Counties with the highest rate of food insecure children in Kansas

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

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 Kansas 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. Kansas has a child food insecurity rate of 14.6%, which ranks #21 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 Kansas.

#50. Hodgeman County

- Child food insecurity rate: 15.5% (60 total)
--- 0.6% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.0% (170 total)
--- 2.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $83,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.03

#49. Lyon County

- Child food insecurity rate: 15.5% (1,150 total)
--- 0.6% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.4% (3,450 total)
--- 1.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,662,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.99

#48. Anderson County

- Child food insecurity rate: 15.7% (320 total)
--- 0.4% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.7% (920 total)
--- 0.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $487,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.29

#47. Osborne County

- Child food insecurity rate: 15.7% (120 total)
--- 0.4% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.0% (380 total)
--- 0.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $202,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.31

#46. Lane County

- Child food insecurity rate: 15.8% (60 total)
--- 0.3% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.5% (160 total)
--- 1.3% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $75,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.89

#45. Stevens County

- Child food insecurity rate: 15.9% (260 total)
--- 0.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.6% (530 total)
--- 2.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $252,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.96

#44. Cheyenne County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.0% (90 total)
--- 0.1% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.6% (250 total)
--- 2.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $130,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.24

#43. Wallace County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.0% (60 total)
--- 0.1% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.5% (180 total)
--- 0.3% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $84,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.89

#42. Graham County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.1% (80 total)
--- 0.0% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.6% (260 total)
--- 1.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $138,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.29

#41. Rice County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.1% (340 total)
--- 0.0% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.0% (1,050 total)
--- 0.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $524,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.10

#40. Kearny County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.2% (180 total)
--- 0.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.5% (410 total)
--- 1.3% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $189,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.87

#39. Barton County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.5% (1,030 total)
--- 0.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.5% (3,020 total)
--- 0.3% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,533,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.15

#38. Pawnee County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.5% (180 total)
--- 0.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.3% (740 total)
--- 0.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $379,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.18

#37. Saline County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.5% (2,100 total)
--- 0.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.3% (6,170 total)
--- 0.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,997,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02

#36. Atchison County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.6% (630 total)
--- 0.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.2% (1,970 total)
--- 0.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $987,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.11

#35. Greeley County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.6% (50 total)
--- 0.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.6% (110 total)
--- 2.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $51,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.89

#34. Seward County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.6% (1,130 total)
--- 0.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.0% (1,760 total)
--- 3.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $840,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.96

#33. Reno County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.9% (2,370 total)
--- 0.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.3% (7,040 total)
--- 0.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,511,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.10

#32. Shawnee County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.9% (7,080 total)
--- 0.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.5% (18,610 total)
--- 1.3% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $9,336,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.12

#31. Brown County

- Child food insecurity rate: 17.0% (420 total)
--- 0.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.4% (1,190 total)
--- 0.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $595,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.10

#30. Coffey County

- Child food insecurity rate: 17.3% (300 total)
--- 1.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.5% (950 total)
--- 0.3% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $453,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.96

#29. Jackson County

- Child food insecurity rate: 17.3% (570 total)
--- 1.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.0% (1,460 total)
--- 0.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $734,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.12

#28. Osage County

- Child food insecurity rate: 17.3% (640 total)
--- 1.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.7% (1,850 total)
--- 0.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $927,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.11

#27. Greenwood County

- Child food insecurity rate: 17.6% (230 total)
--- 1.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.3% (740 total)
--- 0.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $358,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.01

#26. Riley County

- Child food insecurity rate: 17.6% (2,150 total)
--- 1.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.7% (9,380 total)
--- 0.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,042,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.00

#25. Harper County

- Child food insecurity rate: 17.7% (240 total)
--- 1.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.5% (690 total)
--- 0.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $344,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.09

#24. Russell County

- Child food insecurity rate: 17.9% (270 total)
--- 1.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.0% (760 total)
--- 0.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $406,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.32

#23. Woodson County

- Child food insecurity rate: 18.1% (110 total)
--- 2.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.1% (410 total)
--- 1.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $197,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.99

#22. Morton County

- Child food insecurity rate: 18.3% (120 total)
--- 2.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.0% (320 total)
--- 0.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $155,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.01

#21. Elk County

- Child food insecurity rate: 18.6% (100 total)
--- 2.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.5% (340 total)
--- 1.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $171,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.12

#20. Bourbon County

- Child food insecurity rate: 18.9% (700 total)
--- 2.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.8% (1,860 total)
--- 1.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $933,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.12

#19. Cherokee County

- Child food insecurity rate: 19.0% (900 total)
--- 2.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.4% (2,690 total)
--- 1.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,495,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.45

#18. Linn County

- Child food insecurity rate: 19.0% (410 total)
--- 2.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.6% (1,320 total)
--- 1.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $760,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.58

#17. Sumner County

- Child food insecurity rate: 19.0% (1,060 total)
--- 2.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.2% (3,030 total)
--- 1.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,524,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.12

#16. Phillips County

- Child food insecurity rate: 19.1% (230 total)
--- 3.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.4% (600 total)
--- 0.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $316,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.28

#15. Jewell County

- Child food insecurity rate: 19.3% (110 total)
--- 3.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.9% (340 total)
--- 0.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $177,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.23

#14. Cowley County

- Child food insecurity rate: 19.4% (1,610 total)
--- 3.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.7% (4,470 total)
--- 0.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,181,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.03

#13. Allen County

- Child food insecurity rate: 19.7% (550 total)
--- 3.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.3% (1,660 total)
--- 1.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $809,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.03

#12. Labette County

- Child food insecurity rate: 19.9% (950 total)
--- 3.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.8% (2,750 total)
--- 2.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,524,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.44

#11. Wilson County

- Child food insecurity rate: 20.1% (410 total)
--- 4.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.0% (1,210 total)
--- 2.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $602,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.09

#10. Crawford County

- Child food insecurity rate: 20.4% (1,720 total)
--- 4.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.3% (5,560 total)
--- 2.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,703,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02

#9. Stanton County

- Child food insecurity rate: 20.6% (120 total)
--- 4.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.0% (200 total)
--- 1.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $93,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.89

#8. Decatur County

- Child food insecurity rate: 21.0% (120 total)
--- 4.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.3% (380 total)
--- 1.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $195,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.18

#7. Sedgwick County

- Child food insecurity rate: 21.0% (27,830 total)
--- 4.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.9% (66,610 total)
--- 1.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $33,725,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.14

#6. Barber County

- Child food insecurity rate: 21.2% (240 total)
--- 5.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.6% (610 total)
--- 1.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $307,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.12

#5. Neosho County

- Child food insecurity rate: 21.2% (830 total)
--- 5.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.9% (2,220 total)
--- 2.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,123,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.14

#4. Chautauqua County

- Child food insecurity rate: 23.2% (160 total)
--- 7.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.0% (530 total)
--- 4.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $282,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.30

#3. Geary County

- Child food insecurity rate: 23.6% (2,440 total)
--- 7.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.3% (4,430 total)
--- 1.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,229,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.13

#2. Montgomery County

- Child food insecurity rate: 23.8% (1,800 total)
--- 7.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.0% (4,820 total)
--- 3.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,400,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.09

#1. Wyandotte County

- Child food insecurity rate: 25.3% (11,610 total)
--- 9.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.9% (21,330 total)
--- 1.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $10,546,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07

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