Counties with the highest rate of food insecurity in Montana
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 Montana 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.
#50. Sweet Grass County
- Food insecurity rate: 7.4% (270 total)
--- 32.1% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 11.9% (80 total)
--- 18.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $145,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.15
#49. Richland County
- Food insecurity rate: 7.4% (830 total)
--- 32.1% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 9.5% (270 total)
--- 34.9% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $523,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.69
#48. Wibaux County
- Food insecurity rate: 7.8% (90 total)
--- 28.4% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.0% (50 total)
--- 23.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $57,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.69
#47. Sheridan County
- Food insecurity rate: 7.8% (270 total)
--- 28.4% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 12.5% (90 total)
--- 14.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $170,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.68
#46. Fallon County
- Food insecurity rate: 8.1% (240 total)
--- 25.7% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 11.3% (80 total)
--- 22.6% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $143,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.49
#45. Madison County
- Food insecurity rate: 8.2% (680 total)
--- 24.8% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.0% (180 total)
--- 4.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $369,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.18
#44. Yellowstone County
- Food insecurity rate: 8.4% (13,410 total)
--- 22.9% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.1% (4,920 total)
--- 10.3% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,975,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.04
#43. Lewis and Clark County
- Food insecurity rate: 8.7% (5,920 total)
--- 20.2% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.8% (2,020 total)
--- 5.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,981,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.95
#42. Petroleum County
- Food insecurity rate: 8.8% (40 total)
--- 19.3% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.0% (10 total)
--- 4.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $21,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07
#41. Broadwater County
- Food insecurity rate: 8.9% (530 total)
--- 18.3% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.8% (160 total)
--- 5.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $285,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.14
#40. Carbon County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.2% (970 total)
--- 15.6% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.7% (280 total)
--- 0.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $513,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.09
#39. Flathead County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.2% (9,210 total)
--- 15.6% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.6% (3,430 total)
--- 6.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,944,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.14
#38. Park County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.4% (1,530 total)
--- 13.8% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.4% (380 total)
--- 8.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $874,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.34
#37. Powder River County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.6% (150 total)
--- 11.9% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.3% (50 total)
--- 18.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $82,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.21
#36. Dawson County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.6% (870 total)
--- 11.9% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.0% (250 total)
--- 11.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $508,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.42
#35. Valley County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.7% (720 total)
--- 11.0% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.5% (260 total)
--- 6.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $457,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.72
#34. Carter County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.8% (130 total)
--- 10.1% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.8% (50 total)
--- 21.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $72,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.25
#33. Judith Basin County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.8% (190 total)
--- 10.1% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.2% (50 total)
--- 9.6% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $99,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.06
#32. Meagher County
- Food insecurity rate: 10.1% (190 total)
--- 7.3% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.7% (60 total)
--- 7.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $101,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.10
#31. Granite County
- Food insecurity rate: 10.2% (340 total)
--- 6.4% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.0% (90 total)
--- 2.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $191,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.28
#30. Missoula County
- Food insecurity rate: 10.2% (11,980 total)
--- 6.4% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.1% (3,130 total)
--- 3.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,555,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.20
#29. Wheatland County
- Food insecurity rate: 10.3% (220 total)
--- 5.5% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.0% (100 total)
--- 23.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $116,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.09
#28. Musselshell County
- Food insecurity rate: 10.4% (490 total)
--- 4.6% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.3% (160 total)
--- 18.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $257,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07
#27. Powell County
- Food insecurity rate: 10.4% (710 total)
--- 4.6% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.0% (180 total)
--- 16.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $384,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.17
#26. Custer County
- Food insecurity rate: 10.4% (1,220 total)
--- 4.6% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.3% (370 total)
--- 2.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $649,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.11
#25. Cascade County
- Food insecurity rate: 10.4% (8,490 total)
--- 4.6% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.1% (2,950 total)
--- 10.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,369,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.01
#24. Phillips County
- Food insecurity rate: 10.5% (430 total)
--- 3.7% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.9% (140 total)
--- 2.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $242,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.30
#23. Teton County
- Food insecurity rate: 10.5% (640 total)
--- 3.7% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.3% (250 total)
--- 18.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $338,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.09
#22. Fergus County
- Food insecurity rate: 10.5% (1,180 total)
--- 3.7% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.0% (420 total)
--- 23.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $618,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.06
#21. Prairie County
- Food insecurity rate: 10.6% (130 total)
--- 2.8% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.6% (50 total)
--- 27.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $74,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.33
#20. Toole County
- Food insecurity rate: 10.8% (530 total)
--- 0.9% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.2% (140 total)
--- 4.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $273,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02
#19. Beaverhead County
- Food insecurity rate: 10.9% (1,030 total)
--- 0.0% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.2% (230 total)
--- 2.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $587,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.33
#18. Ravalli County
- Food insecurity rate: 10.9% (4,610 total)
--- 0.0% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.3% (1,510 total)
--- 25.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,213,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.08
#17. Chouteau County
- Food insecurity rate: 11.2% (640 total)
--- 2.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.1% (220 total)
--- 10.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $333,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05
#16. Golden Valley County
- Food insecurity rate: 11.5% (80 total)
--- 5.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.6% (20 total)
--- 54.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $42,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07
#15. Pondera County
- Food insecurity rate: 11.9% (720 total)
--- 9.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.1% (310 total)
--- 44.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $381,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.09
#14. Liberty County
- Food insecurity rate: 12.3% (290 total)
--- 12.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.5% (100 total)
--- 26.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $148,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.99
#13. Silver Bow County
- Food insecurity rate: 12.3% (4,280 total)
--- 12.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.5% (1,290 total)
--- 26.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,423,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.31
#12. Lake County
- Food insecurity rate: 12.7% (3,830 total)
--- 16.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.1% (1,510 total)
--- 44.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,070,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.16
#11. Treasure County
- Food insecurity rate: 12.8% (90 total)
--- 17.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.6% (20 total)
--- 47.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $47,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05
#10. Hill County
- Food insecurity rate: 13.0% (2,130 total)
--- 19.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.8% (860 total)
--- 28.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,109,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05
#9. Rosebud County
- Food insecurity rate: 13.2% (1,210 total)
--- 21.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.8% (490 total)
--- 28.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $638,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.08
#8. Sanders County
- Food insecurity rate: 13.4% (1,570 total)
--- 22.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.3% (440 total)
--- 45.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $844,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.14
#7. Deer Lodge County
- Food insecurity rate: 14.3% (1,300 total)
--- 31.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.9% (320 total)
--- 50.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $695,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.13
#6. Lincoln County
- Food insecurity rate: 14.6% (2,850 total)
--- 33.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.4% (940 total)
--- 80.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,523,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.13
#5. Mineral County
- Food insecurity rate: 14.8% (630 total)
--- 35.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.5% (200 total)
--- 74.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $344,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.19
#4. Big Horn County
- Food insecurity rate: 15.7% (2,100 total)
--- 44.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.1% (1,050 total)
--- 58.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,107,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.08
#3. Roosevelt County
- Food insecurity rate: 15.9% (1,770 total)
--- 45.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.4% (840 total)
--- 53.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,112,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.68
#2. Blaine County
- Food insecurity rate: 18.3% (1,230 total)
--- 67.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 28.2% (570 total)
--- 93.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $676,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.22
#1. Glacier County
- Food insecurity rate: 18.4% (2,520 total)
--- 68.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.9% (1,170 total)
--- 84.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,360,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.16
