Florida has highest foreclosure rate in the USA

Florida is the area with the higest rate of foreclosure in the USA, according to new data from RealtyTrac. One in every 1,058 homes received a foreclosure filing last month, 8 per cent higher than in December 2013.

"The monthly increase in January foreclosure activity was somewhat expected after a holiday lull, but the sharp annual increases in some states shows that many states are not completely out of the woods when it comes to cleaning up the wreckage of the housing bust," commented Daren Blomquist, vice president of RealtyTrac.

Business Insider has analysed the group's latest report to rank US metropolitan areas by foreclosure rates. Florida dominates the chart, accounting for eight of the top 10 metros. Port St. Lucie tops the list with one in every 211 homes receiving a foreclosure filing in January 2014, ahead of Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach (one in 239), Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville (one in 279) and Lakeland (291).