Counties with the highest rate of food insecure children in Maryland
Written by:
September 13, 2022
jerryinocmd // Wikimedia Commons
Counties with the highest rate of food insecure children in Maryland
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 Maryland 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. Maryland has a child food insecurity rate of 12.5%, which ranks #38 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 Maryland.
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Preservation Maryland // Wikimedia Commons
#24. Calvert County
- Child food insecurity rate: 5.4% (1,150 total)
--- 10.7% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 7.2% (6,590 total)
--- 4.6% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,344,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.09
--- 10.7% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 7.2% (6,590 total)
--- 4.6% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,344,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.09
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Farragutful // Wikimedia Commons
#23. Carroll County
- Child food insecurity rate: 5.4% (1,980 total)
--- 10.7% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.5% (14,310 total)
--- 3.3% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $8,374,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.63
--- 10.7% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.5% (14,310 total)
--- 3.3% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $8,374,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.63
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Zrmachuga // Wikimedia Commons
#22. Howard County
- Child food insecurity rate: 6.2% (4,900 total)
--- 9.9% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 7.3% (23,390 total)
--- 4.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $15,134,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.02
--- 9.9% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 7.3% (23,390 total)
--- 4.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $15,134,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.02
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JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D. // Wikimedia Commons
#21. Queen Anne's County
- Child food insecurity rate: 6.5% (700 total)
--- 9.6% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.9% (4,440 total)
--- 2.9% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,893,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.05
--- 9.6% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.9% (4,440 total)
--- 2.9% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,893,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.05
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Acroterion // Wikimedia Commons
#20. Frederick County
- Child food insecurity rate: 8.3% (4,920 total)
--- 7.8% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.9% (22,780 total)
--- 2.9% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $13,095,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.57
--- 7.8% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.9% (22,780 total)
--- 2.9% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $13,095,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.57
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Charlie Stinchcomb // Flickr
#19. Anne Arundel County
- Child food insecurity rate: 8.9% (11,420 total)
--- 7.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.3% (47,920 total)
--- 3.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $27,948,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.62
--- 7.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.3% (47,920 total)
--- 3.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $27,948,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.62
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Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons
#18. Harford County
- Child food insecurity rate: 8.9% (5,020 total)
--- 7.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.9% (22,480 total)
--- 2.9% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $13,457,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.72
--- 7.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.9% (22,480 total)
--- 2.9% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $13,457,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.72
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TownCreative // Wikimedia Commons
#17. Montgomery County
- Child food insecurity rate: 9.3% (22,590 total)
--- 6.8% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.3% (87,190 total)
--- 3.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $58,650,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.18
--- 6.8% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.3% (87,190 total)
--- 3.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $58,650,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.18
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Pubdog // Wikimedia Commons
#16. St. Mary's County
- Child food insecurity rate: 9.6% (2,630 total)
--- 6.5% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.6% (10,830 total)
--- 2.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,144,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.52
--- 6.5% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.6% (10,830 total)
--- 2.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,144,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.52
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Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons
#15. Cecil County
- Child food insecurity rate: 11.5% (2,690 total)
--- 4.6% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.1% (11,470 total)
--- 0.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,111,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.31
--- 4.6% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.1% (11,470 total)
--- 0.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,111,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.31
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Shopkins91 // Wikimedia Commons
#14. Talbot County
- Child food insecurity rate: 12.4% (840 total)
--- 3.7% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.8% (4,020 total)
--- 1.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,467,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.81
--- 3.7% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.8% (4,020 total)
--- 1.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,467,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.81
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Skye Marthaler // Wikimedia Commons
#13. Garrett County
- Child food insecurity rate: 12.9% (700 total)
--- 3.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.2% (3,840 total)
--- 1.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,892,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.06
--- 3.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.2% (3,840 total)
--- 1.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,892,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.06
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Pubdog // Wikimedia Commons
#12. Charles County
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.5% (5,600 total)
--- 1.6% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 7.2% (11,570 total)
--- 4.6% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,324,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.39
--- 1.6% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 7.2% (11,570 total)
--- 4.6% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,324,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.39
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Delta1989 // Wikimedia Commons
#11. Kent County
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.6% (440 total)
--- 1.5% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.0% (2,340 total)
--- 0.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,525,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.05
--- 1.5% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.0% (2,340 total)
--- 0.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,525,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.05
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JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D. // Wikimedia Commons
#10. Baltimore County
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.0% (26,930 total)
--- 1.1% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.3% (85,270 total)
--- 1.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $48,366,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.52
--- 1.1% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.3% (85,270 total)
--- 1.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $48,366,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.52
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Vpuliva // Wikimedia Commons
#9. Washington County
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.1% (4,970 total)
--- 1.0% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.2% (19,850 total)
--- 1.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $10,209,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.19
--- 1.0% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.2% (19,850 total)
--- 1.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $10,209,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.19
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Acroterion // Wikimedia Commons
#8. Caroline County
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.4% (1,210 total)
--- 0.7% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.2% (4,050 total)
--- 0.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,074,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.18
--- 0.7% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.2% (4,050 total)
--- 0.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,074,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.18
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Acroterion // Wikicommons
#7. Allegany County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.4% (2,140 total)
--- 1.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.6% (11,040 total)
--- 3.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,796,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.26
--- 1.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.6% (11,040 total)
--- 3.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,796,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.26
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Linda Roy Walls // Wikimedia Commons
#6. Worcester County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.1% (1,710 total)
--- 3.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.7% (7,130 total)
--- 1.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,092,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.56
--- 3.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.7% (7,130 total)
--- 1.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,092,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.56
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MamaGeek // Wikimedia Commons
#5. Prince George's County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.4% (39,340 total)
--- 3.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.1% (74,130 total)
--- 3.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $43,602,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.65
--- 3.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.1% (74,130 total)
--- 3.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $43,602,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.65
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Eric Fischer // Wikicommons
#4. Wicomico County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.8% (4,480 total)
--- 3.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.2% (13,680 total)
--- 1.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,897,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.13
--- 3.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.2% (13,680 total)
--- 1.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,897,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.13
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Eli Pousson // Wikimedia Commons
#3. Dorchester County
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.6% (1,520 total)
--- 6.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.0% (4,490 total)
--- 2.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,261,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.13
--- 6.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.0% (4,490 total)
--- 2.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,261,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.13
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jerryinocmd // Wikimedia Commons
#2. Somerset County
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.6% (1,120 total)
--- 9.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.8% (3,810 total)
--- 3.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,016,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.29
--- 9.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.8% (3,810 total)
--- 3.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,016,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.29
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Bruce Emmerling // Wikimedia Commons
#1. Baltimore
- Child food insecurity rate: 29.3% (36,110 total)
--- 13.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.5% (93,350 total)
--- 3.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $60,594,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.03
--- 13.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.5% (93,350 total)
--- 3.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $60,594,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.03
