17 U.S. Counties ''Underwater''

According to data as of Sept. 30, 2010, Clark County, Nev. (pop. 1,996,542) has the highest percentage (71) of ''upside down'' mortgages of 386 U.S. counties.

Seventy-one percent of mortgage holders in Clark County, Nev. (home to Las Vegas) are ''underwater'' on their mortgages, i.e., they owe more than their homes are worth.

Clark County is an extreme example, however at least half of the mortgage holders in 16 other counties in the U.S. are also underwater. In addition, nine other counties are very near the 50 percent mark.

The 20 Counties Most Underwater

1. Clark, Nev. 71.1%
2. Osceola, Fla. 66.5%
3. Merced, Calif. 63.1%
4. St Lucie, Fla. 62.4%
5. San Joaquin, Calif. 59.6%
6. Stanislaus, Calif. 57.5%
7. Clayton, Ga. 56.1%
8. Orange, Fla. 56.1%
9. Solano, Calif. 55.6%
10. Maricopa. Ariz. 54.4%
11. Washoe, Nev. 53.3%
12. Pinal, Ariz. 52.6%
13. Flagler, Fla. 52.5%
14. Pasco, Fla. 51.5%
15. Riverside, Calif. 50.5%
16. Kern, Calif. 50.2%
17. Broward, Fla. 50.1%
18. Lee, Fla. 49.5%
19. Canyon, Idaho 49%
20. Henry, Ga. 48.8%