Counties with the highest rate of food insecure children in Kentucky

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

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 Kentucky 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. Kentucky has a child food insecurity rate of 16.1%, which ranks #13 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 Kentucky.

#50. Trigg County

- Child food insecurity rate: 19.6% (630 total)
--- 3.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.0% (2,040 total)
--- 2.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $965,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.94

#49. Clinton County

- Child food insecurity rate: 19.7% (430 total)
--- 3.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.9% (1,620 total)
--- 4.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $733,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.81

#48. Pulaski County

- Child food insecurity rate: 19.8% (2,860 total)
--- 3.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.7% (10,790 total)
--- 4.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,928,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.84

#47. Boyd County

- Child food insecurity rate: 19.9% (2,020 total)
--- 3.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.0% (7,590 total)
--- 4.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,530,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.89

#46. Morgan County

- Child food insecurity rate: 19.9% (490 total)
--- 3.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.8% (2,230 total)
--- 5.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,039,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.89

#45. Monroe County

- Child food insecurity rate: 20.2% (480 total)
--- 4.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.8% (1,780 total)
--- 5.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $829,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.89

#44. Rockcastle County

- Child food insecurity rate: 20.2% (750 total)
--- 4.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.4% (2,760 total)
--- 4.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,226,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.76

#43. Fleming County

- Child food insecurity rate: 20.3% (720 total)
--- 4.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.3% (2,370 total)
--- 4.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,104,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.89

#42. Greenup County

- Child food insecurity rate: 20.3% (1,540 total)
--- 4.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.1% (5,350 total)
--- 3.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,731,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.17

#41. Webster County

- Child food insecurity rate: 20.3% (610 total)
--- 4.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.8% (2,180 total)
--- 5.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,016,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.89

#40. Green County

- Child food insecurity rate: 20.5% (470 total)
--- 4.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.3% (1,910 total)
--- 5.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $859,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.79

#39. Powell County

- Child food insecurity rate: 20.5% (620 total)
--- 4.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.3% (2,120 total)
--- 5.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $998,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.92

#38. Rowan County

- Child food insecurity rate: 20.5% (990 total)
--- 4.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.4% (4,260 total)
--- 5.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,984,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.89

#37. Wayne County

- Child food insecurity rate: 20.6% (880 total)
--- 4.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.1% (3,300 total)
--- 4.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,492,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.81

#36. Casey County

- Child food insecurity rate: 20.9% (760 total)
--- 4.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.3% (2,760 total)
--- 5.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,226,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.76

#35. Lawrence County

- Child food insecurity rate: 20.9% (790 total)
--- 4.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.5% (2,890 total)
--- 6.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,277,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.74

#34. Caldwell County

- Child food insecurity rate: 21.1% (600 total)
--- 5.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.5% (1,970 total)
--- 3.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $918,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.89

#33. Hopkins County

- Child food insecurity rate: 21.1% (2,180 total)
--- 5.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.7% (7,050 total)
--- 3.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,286,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.89

#32. Hickman County

- Child food insecurity rate: 21.2% (190 total)
--- 5.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.4% (640 total)
--- 2.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $291,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.83

#31. Marion County

- Child food insecurity rate: 21.3% (990 total)
--- 5.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.2% (3,120 total)
--- 4.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,404,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.79

#30. Carroll County

- Child food insecurity rate: 21.6% (600 total)
--- 5.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.1% (1,730 total)
--- 4.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $807,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.90

#29. McCreary County

- Child food insecurity rate: 21.6% (820 total)
--- 5.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 20.2% (3,500 total)
--- 8.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,630,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.89

#28. Grayson County

- Child food insecurity rate: 22.0% (1,390 total)
--- 5.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.6% (4,640 total)
--- 5.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,960,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.62

#27. Metcalfe County

- Child food insecurity rate: 22.0% (520 total)
--- 5.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.8% (1,690 total)
--- 5.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $751,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.76

#26. Bath County

- Child food insecurity rate: 22.1% (700 total)
--- 6.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.6% (2,310 total)
--- 6.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,088,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.92

