The Most At-Risk Housing Markets

The nationwide housing market faces a number of challenges, but some metros are more at-risk than others. Property data provider ATTOM analyzed housing markets across the U.S. to determine which were most vulnerable to declines, based on home affordability, equity, and other measures in Q-1 2026. According to the Housing Risk Report, the riskiest markets are characterized by high rates of unemployment and high foreclosure rates.

Which counties are the riskiest?

Of the 50 riskiest counties, 12 were in Florida, nine were in California, and five each were in Illinois and New Jersey. The overall riskiest markets identified by the report were Charlotte County, Fla; Butte County, Calif.; Charles County, Md.; Shasta County, Calif.; and Cumberland County, N.J.

Which counties were deemed the least risky?

Meanwhile, some of the safest markets are located in Tennessee. Nine of the 50 least risky markets are located in Tennessee, while five are in Virginia, and four are in Michigan. The least risky counties were Chittenden County, Vt.; Rutherford County, Tenn.; Arlington County, Va.; Tippecanoe County, Ind., and Cumberland County, Maine.