Counties with the highest rate of food insecure children in Arkansas

Written by:
September 13, 2022
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Counties with the highest rate of food insecure children in Arkansas

Food insecurity is a widespread problem in the United States, with people experiencing food insecurity in every single county in the nation. The nonprofit Feeding America describes food insecurity as "a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life."

Food insecurity hits children particularly hard. The USDA estimates that more than 5.5 million children lived in food-insecure households in 2021. Not having consistent access to enough food can affect cognitive abilities, overall health, moods, and attention spans—not to mention the psychological effects of living with scarcity.

Stacker compiled a list of counties in Arkansas with the highest rate of food insecure children using data from Feeding America. Counties are ranked by highest percent of children with food insecurity as of 2020. Arkansas has a child food insecurity rate of 19.7%, which ranks #5 highest among all states.

States with the highest rate of food insecure children
#1. Louisiana: 21.5%
#2. New Mexico: 20.5%
#3. Mississippi: 20.4%
#4. Alabama: 19.8%
#5. Arkansas: 19.7%

States with the lowest rate of food insecure children
#1. North Dakota: 8.1%
#2. Massachusetts: 8.8%
#3. New Jersey: 9.0%
#4. Minnesota: 9.3%
#5. New Hampshire: 9.5%

Read on to see where food insecurity is most prevalent in Arkansas.

#50. Hot Spring County

- Child food insecurity rate: 20.5% (1,470 total)
--- 4.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.8% (5,330 total)
--- 4.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,531,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.95

#49. Van Buren County

- Child food insecurity rate: 20.6% (660 total)
--- 4.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.7% (2,930 total)
--- 5.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,494,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.17

#48. Little River County

- Child food insecurity rate: 20.8% (570 total)
--- 4.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.3% (1,760 total)
--- 2.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $847,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.99

#47. Logan County

- Child food insecurity rate: 20.8% (980 total)
--- 4.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.3% (3,730 total)
--- 5.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,702,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.83

#46. Arkansas County

- Child food insecurity rate: 20.9% (850 total)
--- 4.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.7% (2,610 total)
--- 2.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,270,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02

#45. Greene County

- Child food insecurity rate: 20.9% (2,300 total)
--- 4.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.0% (7,700 total)
--- 5.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,464,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.79

#44. Randolph County

- Child food insecurity rate: 20.9% (880 total)
--- 4.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.6% (3,150 total)
--- 5.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,415,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.79

#43. Cleveland County

- Child food insecurity rate: 21.1% (390 total)
--- 5.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.6% (1,170 total)
--- 2.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $582,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.09

#42. Craighead County

- Child food insecurity rate: 21.1% (5,700 total)
--- 5.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.0% (17,490 total)
--- 4.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $8,087,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.87

#41. Stone County

- Child food insecurity rate: 21.1% (520 total)
--- 5.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 19.3% (2,430 total)
--- 7.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,233,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.15

#40. Sebastian County

- Child food insecurity rate: 21.2% (6,480 total)
--- 5.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.5% (21,040 total)
--- 4.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $9,831,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.90

#39. Franklin County

- Child food insecurity rate: 21.3% (870 total)
--- 5.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 19.1% (3,400 total)
--- 7.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,551,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.83

#38. Calhoun County

- Child food insecurity rate: 21.8% (210 total)
--- 5.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.0% (670 total)
--- 1.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $313,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.90

#37. Cross County

- Child food insecurity rate: 21.8% (860 total)
--- 5.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.9% (2,640 total)
--- 4.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,160,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.73

#36. Marion County

- Child food insecurity rate: 21.8% (660 total)
--- 5.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.2% (3,010 total)
--- 6.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,563,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.23

#35. Bradley County

- Child food insecurity rate: 22.5% (590 total)
--- 6.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.9% (1,620 total)
--- 3.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $805,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.09

#34. Lincoln County

- Child food insecurity rate: 22.5% (500 total)
--- 6.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.2% (2,010 total)
--- 3.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $988,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

#33. Poinsett County

- Child food insecurity rate: 22.7% (1,290 total)
--- 6.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.2% (4,330 total)
--- 6.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,869,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.68

#32. Montgomery County

- Child food insecurity rate: 22.9% (380 total)
--- 6.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.2% (1,630 total)
--- 6.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $815,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.10

#31. Clay County

- Child food insecurity rate: 23.1% (730 total)
--- 7.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.8% (2,760 total)
--- 7.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,223,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.75

#30. Dallas County

- Child food insecurity rate: 23.4% (350 total)
--- 7.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.1% (1,000 total)
--- 2.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $465,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.89

