ATTOM’s newly released Q1 2026 U.S. Housing Risk Report highlights county-level housing markets that are more or less vulnerable to declines in Q1 2026, based on home affordability, equity levels, and other key indicators.
WATCH: ATTOM Figures Friday: Top 10 Highest Risk U.S. Housing Markets in Q3 2025
The analysis noted that 12 of the 50 counties deemed most at risk were located in Florida, followed by nine in California and five each in Illinois and New Jersey. Although housing affordability remains a challenge across much of the country, the highest-risk markets stood out for their elevated unemployment levels and disproportionately high foreclosure activity relative to other counties included in the report.
Also, according to the report, Among the 50 counties identified as least at risk in ATTOM’s analysis, nine were located in Tennessee, while Virginia and Wisconsin each accounted for five, and Michigan had four. While these markets were not necessarily more affordable than others nationwide, they stood out for having some of the lowest unemployment rates, the lowest levels of foreclosure activity, and relatively small shares of underwater mortgages.
ATTOM’s Q1 2026 housing impact report mentioned that the counties least at risk were Chittenden County, VT; Rutherford County, TN; Arlington County, VA; Tippecanoe County, IN; and Cumberland County, ME.
In this post, we dig into the data behind the ATTOM Q1 2026 Housing Risk Report to reveal the top 10 highest risk U.S. housing markets. Those include:
#1 – Charlotte County, Florida
- 0% of income needed to buy
- 4% of properties underwater
- 1 in every 416 properties with foreclosure filings
- 1% February 2026 unemployment rate
#2 – Butte County, California
- 9% of income needed to buy
- 7% of properties underwater
- 1 in every 607 properties with foreclosure filings
- 4% February 2026 unemployment rate
#3 – Charles County, Maryland
- 9% of income needed to buy
- 7% of properties underwater
- 1 in every 585 properties with foreclosure filings
- 2% February 2026 unemployment rate
#4 – Shasta County, California
- 0% of income needed to buy
- 3% of properties underwater
- 1 in every 556 properties with foreclosure filings
- 9% February 2026 unemployment rate
#5 – Cumberland County, New Jersey
- 9% of income needed to buy
- 3% of properties underwater
- 1 in every 398 properties with foreclosure filings
- 7% February 2026 unemployment rate
#6 – Marion County, Florida
- 0% of income needed to buy
- 9% of properties underwater
- 1 in every 647 properties with foreclosure filings
- 1% February 2026 unemployment rate
#7 – Pasco County, Florida
- 4% of income needed to buy
- 5% of properties underwater
- 1 in every 632 properties with foreclosure filings
- 3% February 2026 unemployment rate
#8 – Bay County, Florida
- 5% of income needed to buy
- 5% of properties underwater
- 1 in every 690 properties with foreclosure filings
- 1% February 2026 unemployment rate
#9 – Madera County, California
- 0% of income needed to buy
- 3% of properties underwater
- 1 in every 622 properties with foreclosure filings
- 6% February 2026 unemployment rate
#10 – Lake County, Florida
- 0% of income needed to buy
- 9% of properties underwater
- 1 in every 507 properties with foreclosure filings
- 3% February 2026 unemployment rate
Q1 2026 Top Ten Riskiest Housing Markets Conclusion
The ATTOM Q1 2026 Housing Risk Report identifies where housing risk was highest and lowest across U.S. counties, based on affordability, underwater mortgages, foreclosure activity, and county unemployment rates. Several California markets lead the highest-risk list and counties in states like Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Virginia ranked among the least at risk.
Want to learn more about the most and least vulnerable housing market in your area? Contact us to find out how!
