Counties With the Highest Rate of Food Insecurity in Kansas

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Counties with the highest rate of food insecurity in Kansas

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 Kansas 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. Stanton County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.8% (240 total)
--- 8.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.4% (130 total)
--- 39.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $131,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.20

#49. Rush County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.8% (360 total)
--- 8.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.3% (100 total)
--- 4.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $190,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.09

#48. Clay County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.8% (960 total)
--- 8.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.4% (320 total)
--- 12.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $500,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

#47. Clark County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.0% (240 total)
--- 10.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.2% (90 total)
--- 17.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $121,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.96

#46. Kearny County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.0% (470 total)
--- 10.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.6% (210 total)
--- 27.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $231,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.87

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#45. Lane County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.1% (190 total)
--- 11.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.3% (70 total)
--- 32.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $94,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.89

#44. Lyon County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.1% (4,010 total)
--- 11.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.3% (1,210 total)
--- 11.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,931,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.82

#43. Rawlins County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.3% (310 total)
--- 12.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.1% (80 total)
--- 3.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $168,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.17

#42. Russell County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.3% (860 total)
--- 12.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.0% (280 total)
--- 30.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $464,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.15

#41. Cloud County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.3% (1,100 total)
--- 12.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.1% (360 total)
--- 17.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $584,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.10

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#40. Saline County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.3% (6,750 total)
--- 12.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.1% (2,200 total)
--- 17.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,318,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.88

#39. Ellis County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.4% (3,560 total)
--- 13.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.3% (960 total)
--- 4.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,912,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.14

#38. Sedgwick County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.4% (63,780 total)
--- 13.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.3% (24,270 total)
--- 25.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $32,739,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.00

#37. Smith County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.5% (450 total)
--- 14.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.8% (130 total)
--- 28.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $259,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.36

#36. Rice County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.5% (1,210 total)
--- 14.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.7% (410 total)
--- 28.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $614,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.97

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#35. Jackson County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.5% (1,660 total)
--- 14.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.9% (630 total)
--- 29.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $889,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.13

#34. Sumner County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.6% (2,920 total)
--- 15.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.9% (1,020 total)
--- 22.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,521,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

#33. Reno County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.6% (7,930 total)
--- 15.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.9% (2,550 total)
--- 22.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,906,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.88

#32. Doniphan County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.8% (980 total)
--- 17.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.6% (290 total)
--- 34.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $506,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02

#31. Douglas County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.8% (15,380 total)
--- 17.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.9% (3,320 total)
--- 2.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $8,987,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.42

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#30. Barton County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.1% (3,460 total)
--- 20.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.7% (1,170 total)
--- 28.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,806,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

#29. Osborne County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.2% (470 total)
--- 21.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.6% (150 total)
--- 34.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $258,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.22

#28. Mitchell County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.2% (810 total)
--- 21.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.1% (250 total)
--- 24.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $430,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.10

#27. Coffey County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.3% (1,100 total)
--- 22.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.0% (360 total)
--- 37.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $553,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.94

#26. Brown County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.3% (1,280 total)
--- 22.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.2% (470 total)
--- 31.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $691,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.16

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#25. Dickinson County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.3% (2,500 total)
--- 22.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.7% (840 total)
--- 28.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,328,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.11

#24. Anderson County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.5% (1,060 total)
--- 23.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.1% (410 total)
--- 37.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $587,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.24

#23. Riley County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.5% (10,170 total)
--- 23.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.4% (2,030 total)
--- 12.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,706,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.86

#22. Wyandotte County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.5% (22,310 total)
--- 23.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.4% (10,300 total)
--- 53.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $11,386,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.99

#21. Cowley County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.6% (4,820 total)
--- 24.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.0% (1,690 total)
--- 37.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,418,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.93

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#20. Osage County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.9% (2,210 total)
--- 27.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.8% (770 total)
--- 42.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,174,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.11

#19. Geary County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.0% (4,780 total)
--- 28.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.7% (2,280 total)
--- 48.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,389,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.92

#18. Jewell County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.1% (410 total)
--- 29.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.9% (120 total)
--- 50.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $220,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.14

#17. Harper County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.2% (790 total)
--- 30.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.6% (270 total)
--- 34.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $403,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.98

#16. Atchison County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.3% (2,330 total)
--- 31.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.0% (800 total)
--- 43.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,272,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.19

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#15. Barber County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.4% (670 total)
--- 32.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.7% (230 total)
--- 41.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $367,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.21

#14. Greenwood County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.4% (870 total)
--- 32.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.0% (260 total)
--- 37.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $451,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.03

#13. Decatur County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.6% (420 total)
--- 33.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.8% (120 total)
--- 49.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $231,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.21

#12. Cherokee County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.7% (2,960 total)
--- 34.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.3% (1,020 total)
--- 45.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,633,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.23

#11. Wilson County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.0% (1,300 total)
--- 37.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.5% (450 total)
--- 47.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $662,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.98

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#10. Allen County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.3% (1,920 total)
--- 40.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.4% (630 total)
--- 53.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $991,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02

#9. Bourbon County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.5% (2,260 total)
--- 42.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.6% (880 total)
--- 61.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,135,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.94

#8. Linn County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.8% (1,530 total)
--- 45.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.0% (500 total)
--- 57.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $821,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.14

#7. Montgomery County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.8% (5,130 total)
--- 45.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.1% (1,860 total)
--- 65.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,623,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.99

#6. Labette County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.9% (3,210 total)
--- 45.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.3% (1,160 total)
--- 66.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,659,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02

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#5. Crawford County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.9% (6,190 total)
--- 45.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.3% (1,820 total)
--- 45.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,969,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.81

#4. Chautauqua County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.1% (540 total)
--- 47.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.4% (180 total)
--- 67.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $280,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.03

#3. Elk County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.4% (410 total)
--- 50.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.9% (120 total)
--- 56.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $217,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.10

#2. Neosho County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.4% (2,650 total)
--- 50.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.8% (1,030 total)
--- 76.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,331,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.94

#1. Woodson County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.7% (530 total)
--- 53.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.3% (170 total)
--- 66.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $262,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.89

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