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