
- Total unoccupied homes: 34,428 (26.8% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 11,563 (9.0% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 612 (1.8% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 1,003 (0.8% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 609 (1.8% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 15,249 (44.3% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 5,392 (15.7% of unoccupied homes)
#5. Naples, Florida
- Total homes in metro area: 233,635
- Total unoccupied homes: 69,692 (29.8% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 4,937 (2.1% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 845 (1.2% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 1,567 (0.7% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 435 (0.6% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 56,116 (80.5% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 300 (0.4% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 5,492 (7.9% of unoccupied homes)
DANIEL SLIM/AFP // Getty Images
47 / 50#4. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Total homes in metro area: 303,194
- Total unoccupied homes: 92,522 (30.5% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 13,544 (4.5% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 1,830 (2.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 1,853 (0.6% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 1,066 (1.2% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 65,678 (71.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 30 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 8,521 (9.2% of unoccupied homes)
Eliyahu Yosef Parypa // Shutterstock
48 / 50#3. Salisbury, Maryland
- Total homes in metro area: 259,303
- Total unoccupied homes: 82,301 (31.7% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 2,720 (1.0% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 539 (0.7% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 3,016 (1.2% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 269 (0.3% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 67,444 (81.9% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 96 (0.1% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 8,217 (10.0% of unoccupied homes)
JLV Photo // Shutterstock
49 / 50#2. Barnstable Town, Massachusetts
- Total homes in metro area: 165,542
- Total unoccupied homes: 60,809 (36.7% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 1,397 (0.8% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 453 (0.3% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 495 (0.8% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 55,926 (92.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 2,538 (4.2% of unoccupied homes)
Vlad G // Shutterstock
50 / 50#1. Ocean City, New Jersey
- Total homes in metro area: 99,233
- Total unoccupied homes: 50,373 (50.8% of total)
--- Homes for rent: 2,400 (2.4% of total)
--- Homes rented but not occupied: 42 (0.1% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for sale: 423 (0.4% of total)
--- Homes sold, but not occupied: 375 (0.7% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for occasional, recreational, or seasonal use: 46,251 (91.8% of unoccupied homes)
--- Homes for migrant workers: 0 (0.0% of unoccupied homes)
--- Other vacant homes: 882 (1.8% of unoccupied homes)