#29. Izard County

- Child food insecurity rate: 23.4% (560 total)
--- 7.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.1% (2,450 total)
--- 6.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,257,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.19

#28. Polk County

- Child food insecurity rate: 23.4% (1,080 total)
--- 7.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.8% (3,770 total)
--- 7.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,782,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.94

#27. Sharp County

- Child food insecurity rate: 23.6% (840 total)
--- 7.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.2% (3,130 total)
--- 6.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,454,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.89

#26. Conway County

- Child food insecurity rate: 23.7% (1,130 total)
--- 7.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.0% (3,750 total)
--- 6.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,711,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.83

#25. Miller County

- Child food insecurity rate: 23.8% (2,460 total)
--- 7.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.3% (7,090 total)
--- 4.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,551,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.11

#24. Howard County

- Child food insecurity rate: 24.3% (840 total)
--- 8.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.1% (2,010 total)
--- 3.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $919,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.84

#23. Ashley County

- Child food insecurity rate: 24.5% (1,120 total)
--- 8.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.7% (3,330 total)
--- 4.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,646,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07

#22. Drew County

- Child food insecurity rate: 24.5% (970 total)
--- 8.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.5% (2,830 total)
--- 3.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,409,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.09

#21. Garland County

- Child food insecurity rate: 24.6% (4,900 total)
--- 8.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.6% (17,410 total)
--- 5.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $8,575,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.06

#20. Clark County

- Child food insecurity rate: 25.0% (1,060 total)
--- 8.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.9% (3,790 total)
--- 5.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,861,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

#19. Pulaski County

- Child food insecurity rate: 25.0% (22,870 total)
--- 8.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.7% (57,690 total)
--- 2.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $29,296,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.15

#18. Union County

- Child food insecurity rate: 25.1% (2,360 total)
--- 9.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.9% (6,210 total)
--- 4.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,989,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.99

#17. Hempstead County

- Child food insecurity rate: 25.7% (1,420 total)
--- 9.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.5% (3,370 total)
--- 3.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,545,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.85

#16. Searcy County

- Child food insecurity rate: 25.7% (400 total)
--- 9.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 20.3% (1,600 total)
--- 8.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $829,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.22

#15. Jackson County

- Child food insecurity rate: 25.8% (870 total)
--- 9.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 19.4% (3,270 total)
--- 7.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,527,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.90

#14. Woodruff County

- Child food insecurity rate: 26.6% (370 total)
--- 10.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.9% (1,090 total)
--- 5.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $511,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.91

#13. Columbia County

- Child food insecurity rate: 27.7% (1,360 total)
--- 11.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.4% (4,110 total)
--- 5.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,976,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.99

#12. Nevada County

- Child food insecurity rate: 28.7% (540 total)
--- 12.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.0% (1,410 total)
--- 5.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $640,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.82

#11. Mississippi County

- Child food insecurity rate: 29.5% (3,210 total)
--- 13.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.3% (7,590 total)
--- 6.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,594,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.94

#10. Ouachita County

- Child food insecurity rate: 30.3% (1,610 total)
--- 14.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.0% (4,000 total)
--- 5.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,870,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.90

#9. Crittenden County

- Child food insecurity rate: 31.4% (4,130 total)
--- 15.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.7% (8,080 total)
--- 4.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,059,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.12

#8. Desha County

- Child food insecurity rate: 31.7% (940 total)
--- 15.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.4% (2,010 total)
--- 5.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $993,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07

#7. Jefferson County

- Child food insecurity rate: 31.7% (4,750 total)
--- 15.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.3% (11,080 total)
--- 4.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,405,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.03

#6. Lafayette County

- Child food insecurity rate: 32.4% (410 total)
--- 16.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.7% (1,260 total)
--- 6.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $610,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.01

#5. Lee County

- Child food insecurity rate: 35.1% (570 total)
--- 19.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 19.4% (1,740 total)
--- 7.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $750,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.68

#4. St. Francis County

- Child food insecurity rate: 35.1% (1,930 total)
--- 19.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 19.5% (4,970 total)
--- 7.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,183,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.73

#3. Monroe County

- Child food insecurity rate: 36.0% (520 total)
--- 19.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.3% (1,260 total)
--- 6.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $537,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.65

#2. Chicot County

- Child food insecurity rate: 39.8% (920 total)
--- 23.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 20.7% (2,160 total)
--- 8.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,073,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.08

#1. Phillips County

- Child food insecurity rate: 41.4% (1,930 total)
--- 25.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 22.2% (4,020 total)
--- 10.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,960,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.03

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