The annual Point-in-Time Count is one way cities track the number of people experiencing homelessness. The most recent count was conducted over a four-hour period in the early morning on Jan. 29, 2026. The data was released April 30, 2026.

• The latest numbers show progress in reducing the number of people living in vehicles in Carlsbad. In 2026, 36 people were counted living in vehicles in Carlsbad. This marks a decrease of 25 people compared to 61 counted in 2025.
• The number of sheltered individuals in Carlsbad increased to 61, up from 42 in 2025, reflecting continued progress in connecting people experiencing homelessness with shelter and pathways to permanent housing.
• The results show the number of unsheltered people experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad was 110, a slight increase from the 101 counted in 2025.
• While Carlsbad makes up approximately 3.5% of the region’s population, it has less than 2.2% of the region’s unsheltered population.

Point-in-Time Count data over the years

2026: 171 individuals - 61 sheltered; 110 unsheltered

2025: 143 individuals - 42 sheltered; 101 unsheltered 

2024: 150 individuals - 38 sheltered; 112 unsheltered

2023: 103 individuals - 43 sheltered; 60 unsheltered

2022: 118 individuals - 43 sheltered; 75 unsheltered

2020: 148 individuals - 54 sheltered; 94 unsheltered

2019: 161 individuals - 59 sheltered, 102 unsheltered

While the Point-in-Time Count provides useful data to point out regional trends, it only provides a snapshot of information, which may or may not accurately reflect the size of the city’s homeless population over a sustained period of time. For this reason, the count does not provide enough conclusive evidence to measure progress towards the City Council’s goal of reducing homelessness in Carlsbad.

Progress reports

The city reports on a variety of data points in alignment with the city’s Homelessness Action Plan to inform the City Council and the public about the progress the city is making toward its goal to reduce homelessness and its effects on the community.

Fiscal Year 2024-25 annual report (July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025)
Fiscal Year 2023-24 annual report (July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024)
Fiscal Year 2023-24 semiannual report (July 1, to Dec. 31, 2023)
Fiscal Year 2022-23 annual report (July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023)
Fiscal Year 2022-23 first semiannual report (July 1 to Dec. 31, 2022)
Fifth quarterly report (July 1 to Sept. 30, 2022)
Fourth quarterly report (April 1 to June 30, 2022)
Third quarterly report (Jan. 1 to March 31, 2022)
Second quarterly report (Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2021)
First quarterly report (July 1 to Sept. 30, 2021)

According to the San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness, 9,803 people in San Diego County were experiencing homelessness in 2026, including 5,108 living outdoors or in vehicles.

North County

According to the 2026 annual Point-in-Time Count: 

• North County represents approximately 37% of San Diego County’s population.
• About 18%, or at least 1,742 people of the San Diego region’s homeless population on any given night is in North County.
• The total number of people experiencing homelessness in the North County Coastal area increased from 769 in 2025 to 847 in 2026, an increase of 10%.
• The North County Coastal unsheltered population increased from 510 individuals in 2025 to 536 individuals in 2026, an increase of 5%.
• The North County overall area experienced a 2% decrease in the unsheltered population.

According to the annual Point-in-Time Count:

More than half-a million people experienced homelessness in the United States last year.  

The largest number of people experiencing homelessness were individuals followed by people in families, people experiencing chronic homelessness, veterans, and unaccompanied youth.

California has the highest number of people experiencing homelessness followed by the states of New York, Florida, Texas and Washington.

Since 2020, California’s overall homeless population has increased about 6% compared to 0.4% in the rest of the country.

Most of the increase in California results from a 17% increase in the number of people living in a shelter while experiencing homelessness. The unsheltered homeless population, which is more visible, has increased 2% since 2020.