Counties With the Highest Rate of Food Insecurity in Mississippi

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Counties with the highest rate of food insecurity in Mississippi

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 Mississippi 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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#50. Wayne County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.4% (3,750 total)
--- 68.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.8% (1,200 total)
--- 63.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,958,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

#49. Jefferson Davis County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.5% (2,100 total)
--- 69.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.0% (590 total)
--- 78.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,092,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.04

#48. Clarke County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.5% (2,910 total)
--- 69.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.4% (830 total)
--- 60.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,498,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.01

#47. Oktibbeha County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.5% (9,160 total)
--- 69.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.2% (1,570 total)
--- 24.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,189,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.31

#46. Jones County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.5% (12,640 total)
--- 69.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.8% (3,780 total)
--- 49.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,595,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

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#45. Covington County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.6% (3,520 total)
--- 70.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.6% (1,160 total)
--- 68.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,859,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.09

#44. Lauderdale County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.7% (14,250 total)
--- 71.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.1% (4,160 total)
--- 58.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $7,430,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

#43. Grenada County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.8% (3,960 total)
--- 72.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.4% (1,220 total)
--- 67.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,133,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.15

#42. Winston County

- Food insecurity rate: 19.1% (3,490 total)
--- 75.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.8% (1,090 total)
--- 83.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,862,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.12

#41. Tippah County

- Food insecurity rate: 19.1% (4,210 total)
--- 75.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.0% (1,130 total)
--- 43.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,006,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.79

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#40. Hancock County

- Food insecurity rate: 19.1% (8,950 total)
--- 75.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.5% (2,020 total)
--- 40.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,902,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.20

#39. Walthall County

- Food insecurity rate: 19.2% (2,780 total)
--- 76.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.7% (800 total)
--- 62.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,435,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02

#38. Harrison County

- Food insecurity rate: 19.2% (39,200 total)
--- 76.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.7% (10,690 total)
--- 48.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $21,374,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.19

#37. Calhoun County

- Food insecurity rate: 19.3% (2,790 total)
--- 77.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.4% (810 total)
--- 60.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,477,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.10

#36. Choctaw County

- Food insecurity rate: 19.4% (1,600 total)
--- 78.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.0% (450 total)
--- 71.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $879,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.22

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#35. Stone County

- Food insecurity rate: 19.4% (3,550 total)
--- 78.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.3% (920 total)
--- 59.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,018,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.32

#34. George County

- Food insecurity rate: 19.4% (4,650 total)
--- 78.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.7% (1,250 total)
--- 34.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,366,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.98

#33. Greene County

- Food insecurity rate: 19.5% (2,660 total)
--- 78.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.5% (570 total)
--- 47.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,474,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.24

#32. Scott County

- Food insecurity rate: 19.6% (5,550 total)
--- 79.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.1% (1,820 total)
--- 65.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,627,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.77

#31. Webster County

- Food insecurity rate: 19.9% (1,940 total)
--- 82.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.3% (590 total)
--- 73.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,047,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.16

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#30. Newton County

- Food insecurity rate: 20.0% (4,260 total)
--- 83.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.5% (1,330 total)
--- 67.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,009,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.76

#29. Marion County

- Food insecurity rate: 20.1% (5,010 total)
--- 84.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.0% (1,320 total)
--- 57.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,500,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.92

#28. Perry County

- Food insecurity rate: 20.2% (2,430 total)
--- 85.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.7% (630 total)
--- 55.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,281,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.08

#27. Tallahatchie County

- Food insecurity rate: 20.3% (2,870 total)
--- 86.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 28.5% (800 total)
--- 95.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,498,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

#26. Prentiss County

- Food insecurity rate: 20.3% (5,120 total)
--- 86.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.3% (1,280 total)
--- 52.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,526,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.89

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#25. Montgomery County

- Food insecurity rate: 20.4% (2,060 total)
--- 87.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 31.3% (720 total)
--- 114.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,078,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.06

