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Explore national- and state-level data for hundreds of health, environmental and socioeconomic measures, including background information about each measure. Use features on this page to find measures; view subpopulations, trends and rankings; and download and share content.
Washington Value:
Percentage of occupied housing units with more than one person per room
Washington Rank:
Percentage of occupied housing units with more than one person per room
1.2% - 1.8%
1.9% - 2.2%
2.3% - 2.5%
2.6% - 3.6%
3.7% - 9.7%
US Value: 3.5 %
Top State(s): Maine, Vermont: 1.2 %
Bottom State(s): Hawaii: 9.7 %
Definition: Percentage of occupied housing units with more than one person per room
Data Source and Years(s): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 1-Year Dataset, 2024
Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 1-Year Dataset, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2026.
Residential crowding increases the risk of spreading diseases like tuberculosis and other respiratory infections. Further, overcrowding and poor ventilation can create a moist environment that encourages mites, roaches and mold, all of which contribute to respiratory problems. Many studies have established links between asthma and environmental triggers such as air pollution, urban density, poor ventilation and crowding. Living in crowded conditions can also give rise to psychological distress and is associated with behavioral issues and poor academic performance in children.
Between 2007 and 2017, the number of households living in rental units with more than one occupant per room increased from less than 37 million to an estimated 43.4 million.
Those at greater risk of experiencing housing-related health conditions include:
Healthy Home programs have improved health by remedying hazardous housing conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers more information and guidelines in their Healthy Housing Reference Manual, a comprehensive resource for public health and housing professionals. The National Low Income Housing Coalition provides additional resources and policy recommendations for housing challenges.
Healthy People 2030 identifies the quality of housing as a key issue in the neighborhood and built environment domain, and has a goal to reduce the proportion of families who spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Healthy Housing Reference Manual. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2006. https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/21748.
Howard, Amber, Adelle Mansour, Georgia Warren-Myers, Christopher Jensen, and Rebecca Bentley. “Housing Typologies and Asthma: A Scoping Review.” BMC Public Health 23, no. 1 (September 11, 2023): 1766. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16594-8.
Lee, Ju-Yeun, Namhee Kwon, Ga-yeon Goo, and Sung-il Cho. “Inadequate Housing and Pulmonary Tuberculosis: A Systematic Review.” BMC Public Health 22, no. 1 (December 2022): 622. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-12879-6.
Pevalin, David J., Aaron Reeves, Emma Baker, and Rebecca Bentley. “The Impact of Persistent Poor Housing Conditions on Mental Health: A Longitudinal Population-Based Study.” Preventive Medicine 105 (December 2017): 304–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2017.09.020.
Pollack, Craig Evan, Beth Ann Griffin, and Julia Lynch. “Housing Affordability and Health Among Homeowners and Renters.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 39, no. 6 (December 2010): 515–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2010.08.002.
Solari, Claudia D., and Robert D. Mare. “Housing Crowding Effects on Children’s Wellbeing.” Social Science Research 41, no. 2 (March 2012): 464–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssresearch.2011.09.012.
Swope, Carolyn B., and Diana Hernández. “Housing as a Determinant of Health Equity: A Conceptual Model.” Social Science & Medicine 243 (December 2019): 112571. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.112571.
Weitzman, Michael, Ahmareen Baten, David G. Rosenthal, Risa Hoshino, Ellen Tohn, and David E. Jacobs. “Housing and Child Health.” Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care, Housing and Child Health, 43, no. 8 (September 1, 2013): 187–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cppeds.2013.06.001.
World Health Organization. WHO Housing and Health Guidelines, 2018.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535289/.
America’s Health Rankings builds on the work of the United Health Foundation to draw attention to public health and better understand the health of various populations. Our platform provides relevant information that policymakers, public health officials, advocates and leaders can use to effect change in their communities.
We have developed detailed analyses on the health of key populations in the country, including women and children, seniors and those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, in addition to a deep dive into health disparities across the country.