#25. Christian County

- Child food insecurity rate: 22.2% (4,290 total)
--- 6.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.4% (11,010 total)
--- 3.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,206,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.94

#24. Martin County

- Child food insecurity rate: 22.2% (500 total)
--- 6.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.8% (2,150 total)
--- 7.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $996,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.88

#23. Perry County

- Child food insecurity rate: 22.3% (1,340 total)
--- 6.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.1% (4,750 total)
--- 6.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,272,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.97

#22. Carter County

- Child food insecurity rate: 22.8% (1,420 total)
--- 6.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.4% (4,970 total)
--- 6.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,649,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.31

#21. Barren County

- Child food insecurity rate: 23.8% (2,480 total)
--- 7.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.8% (7,860 total)
--- 6.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,493,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.76

#20. Pike County

- Child food insecurity rate: 23.8% (2,870 total)
--- 7.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 19.2% (11,260 total)
--- 7.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,405,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.98

#19. Knox County

- Child food insecurity rate: 23.9% (1,740 total)
--- 7.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 20.6% (6,450 total)
--- 8.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,962,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.85

#18. Jackson County

- Child food insecurity rate: 24.0% (720 total)
--- 7.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 21.9% (2,920 total)
--- 10.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,284,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.73

#17. Lewis County

- Child food insecurity rate: 24.0% (720 total)
--- 7.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 19.6% (2,610 total)
--- 7.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,143,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.72

#16. Menifee County

- Child food insecurity rate: 24.3% (330 total)
--- 8.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.5% (1,130 total)
--- 5.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $526,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.89

#15. Owsley County

- Child food insecurity rate: 25.0% (210 total)
--- 8.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 21.7% (960 total)
--- 9.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $422,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.73

#14. Estill County

- Child food insecurity rate: 25.8% (760 total)
--- 9.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 20.2% (2,870 total)
--- 8.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,346,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.91

#13. Floyd County

- Child food insecurity rate: 25.9% (2,020 total)
--- 9.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 20.8% (7,470 total)
--- 9.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,665,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

#12. Bell County

- Child food insecurity rate: 26.1% (1,460 total)
--- 10.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 21.9% (5,790 total)
--- 10.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,667,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.86

#11. Elliott County

- Child food insecurity rate: 26.7% (360 total)
--- 10.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 20.8% (1,550 total)
--- 9.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $826,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.31

#10. Lee County

- Child food insecurity rate: 27.6% (400 total)
--- 11.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 21.8% (1,550 total)
--- 10.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $682,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.73

#9. Letcher County

- Child food insecurity rate: 27.8% (1,320 total)
--- 11.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 22.6% (4,950 total)
--- 10.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,336,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.93

#8. Wolfe County

- Child food insecurity rate: 27.8% (460 total)
--- 11.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 25.9% (1,860 total)
--- 14.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $866,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.89

#7. Fulton County

- Child food insecurity rate: 28.1% (360 total)
--- 12.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.1% (1,040 total)
--- 5.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $473,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.83

#6. Knott County

- Child food insecurity rate: 28.9% (870 total)
--- 12.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 22.2% (3,340 total)
--- 10.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,576,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.93

#5. Clay County

- Child food insecurity rate: 29.4% (1,250 total)
--- 13.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 23.5% (4,720 total)
--- 11.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,075,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.73

#4. Leslie County

- Child food insecurity rate: 29.6% (630 total)
--- 13.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 22.9% (2,310 total)
--- 11.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,105,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.97

#3. Breathitt County

- Child food insecurity rate: 30.7% (810 total)
--- 14.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 24.5% (3,140 total)
--- 12.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,502,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.97

#2. Harlan County

- Child food insecurity rate: 31.6% (1,910 total)
--- 15.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 25.4% (6,680 total)
--- 13.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,171,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.95

#1. Magoffin County

- Child food insecurity rate: 32.6% (930 total)
--- 16.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 25.1% (3,100 total)
--- 13.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,437,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.88

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