Counties With the Highest Rate of Food Insecure Children in Mississippi

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Counties with the highest rate of food insecure children in Mississippi

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 Mississippi 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. Mississippi has a child food insecurity rate of 20.4%, which ranks #3 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 Mississippi.

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#50. Lowndes County

- Child food insecurity rate: 21.2% (2,960 total)
--- 5.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.0% (9,430 total)
--- 4.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,020,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.31

#49. Marion County

- Child food insecurity rate: 21.3% (1,230 total)
--- 5.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 19.3% (4,790 total)
--- 7.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,300,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.98

#48. Harrison County

- Child food insecurity rate: 21.7% (10,680 total)
--- 5.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.2% (37,470 total)
--- 6.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $19,724,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.27

#47. Newton County

- Child food insecurity rate: 21.7% (1,140 total)
--- 5.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.9% (3,790 total)
--- 6.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,871,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07

#46. Scott County

- Child food insecurity rate: 22.2% (1,680 total)
--- 6.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.9% (5,070 total)
--- 6.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,385,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.92

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#45. Calhoun County

- Child food insecurity rate: 22.3% (750 total)
--- 6.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.2% (2,620 total)
--- 6.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,322,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.13

#44. Perry County

- Child food insecurity rate: 22.5% (610 total)
--- 6.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 19.0% (2,280 total)
--- 7.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,187,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.23

#43. Neshoba County

- Child food insecurity rate: 22.7% (1,810 total)
--- 6.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 19.7% (5,770 total)
--- 7.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,810,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02

#42. Clarke County

- Child food insecurity rate: 23.0% (800 total)
--- 6.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.9% (2,800 total)
--- 6.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,415,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.14

#41. Copiah County

- Child food insecurity rate: 23.0% (1,500 total)
--- 6.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.7% (4,440 total)
--- 3.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,126,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.97

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#40. Wayne County

- Child food insecurity rate: 23.3% (1,180 total)
--- 7.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.8% (3,630 total)
--- 6.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,802,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.08

#39. Covington County

- Child food insecurity rate: 23.6% (1,080 total)
--- 7.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.1% (3,410 total)
--- 6.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,649,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.00

#38. Franklin County

- Child food insecurity rate: 23.9% (430 total)
--- 7.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.0% (1,390 total)
--- 6.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $692,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.09

#37. Lauderdale County

- Child food insecurity rate: 23.9% (4,250 total)
--- 7.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.9% (13,520 total)
--- 6.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,833,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.14

#36. Panola County

- Child food insecurity rate: 24.0% (2,050 total)
--- 7.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.5% (5,960 total)
--- 5.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,127,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.26

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#35. Forrest County

- Child food insecurity rate: 24.2% (4,220 total)
--- 8.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 20.0% (15,010 total)
--- 8.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $7,812,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.23

#34. Chickasaw County

- Child food insecurity rate: 24.5% (1,030 total)
--- 8.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.6% (3,170 total)
--- 6.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,532,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.00

#33. Attala County

- Child food insecurity rate: 25.1% (1,160 total)
--- 9.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 19.0% (3,480 total)
--- 7.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,634,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.92

#32. Yalobusha County

- Child food insecurity rate: 25.2% (690 total)
--- 9.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.9% (2,080 total)
--- 5.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,070,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.20

#31. Marshall County

- Child food insecurity rate: 25.4% (1,900 total)
--- 9.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.4% (5,830 total)
--- 4.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,030,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.23

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#30. Grenada County

- Child food insecurity rate: 25.5% (1,270 total)
--- 9.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.1% (3,800 total)
--- 6.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,955,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.20

#29. Jefferson Davis County

- Child food insecurity rate: 25.9% (580 total)
--- 9.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.9% (1,890 total)
--- 5.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $907,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.98

#28. Warren County

- Child food insecurity rate: 26.1% (2,870 total)
--- 10.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.4% (7,990 total)
--- 5.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,251,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.30

#27. Jasper County

- Child food insecurity rate: 26.7% (990 total)
--- 10.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.5% (2,720 total)
--- 4.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,343,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07

