Counties with the highest rate of food insecurity in Iowa

Written by:
February 5, 2022
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Counties with the highest rate of food insecurity in Iowa

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 Iowa 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. Tama County

- Food insecurity rate: 8.6% (1,470 total)
--- 21.1% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.6% (560 total)
--- 6.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $745,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.96

#49. Jasper County

- Food insecurity rate: 8.7% (3,210 total)
--- 20.2% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 11.7% (970 total)
--- 19.9% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,722,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.14

#48. Worth County

- Food insecurity rate: 8.8% (660 total)
--- 19.3% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.0% (220 total)
--- 4.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $342,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.04

#47. Emmet County

- Food insecurity rate: 8.8% (830 total)
--- 19.3% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.8% (270 total)
--- 5.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $470,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.31

#46. Calhoun County

- Food insecurity rate: 8.8% (850 total)
--- 19.3% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.7% (280 total)
--- 6.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $430,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.96

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#45. Hardin County

- Food insecurity rate: 8.8% (1,500 total)
--- 19.3% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.5% (480 total)
--- 7.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $776,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.03

#44. Fremont County

- Food insecurity rate: 8.9% (620 total)
--- 18.3% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.1% (200 total)
--- 10.3% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $326,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07

#43. Wright County

- Food insecurity rate: 8.9% (1,140 total)
--- 18.3% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.1% (430 total)
--- 3.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $592,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.04

#42. Woodbury County

- Food insecurity rate: 8.9% (9,160 total)
--- 18.3% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.3% (3,570 total)
--- 8.9% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,775,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

#41. Scott County

- Food insecurity rate: 8.9% (15,320 total)
--- 18.3% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.7% (5,620 total)
--- 6.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $7,951,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.04

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#40. Monroe County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.0% (700 total)
--- 17.4% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 11.1% (200 total)
--- 24.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $335,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.80

#39. Greene County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.0% (810 total)
--- 17.4% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 12.0% (250 total)
--- 17.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $441,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.18

#38. Cherokee County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.0% (1,020 total)
--- 17.4% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.2% (320 total)
--- 9.6% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $538,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.09

#37. Audubon County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.1% (510 total)
--- 16.5% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.7% (180 total)
--- 7.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $270,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.09

#36. Pocahontas County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.1% (620 total)
--- 16.5% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.0% (190 total)
--- 11.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $319,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.01

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#35. Cerro Gordo County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.2% (3,960 total)
--- 15.6% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 12.7% (1,120 total)
--- 13.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,066,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

#34. Pottawattamie County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.2% (8,550 total)
--- 15.6% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 12.9% (2,830 total)
--- 11.6% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,254,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.91

#33. O'Brien County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.3% (1,280 total)
--- 14.7% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 12.9% (420 total)
--- 11.6% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $676,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.09

#32. Henry County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.3% (1,850 total)
--- 14.7% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.8% (640 total)
--- 1.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $879,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.78

#31. Marshall County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.3% (3,710 total)
--- 14.7% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.5% (1,360 total)
--- 7.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,746,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.75

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#30. Adams County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.4% (350 total)
--- 13.8% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.6% (100 total)
--- 6.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $182,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.04

#29. Keokuk County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.5% (970 total)
--- 12.8% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.7% (320 total)
--- 6.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $509,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07

#28. Kossuth County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.5% (1,430 total)
--- 12.8% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.9% (460 total)
--- 4.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $814,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.33

#27. Jackson County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.5% (1,850 total)
--- 12.8% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.9% (640 total)
--- 2.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $947,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.99

#26. Adair County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.6% (680 total)
--- 11.9% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.8% (210 total)
--- 5.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $370,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.19

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#25. Fayette County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.7% (1,930 total)
--- 11.0% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.4% (640 total)
--- 5.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $987,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.99

#24. Clarke County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.8% (910 total)
--- 10.1% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.6% (340 total)
--- 0.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $497,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.20

#23. Page County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.8% (1,500 total)
--- 10.1% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.0% (430 total)
--- 4.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $801,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.12

#22. Van Buren County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.9% (710 total)
--- 9.2% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.8% (260 total)
--- 8.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $327,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.69

#21. Lucas County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.9% (850 total)
--- 9.2% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.4% (290 total)
--- 1.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $432,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.97

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#20. Montgomery County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.9% (1,000 total)
--- 9.2% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.7% (340 total)
--- 0.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $505,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.96

#19. Clay County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.9% (1,600 total)
--- 9.2% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.4% (560 total)
--- 5.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $876,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.20

#18. Jefferson County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.9% (1,790 total)
--- 9.2% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 11.9% (340 total)
--- 18.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $850,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.78

#17. Black Hawk County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.9% (13,150 total)
--- 9.2% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.4% (4,430 total)
--- 5.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,622,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.95

#16. Mahaska County

- Food insecurity rate: 10.2% (2,260 total)
--- 6.4% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.6% (780 total)
--- 0.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,145,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.96

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#15. Humboldt County

- Food insecurity rate: 10.3% (980 total)
--- 5.5% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.7% (330 total)
--- 0.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $508,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.03

#14. Clayton County

- Food insecurity rate: 10.3% (1,820 total)
--- 5.5% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.3% (540 total)
--- 2.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $935,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.00

#13. Clinton County

- Food insecurity rate: 10.3% (4,820 total)
--- 5.5% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.1% (1,610 total)
--- 3.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,303,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.79

#12. Webster County

- Food insecurity rate: 10.6% (3,860 total)
--- 2.8% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.1% (1,170 total)
--- 3.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,838,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.79

#11. Wapello County

- Food insecurity rate: 10.7% (3,770 total)
--- 1.8% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.4% (1,310 total)
--- 12.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,723,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.67

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#10. Cass County

- Food insecurity rate: 10.8% (1,410 total)
--- 0.9% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.4% (420 total)
--- 1.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $718,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.98

#9. Wayne County

- Food insecurity rate: 10.9% (700 total)
--- 0.0% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.0% (310 total)
--- 30.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $325,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.72

#8. Crawford County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.1% (1,900 total)
--- 1.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.6% (660 total)
--- 6.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $980,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02

#7. Monona County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.2% (980 total)
--- 2.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.6% (260 total)
--- 0.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $506,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02

#6. Union County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.3% (1,400 total)
--- 3.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.3% (420 total)
--- 4.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $721,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.01

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#5. Lee County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.3% (3,860 total)
--- 3.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.0% (1,340 total)
--- 23.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,719,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.60

#4. Floyd County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.5% (1,810 total)
--- 5.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.6% (660 total)
--- 27.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $968,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.13

#3. Decatur County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.6% (930 total)
--- 6.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.0% (280 total)
--- 9.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $464,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.92

#2. Des Moines County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.9% (4,690 total)
--- 9.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.5% (1,740 total)
--- 33.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,272,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.83

#1. Appanoose County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.7% (1,710 total)
--- 25.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.3% (550 total)
--- 39.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $783,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.68

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