Counties with the highest rate of food insecure children in Michigan
Counties with the highest rate of food insecure children in Michigan
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 5.3 million children lived in food-insecure households in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic put further strain on households already experiencing food hardship, with Feeding America estimating that 13 million children may experience food insecurity in 2021—that’s one in six children. 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 Michigan 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 2019.
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#50. St. Clair County
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.8%
--- Number of food insecure children: 4,980
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 79.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 21.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 13.7%
#49. Alpena County
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.9%
--- Number of food insecure children: 800
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 92.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 9.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 14.9%
#48. Montcalm County
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.9%
--- Number of food insecure children: 2,120
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 94.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 6.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 13.9%
#47. Branch County
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.0%
--- Number of food insecure children: 1,500
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 98.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 2.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 13.7%
#46. Manistee County
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.1%
--- Number of food insecure children: 650
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 88.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 12.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 13.4%
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#45. St. Joseph County
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.2%
--- Number of food insecure children: 2,290
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 93.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 7.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 13.8%
#44. Otsego County
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.4%
--- Number of food insecure children: 800
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 92.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 8.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 14.1%
#43. Huron County
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.4%
--- Number of food insecure children: 930
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 87.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 13.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 13.5%
#42. Delta County
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.4%
--- Number of food insecure children: 1,110
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 91.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 9.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 14.8%
#41. Wexford County
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.4%
--- Number of food insecure children: 1,190
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 99.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 1.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 14.1%
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#40. Oceana County
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.5%
--- Number of food insecure children: 940
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 100.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 0.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 14.0%
#39. Muskegon County
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.6%
--- Number of food insecure children: 6,310
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 77.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 23.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 13.3%
#38. Alger County
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.7%
--- Number of food insecure children: 220
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 92.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 8.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 14.3%
#37. Hillsdale County
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.8%
--- Number of food insecure children: 1,590
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 91.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 9.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 14.1%
#36. Missaukee County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.0%
--- Number of food insecure children: 560
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 100.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 0.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 14.6%
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#35. Iron County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.1%
--- Number of food insecure children: 290
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 100.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 0.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 14.4%
#34. Keweenaw County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.2%
--- Number of food insecure children: 50
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 100.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 0.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 12.3%
#33. Gogebic County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.2%
--- Number of food insecure children: 380
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 97.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 4.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 15.1%
#32. Tuscola County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.2%
--- Number of food insecure children: 1,780
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 88.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 12.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 14.5%
#31. Calhoun County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.4%
--- Number of food insecure children: 5,050
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 75.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 25.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 14.2%
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#30. Newaygo County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.5%
--- Number of food insecure children: 1,810
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 84.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 16.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 14.3%
#29. Berrien County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.5%
--- Number of food insecure children: 5,600
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 73.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 28.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 13.8%
#28. Sanilac County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.6%
--- Number of food insecure children: 1,480
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 94.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 6.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 14.9%
#27. Mecosta County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.7%
--- Number of food insecure children: 1,340
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 93.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 8.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 15.4%
#26. Bay County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.7%
--- Number of food insecure children: 3,550
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 78.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 22.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 14.3%
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#25. Mason County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.9%
--- Number of food insecure children: 1,000
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 88.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 13.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 14.5%
#24. Kalkaska County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.0%
--- Number of food insecure children: 630
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 90.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 10.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 15.6%
#23. Ontonagon County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.1%
--- Number of food insecure children: 120
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 100.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 0.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 15.1%
#22. Saginaw County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.9%
--- Number of food insecure children: 7,410
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 65.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 35.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 14.4%
#21. Crawford County
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.1%
--- Number of food insecure children: 450
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 81.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 19.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 15.9%
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#20. Baraga County
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.2%
--- Number of food insecure children: 270
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 85.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 15.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 14.7%
#19. Osceola County
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.2%
--- Number of food insecure children: 960
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 87.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 13.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 15.5%
#18. Schoolcraft County
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.6%
--- Number of food insecure children: 260
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 79.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 21.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 17.2%
#17. Presque Isle County
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.8%
--- Number of food insecure children: 390
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 77.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 23.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 15.3%
#16. Gladwin County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.1%
--- Number of food insecure children: 930
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 100.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 0.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 16.2%
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#15. Oscoda County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.2%
--- Number of food insecure children: 300
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 73.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 27.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 16.8%

#14. Genesee County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.4%
--- Number of food insecure children: 17,980
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 66.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 34.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 15.2%
#13. Mackinac County
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.2%
--- Number of food insecure children: 340
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 86.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 14.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 17.9%
#12. Arenac County
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.3%
--- Number of food insecure children: 550
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 90.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 10.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 16.6%
#11. Iosco County
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.3%
--- Number of food insecure children: 840
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 100.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 0.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 16.4%
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#10. Alcona County
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.4%
--- Number of food insecure children: 270
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 79.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 21.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 16.5%
#9. Luce County
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.5%
--- Number of food insecure children: 210
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 90.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 10.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 16.3%
#8. Chippewa County
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.7%
--- Number of food insecure children: 1,420
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 88.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 12.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 17.0%
#7. Ogemaw County
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.8%
--- Number of food insecure children: 800
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 95.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 5.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 17.4%
#6. Cheboygan County
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.4%
--- Number of food insecure children: 910
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 85.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 15.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 16.8%
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#5. Wayne County
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.6%
--- Number of food insecure children: 90,140
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 56.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 44.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 15.5%
#4. Clare County
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.9%
--- Number of food insecure children: 1,450
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 91.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 9.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 18.7%
#3. Lake County
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.0%
--- Number of food insecure children: 470
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 88.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 12.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 18.1%
#2. Roscommon County
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.4%
--- Number of food insecure children: 890
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 98.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 2.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 18.0%
#1. Montmorency County
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.8%
--- Number of food insecure children: 340
- Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 100.0%
- Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 0.0%
- Overall food insecurity rate: 18.0%
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