Counties with the highest rate of food insecurity in Michigan

Written by:
February 5, 2022
Iulus Ascanius // Wikimedia Commons

Counties with the highest rate of food insecurity in Michigan

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 Michigan 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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Charles W. Chapman // Wikimedia Commons

#50. St. Joseph County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.8% (8,370 total)
--- 26.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.2% (2,290 total)
--- 4.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,950,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.76

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Russell Sekeet (amtrak_russ) // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Berrien County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.8% (21,200 total)
--- 26.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.5% (5,600 total)
--- 13.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $11,362,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.14

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Bryan Robb // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Ingham County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.8% (40,100 total)
--- 26.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.9% (8,050 total)
--- 4.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $21,712,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.17

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Bobak Ha'Eri // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Menominee County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.9% (3,210 total)
--- 27.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.6% (620 total)
--- 0.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,784,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.25

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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Montcalm County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.9% (8,840 total)
--- 27.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.9% (2,120 total)
--- 2.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,508,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.98

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Tony Webster // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Marquette County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.9% (9,260 total)
--- 27.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.2% (1,590 total)
--- 9.6% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,413,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.42

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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Oceana County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.0% (3,700 total)
--- 28.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.5% (940 total)
--- 6.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,210,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.49

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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Otsego County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.1% (3,460 total)
--- 29.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.4% (800 total)
--- 5.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,719,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.91

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Charles W. Chapman // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Wexford County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.1% (4,680 total)
--- 29.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.4% (1,190 total)
--- 5.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,221,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.78

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Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Hillsdale County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.1% (6,460 total)
--- 29.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.8% (1,590 total)
--- 8.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,107,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.81

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battlecreekcvb // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Calhoun County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.2% (19,030 total)
--- 30.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.4% (5,050 total)
--- 12.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $9,866,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.03

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National Park Service // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Alger County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.3% (1,310 total)
--- 31.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.7% (220 total)
--- 7.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $703,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.14

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Charles W. Chapman // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Newaygo County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.3% (6,910 total)
--- 31.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.5% (1,810 total)
--- 13.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,407,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.88

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Andrew Jameson // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Bay County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.3% (14,920 total)
--- 31.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.7% (3,550 total)
--- 14.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $7,492,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.94

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Rklawton // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Iron County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.4% (1,610 total)
--- 32.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.1% (290 total)
--- 10.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $855,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.11

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Unknown author // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Gratiot County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.4% (5,880 total)
--- 32.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.7% (1,200 total)
--- 0.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,955,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.94

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kennethaw88 // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Saginaw County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.4% (27,570 total)
--- 32.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.9% (7,410 total)
--- 22.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $13,879,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.94

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Doug Coldwell // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Mason County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.5% (4,210 total)
--- 33.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.9% (1,000 total)
--- 15.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,003,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.78

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kennethaw88 // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Tuscola County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.5% (7,680 total)
--- 33.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.2% (1,780 total)
--- 11.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,744,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.85

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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Missaukee County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.6% (2,190 total)
--- 33.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.0% (560 total)
--- 9.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,152,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.08

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Modlind // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Baraga County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.7% (1,240 total)
--- 34.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.2% (270 total)
--- 24.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $708,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.34

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Recomposemedia // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Delta County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.8% (5,340 total)
--- 35.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.4% (1,110 total)
--- 5.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,618,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.87

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Dylan L. Tanner // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Alpena County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.9% (4,250 total)
--- 36.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.9% (800 total)
--- 2.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,304,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.17

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Michigan Department of Natural Resources // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Sanilac County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.9% (6,140 total)
--- 36.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.6% (1,480 total)
--- 13.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,049,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.91

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Jcvertin // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Houghton County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.0% (5,420 total)
--- 37.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 12.4% (900 total)
--- 15.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,008,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.25

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RomanKahler // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Ontonagon County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.1% (890 total)
--- 38.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.1% (120 total)
--- 17.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $468,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07

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Bobak Ha'Eri // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Gogebic County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.1% (2,280 total)
--- 38.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.2% (380 total)
--- 11.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,189,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Isabella County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.2% (10,730 total)
--- 39.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.7% (1,680 total)
--- 6.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,289,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.88

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Flintmichigan // Wikicommons

#22. Genesee County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.2% (61,960 total)
--- 39.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.4% (17,980 total)
--- 32.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $32,292,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

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David Coats // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Presque Isle County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.3% (1,940 total)
--- 40.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.8% (390 total)
--- 28.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,021,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.08

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Doug Coldwell // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Mecosta County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.4% (6,660 total)
--- 41.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.7% (1,340 total)
--- 14.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,158,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.77

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Charles W. Chapman // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Osceola County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.5% (3,610 total)
--- 42.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.2% (960 total)
--- 24.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,642,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.66

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PhotosByMahin // Pixabay

#18. Wayne County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.5% (271,600 total)
--- 42.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.6% (90,140 total)
--- 47.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $144,046,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.10

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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Kalkaska County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.6% (2,750 total)
--- 43.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.0% (630 total)
--- 16.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,447,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.08

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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Crawford County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.9% (2,210 total)
--- 45.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.1% (450 total)
--- 24.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,093,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.89

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User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Gladwin County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.2% (4,100 total)
--- 48.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.1% (930 total)
--- 30.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,427,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.46

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Charles W. Chapman // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Luce County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.3% (1,030 total)
--- 49.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.5% (210 total)
--- 40.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $554,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.14

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Nick Nolte // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Iosco County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.4% (4,140 total)
--- 50.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.3% (840 total)
--- 39.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,167,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.06

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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Alcona County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.5% (1,710 total)
--- 51.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.4% (270 total)
--- 39.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $851,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.91

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Ian Poellet (User:Werewombat) // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Arenac County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.6% (2,500 total)
--- 52.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.3% (550 total)
--- 39.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,261,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.95

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USFWSmidwest // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Oscoda County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.8% (1,390 total)
--- 54.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.2% (300 total)
--- 31.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $697,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.93

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Cwbash (Charles W. Bash) // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Cheboygan County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.8% (4,280 total)
--- 54.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.4% (910 total)
--- 46.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,275,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.11

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P199 // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Chippewa County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.0% (6,390 total)
--- 56.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.7% (1,420 total)
--- 41.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,376,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.09

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Charles W. Chapman // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Schoolcraft County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.2% (1,380 total)
--- 57.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.6% (260 total)
--- 27.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $702,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.97

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Elevatorrailfan // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Ogemaw County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.4% (3,640 total)
--- 59.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.8% (800 total)
--- 42.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,613,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.59

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Jeffness // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Mackinac County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.9% (1,930 total)
--- 64.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.2% (340 total)
--- 38.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,023,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.10

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Henry Schenck Tanner // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Montmorency County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.0% (1,660 total)
--- 65.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.8% (340 total)
--- 69.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $873,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.08

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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Roscommon County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.0% (4,300 total)
--- 65.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.4% (890 total)
--- 67.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,162,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.94

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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Lake County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.1% (2,150 total)
--- 66.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.0% (470 total)
--- 64.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,046,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.85

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Iulus Ascanius // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Clare County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.7% (5,730 total)
--- 71.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.9% (1,450 total)
--- 63.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,317,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.39

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