#24. Tishomingo County

- Food insecurity rate: 20.4% (3,970 total)
--- 87.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.4% (780 total)
--- 26.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,955,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.88

#23. Amite County

- Food insecurity rate: 20.6% (2,550 total)
--- 89.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 27.6% (710 total)
--- 89.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,388,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.18

#22. Kemper County

- Food insecurity rate: 20.7% (2,060 total)
--- 89.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 33.1% (620 total)
--- 126.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,080,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07

#21. Sharkey County

- Food insecurity rate: 20.8% (910 total)
--- 90.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 30.4% (330 total)
--- 108.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $483,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.10

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#20. Noxubee County

- Food insecurity rate: 20.8% (2,230 total)
--- 90.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 31.3% (840 total)
--- 114.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,215,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.19

#19. Leake County

- Food insecurity rate: 21.0% (4,780 total)
--- 92.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.3% (1,600 total)
--- 80.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,309,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.83

#18. Attala County

- Food insecurity rate: 21.2% (3,910 total)
--- 94.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 28.2% (1,320 total)
--- 93.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,092,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.13

#17. Adams County

- Food insecurity rate: 21.3% (6,670 total)
--- 95.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 31.6% (2,050 total)
--- 116.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,454,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.03

#16. Forrest County

- Food insecurity rate: 21.3% (16,050 total)
--- 95.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.5% (4,100 total)
--- 61.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $8,845,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.22

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#15. Neshoba County

- Food insecurity rate: 21.6% (6,340 total)
--- 98.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.8% (2,010 total)
--- 69.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,180,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.93

#14. Pike County

- Food insecurity rate: 21.6% (8,540 total)
--- 98.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 28.7% (2,990 total)
--- 96.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,322,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.96

#13. Sunflower County

- Food insecurity rate: 22.0% (5,760 total)
--- 101.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 31.6% (1,890 total)
--- 116.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,966,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.01

#12. Leflore County

- Food insecurity rate: 22.1% (6,460 total)
--- 102.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 30.7% (2,500 total)
--- 110.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,320,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.01

#11. Coahoma County

- Food insecurity rate: 22.3% (5,190 total)
--- 104.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 32.4% (2,060 total)
--- 121.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,737,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.08

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#10. Yazoo County

- Food insecurity rate: 22.5% (6,420 total)
--- 106.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 31.8% (2,020 total)
--- 117.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,448,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.14

#9. Bolivar County

- Food insecurity rate: 23.4% (7,440 total)
--- 114.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 31.9% (2,520 total)
--- 118.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,902,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07

#8. Quitman County

- Food insecurity rate: 23.5% (1,690 total)
--- 115.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 34.8% (590 total)
--- 138.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $878,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.04

#7. Claiborne County

- Food insecurity rate: 23.7% (2,150 total)
--- 117.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 42.2% (830 total)
--- 189.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,164,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.17

#6. Wilkinson County

- Food insecurity rate: 24.0% (2,130 total)
--- 120.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 38.2% (730 total)
--- 161.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,136,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.12

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#5. Washington County

- Food insecurity rate: 24.0% (11,070 total)
--- 120.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 34.6% (4,160 total)
--- 137.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,972,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.16

#4. Humphreys County

- Food insecurity rate: 24.7% (2,070 total)
--- 126.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 38.5% (870 total)
--- 163.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,089,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.08

#3. Jefferson County

- Food insecurity rate: 24.8% (1,790 total)
--- 127.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 40.8% (690 total)
--- 179.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $923,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02

#2. Holmes County

- Food insecurity rate: 26.2% (4,640 total)
--- 140.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 37.3% (1,710 total)
--- 155.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,533,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.19

#1. Issaquena County

- Food insecurity rate: 29.4% (400 total)
--- 169.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 42.5% (80 total)
--- 191.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $212,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.10

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