Counties with the highest rate of food insecure children in New Hampshire

Written by:
September 13, 2022
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Counties with the highest rate of food insecure children in New Hampshire

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 New Hampshire 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. New Hampshire has a child food insecurity rate of 9.5%, which ranks #5 lowest 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 New Hampshire.

#10. Rockingham County

- Child food insecurity rate: 9.4% (5,620 total)
--- 6.7% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 6.8% (21,090 total)
--- 5.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $13,284,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.91

#9. Merrimack County

- Child food insecurity rate: 11.1% (3,200 total)
--- 5.0% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 7.9% (11,970 total)
--- 3.9% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $7,459,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.87

#8. Strafford County

- Child food insecurity rate: 11.3% (2,710 total)
--- 4.8% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.8% (11,430 total)
--- 3.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $7,013,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.81

#7. Hillsborough County

- Child food insecurity rate: 12.7% (10,830 total)
--- 3.4% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.5% (35,310 total)
--- 3.3% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $21,813,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.84

#6. Cheshire County

- Child food insecurity rate: 13.0% (1,760 total)
--- 3.1% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.2% (7,010 total)
--- 2.6% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,217,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.74

#5. Sullivan County

- Child food insecurity rate: 13.1% (1,060 total)
--- 3.0% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.5% (4,080 total)
--- 2.3% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,362,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.60

#4. Grafton County

- Child food insecurity rate: 13.2% (1,930 total)
--- 2.9% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.5% (8,570 total)
--- 2.3% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,372,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.89

#3. Belknap County

- Child food insecurity rate: 14.7% (1,660 total)
--- 1.4% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.4% (5,760 total)
--- 2.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,616,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.90

#2. Carroll County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.5% (1,240 total)
--- 0.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.8% (4,770 total)
--- 2.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,123,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.07

#1. Coos County

- Child food insecurity rate: 18.5% (950 total)
--- 2.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.2% (3,850 total)
--- 0.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,273,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.67

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