#26. Leake County

- Child food insecurity rate: 27.3% (1,610 total)
--- 11.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 19.5% (4,440 total)
--- 7.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,084,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.92

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#25. Hinds County

- Child food insecurity rate: 28.1% (16,030 total)
--- 12.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.8% (37,160 total)
--- 4.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $20,761,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.47

#24. Amite County

- Child food insecurity rate: 28.2% (710 total)
--- 12.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 21.7% (2,680 total)
--- 9.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,318,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

#23. Winston County

- Child food insecurity rate: 28.5% (1,160 total)
--- 12.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.4% (3,330 total)
--- 6.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,622,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02

#22. Clay County

- Child food insecurity rate: 28.9% (1,280 total)
--- 12.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.6% (3,430 total)
--- 5.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,865,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.38

#21. Pike County

- Child food insecurity rate: 29.0% (2,960 total)
--- 12.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 21.1% (8,300 total)
--- 9.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,081,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

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#20. Tallahatchie County

- Child food insecurity rate: 29.8% (820 total)
--- 13.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.0% (2,530 total)
--- 6.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,302,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.20

#19. Montgomery County

- Child food insecurity rate: 31.9% (720 total)
--- 15.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 19.6% (1,950 total)
--- 7.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,003,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.20

#18. Bolivar County

- Child food insecurity rate: 32.2% (2,490 total)
--- 16.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 20.6% (6,420 total)
--- 8.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,323,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.22

#17. Leflore County

- Child food insecurity rate: 32.2% (2,560 total)
--- 16.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 20.0% (5,750 total)
--- 8.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,928,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.16

#16. Sharkey County

- Child food insecurity rate: 32.6% (350 total)
--- 16.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 19.1% (850 total)
--- 7.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $437,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.19

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#15. Sunflower County

- Child food insecurity rate: 33.6% (1,910 total)
--- 17.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 21.0% (5,400 total)
--- 9.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,798,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.22

#14. Issaquena County

- Child food insecurity rate: 33.7% (60 total)
--- 17.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 23.1% (280 total)
--- 11.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $146,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.23

#13. Kemper County

- Child food insecurity rate: 33.9% (620 total)
--- 17.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 19.4% (1,910 total)
--- 7.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $930,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02

#12. Noxubee County

- Child food insecurity rate: 34.0% (890 total)
--- 17.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 20.5% (2,160 total)
--- 8.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,175,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.38

#11. Yazoo County

- Child food insecurity rate: 34.5% (2,320 total)
--- 18.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 22.6% (6,450 total)
--- 10.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,315,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.19

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#10. Adams County

- Child food insecurity rate: 35.3% (2,350 total)
--- 19.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 21.9% (6,800 total)
--- 10.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,304,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02

#9. Wilkinson County

- Child food insecurity rate: 36.4% (670 total)
--- 20.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 21.7% (1,900 total)
--- 9.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $923,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02

#8. Quitman County

- Child food insecurity rate: 36.7% (600 total)
--- 20.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 22.3% (1,570 total)
--- 10.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $802,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.17

#7. Washington County

- Child food insecurity rate: 38.2% (4,430 total)
--- 22.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 22.9% (10,330 total)
--- 11.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,374,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.23

#6. Coahoma County

- Child food insecurity rate: 38.9% (2,380 total)
--- 22.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 23.3% (5,290 total)
--- 11.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,703,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.17

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#5. Tunica County

- Child food insecurity rate: 39.8% (1,140 total)
--- 23.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 23.0% (2,260 total)
--- 11.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,140,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.13

#4. Claiborne County

- Child food insecurity rate: 40.2% (810 total)
--- 24.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 22.2% (2,010 total)
--- 10.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,070,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.30

#3. Jefferson County

- Child food insecurity rate: 43.3% (680 total)
--- 27.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 21.0% (1,500 total)
--- 9.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $729,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02

#2. Humphreys County

- Child food insecurity rate: 43.6% (940 total)
--- 27.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 25.4% (2,080 total)
--- 13.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,069,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.19

#1. Holmes County

- Child food insecurity rate: 44.4% (1,970 total)
--- 28.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 27.6% (4,810 total)
--- 15.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,472,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.19

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