Counties with the highest rate of food insecurity in Georgia

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February 5, 2022
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Counties with the highest rate of food insecurity in Georgia

Every county in the United States is home to people experiencing food insecurity, defined by the nonprofit Feeding America as "a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life."

The USDA estimates that 89.5% of U.S. households were food secure throughout 2019—that's 116.0 million people. The COVID-19 pandemic put further strain on households already experiencing food hardship, with Feeding America estimating that 42 million people, or 1 in 8 Americans, may experience food insecurity in 2021. This is a slight improvement from 2020 numbers but still represents an enormous burden for millions of children and adults.

Stacker compiled a list of counties in Georgia with the highest rate of food insecurity using data from Feeding America. Counties are ranked by highest percent of population with food insecurity as of 2019.

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#50. Elbert County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.7% (3,010 total)
--- 44.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.2% (890 total)
--- 45.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,613,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.14

#49. McDuffie County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.7% (3,380 total)
--- 44.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.3% (1,370 total)
--- 73.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,593,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.76

#48. Wilkes County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.8% (1,560 total)
--- 45.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.8% (520 total)
--- 69.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $901,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.38

#47. Tattnall County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.8% (4,000 total)
--- 45.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.5% (1,070 total)
--- 40.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,086,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

#46. Bibb County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.8% (24,190 total)
--- 45.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.7% (8,920 total)
--- 62.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $12,699,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07

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#45. Muscogee County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.9% (31,170 total)
--- 45.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.3% (10,330 total)
--- 45.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $17,566,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.30

#44. Echols County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.0% (640 total)
--- 46.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.2% (120 total)
--- 9.6% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $342,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.12

#43. Lanier County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.1% (1,670 total)
--- 47.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.4% (430 total)
--- 12.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $913,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.20

#42. Evans County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.1% (1,730 total)
--- 47.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.3% (600 total)
--- 45.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $917,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.10

#41. Rabun County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.1% (2,680 total)
--- 47.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.9% (490 total)
--- 22.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,345,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.93

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#40. Decatur County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.1% (4,310 total)
--- 47.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.5% (1,400 total)
--- 47.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,232,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.03

#39. Grady County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.2% (4,010 total)
--- 48.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.9% (1,290 total)
--- 43.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,961,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.86

#38. Sumter County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.2% (4,880 total)
--- 48.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.8% (1,720 total)
--- 69.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,599,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.11

#37. Cook County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.3% (2,800 total)
--- 49.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.4% (940 total)
--- 46.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,527,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.19

#36. Pulaski County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.4% (1,840 total)
--- 50.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 27.6% (530 total)
--- 89.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $967,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07

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#35. Taylor County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.5% (1,340 total)
--- 51.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.6% (360 total)
--- 47.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $719,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.14

#34. Brantley County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.5% (3,100 total)
--- 51.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.0% (800 total)
--- 23.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,734,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.27

#33. Chattooga County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.5% (4,100 total)
--- 51.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.0% (1,000 total)
--- 23.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,052,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.93

#32. Bacon County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.6% (1,860 total)
--- 52.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.0% (540 total)
--- 30.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $909,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.86

#31. Meriwether County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.6% (3,500 total)
--- 52.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.0% (1,010 total)
--- 50.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,776,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.97

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#30. Clarke County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.6% (20,980 total)
--- 52.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.1% (4,190 total)
--- 30.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $11,606,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.24

#29. Jeff Davis County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.7% (2,510 total)
--- 53.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.6% (830 total)
--- 41.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,249,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.91

#28. Ware County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.7% (5,950 total)
--- 53.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.5% (2,050 total)
--- 67.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,933,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.88

#27. Atkinson County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.9% (1,390 total)
--- 55.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.2% (540 total)
--- 65.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $681,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.87

#26. Irwin County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.9% (1,580 total)
--- 55.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.5% (440 total)
--- 47.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $813,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.01

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#25. Laurens County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.9% (8,030 total)
--- 55.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.7% (2,670 total)
--- 55.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,286,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.12

#24. Seminole County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.0% (1,420 total)
--- 56.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.2% (430 total)
--- 72.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $787,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.24

#23. Emanuel County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.0% (3,830 total)
--- 56.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.1% (1,250 total)
--- 51.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,751,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.67

#22. Toombs County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.0% (4,580 total)
--- 56.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.9% (1,500 total)
--- 43.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,360,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.01

#21. Charlton County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.1% (2,230 total)
--- 56.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.6% (620 total)
--- 68.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,297,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.40

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#20. Dougherty County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.1% (15,320 total)
--- 56.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 27.0% (5,840 total)
--- 84.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $8,023,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.06

#19. Baker County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.2% (540 total)
--- 57.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.2% (130 total)
--- 38.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $287,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.11

#18. Chattahoochee County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.2% (1,810 total)
--- 57.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.5% (420 total)
--- 26.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,006,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.25

#17. Dodge County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.3% (3,600 total)
--- 58.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.2% (910 total)
--- 52.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,809,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.94

#16. Early County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.5% (1,800 total)
--- 60.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 29.7% (770 total)
--- 103.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,007,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.27

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#15. Jenkins County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.7% (1,550 total)
--- 62.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.4% (500 total)
--- 74.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $780,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.94

#14. Franklin County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.7% (4,030 total)
--- 62.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.5% (1,070 total)
--- 47.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,175,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.16

#13. Wheeler County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.8% (1,410 total)
--- 63.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.7% (290 total)
--- 48.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $729,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.03

#12. Stewart County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.9% (1,130 total)
--- 64.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 31.1% (240 total)
--- 113.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $623,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.23

#11. Terrell County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.1% (1,580 total)
--- 66.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 29.4% (600 total)
--- 101.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $854,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.16

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#10. Telfair County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.1% (2,900 total)
--- 66.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 31.2% (840 total)
--- 113.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,461,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.95

#9. Berrien County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.1% (3,470 total)
--- 66.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.2% (940 total)
--- 38.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,863,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.14

#8. Randolph County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.2% (1,270 total)
--- 67.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 32.0% (570 total)
--- 119.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $717,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.30

#7. Turner County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.6% (1,480 total)
--- 70.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 28.5% (550 total)
--- 95.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $790,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.12

#6. Candler County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.7% (2,020 total)
--- 71.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.1% (650 total)
--- 65.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,022,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.96

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#5. Ben Hill County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.7% (3,190 total)
--- 71.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 27.5% (1,180 total)
--- 88.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,642,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.01

#4. Crisp County

- Food insecurity rate: 19.0% (4,320 total)
--- 74.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 28.0% (1,540 total)
--- 91.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,250,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

#3. Treutlen County

- Food insecurity rate: 19.9% (1,350 total)
--- 82.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 29.9% (440 total)
--- 104.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $690,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.99

#2. Clay County

- Food insecurity rate: 21.1% (620 total)
--- 93.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 36.1% (200 total)
--- 147.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $326,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.08

#1. Clinch County

- Food insecurity rate: 21.4% (1,430 total)
--- 96.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.0% (450 total)
--- 78.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $746,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

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