Counties with the highest rate of food insecurity in Nebraska

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February 5, 2022
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Counties with the highest rate of food insecurity in Nebraska

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 Nebraska 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. Logan County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.9% (110 total)
--- 9.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.1% (50 total)
--- 24.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $57,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

#49. Deuel County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.9% (220 total)
--- 9.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.1% (50 total)
--- 3.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $120,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.20

#48. Valley County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.9% (500 total)
--- 9.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.8% (150 total)
--- 8.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $275,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.22

#47. Knox County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.9% (1,010 total)
--- 9.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.8% (340 total)
--- 15.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $542,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.14

#46. Dakota County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.9% (2,410 total)
--- 9.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.6% (1,090 total)
--- 27.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,157,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.81

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#45. Lancaster County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.9% (37,310 total)
--- 9.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.2% (10,900 total)
--- 4.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $19,835,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.11

#44. Buffalo County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.0% (5,880 total)
--- 10.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.1% (1,750 total)
--- 3.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,285,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.27

#43. Boyd County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.1% (230 total)
--- 11.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.4% (60 total)
--- 5.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $132,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.36

#42. Webster County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.1% (430 total)
--- 11.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.8% (140 total)
--- 21.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $224,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

#41. Thomas County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.2% (80 total)
--- 11.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.4% (20 total)
--- 12.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $42,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.08

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#40. Harlan County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.3% (420 total)
--- 12.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.4% (140 total)
--- 12.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $235,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.27

#39. Antelope County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.3% (780 total)
--- 12.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.1% (260 total)
--- 17.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $417,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.13

#38. Red Willow County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.4% (1,330 total)
--- 13.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.0% (440 total)
--- 23.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $679,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.99

#37. Otoe County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.4% (1,970 total)
--- 13.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.7% (720 total)
--- 28.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,044,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.10

#36. Hayes County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.5% (110 total)
--- 14.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.5% (30 total)
--- 13.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $57,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

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#35. Nance County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.5% (440 total)
--- 14.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.4% (140 total)
--- 19.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $235,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.12

#34. Dawes County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.5% (1,100 total)
--- 14.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.0% (280 total)
--- 23.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $578,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07

#33. Madison County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.5% (4,390 total)
--- 14.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.0% (1,500 total)
--- 16.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,323,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.10

#32. Brown County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.6% (380 total)
--- 15.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.1% (130 total)
--- 44.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $208,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.20

#31. Nemaha County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.7% (880 total)
--- 16.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.1% (240 total)
--- 10.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $476,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.16

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#30. Lincoln County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.7% (4,460 total)
--- 16.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.4% (1,370 total)
--- 12.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,359,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.09

#29. Kimball County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.8% (470 total)
--- 17.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.5% (140 total)
--- 19.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $266,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.32

#28. Nuckolls County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.8% (550 total)
--- 17.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.6% (170 total)
--- 34.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $280,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.98

#27. Loup County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.9% (80 total)
--- 18.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.4% (20 total)
--- 19.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $44,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.20

#26. Cheyenne County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.9% (1,240 total)
--- 18.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.8% (380 total)
--- 15.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $648,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.06

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#25. Custer County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.9% (1,390 total)
--- 18.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.5% (470 total)
--- 26.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $720,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.03

#24. Box Butte County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.9% (1,410 total)
--- 18.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.5% (460 total)
--- 13.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $735,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

#23. Adams County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.0% (4,100 total)
--- 19.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.4% (1,310 total)
--- 19.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,114,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02

#22. Dodge County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.0% (4,750 total)
--- 19.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.6% (1,550 total)
--- 20.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,187,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.69

#21. Frontier County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.1% (350 total)
--- 20.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.4% (100 total)
--- 26.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $182,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.04

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#20. Keith County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.1% (1,050 total)
--- 20.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.0% (290 total)
--- 23.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $563,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.13

#19. Scotts Bluff County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.1% (4,710 total)
--- 20.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.7% (1,590 total)
--- 21.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,423,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.01

#18. Furnas County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.3% (630 total)
--- 22.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.1% (190 total)
--- 24.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $323,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.00

#17. Burt County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.3% (870 total)
--- 22.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.3% (280 total)
--- 32.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $456,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07

#16. Gage County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.3% (2,880 total)
--- 22.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.5% (850 total)
--- 19.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,507,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.06

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#15. Merrick County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.4% (1,040 total)
--- 22.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.3% (320 total)
--- 25.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $525,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.96

#14. Richardson County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.5% (1,070 total)
--- 23.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.2% (330 total)
--- 31.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $570,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.11

#13. Sherman County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.6% (410 total)
--- 24.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.4% (120 total)
--- 32.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $211,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02

#12. Jefferson County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.6% (970 total)
--- 24.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.0% (270 total)
--- 16.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $489,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.95

#11. Wheeler County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.7% (110 total)
--- 25.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.5% (40 total)
--- 54.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $61,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.25

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#10. Grant County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.9% (100 total)
--- 27.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.8% (30 total)
--- 35.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $53,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.10

#9. Hitchcock County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.2% (400 total)
--- 30.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.7% (130 total)
--- 34.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $204,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.98

#8. Franklin County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.3% (430 total)
--- 31.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.1% (120 total)
--- 44.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $235,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.20

#7. McPherson County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.4% (60 total)
--- 32.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 28.2% (20 total)
--- 93.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $32,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.13

#6. Pawnee County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.4% (380 total)
--- 32.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.3% (140 total)
--- 73.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $198,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.04

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#5. Blaine County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.5% (70 total)
--- 33.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.2% (30 total)
--- 65.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $37,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

#4. Arthur County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.0% (60 total)
--- 37.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.7% (20 total)
--- 41.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $32,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.14

#3. Sheridan County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.4% (800 total)
--- 41.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.5% (280 total)
--- 67.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $431,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.15

#2. Hooker County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.0% (110 total)
--- 46.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.8% (30 total)
--- 56.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $59,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.12

#1. Thurston County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.8% (1,350 total)
--- 72.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.1% (650 total)
--- 71.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $694,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.01

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