Counties with the highest rate of food insecure children in New Jersey
Written by:
September 13, 2022
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Counties with the highest rate of food insecure children in New Jersey
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 Jersey 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 Jersey has a child food insecurity rate of 9.0%, which ranks #3 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 Jersey.
#21. Hunterdon County
- Child food insecurity rate: 1.9% (450 total)
--- 14.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 5.5% (6,880 total)
--- 6.3% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,334,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.91
--- 14.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 5.5% (6,880 total)
--- 6.3% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,334,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.91
#20. Morris County
- Child food insecurity rate: 4.0% (4,160 total)
--- 12.1% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 6.4% (31,610 total)
--- 5.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $21,268,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.18
--- 12.1% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 6.4% (31,610 total)
--- 5.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $21,268,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.18
#19. Somerset County
- Child food insecurity rate: 4.6% (3,340 total)
--- 11.5% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 5.7% (18,880 total)
--- 6.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $12,352,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.06
--- 11.5% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 5.7% (18,880 total)
--- 6.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $12,352,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.06
#18. Monmouth County
- Child food insecurity rate: 7.0% (9,170 total)
--- 9.1% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 7.8% (48,120 total)
--- 4.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $31,587,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.08
--- 9.1% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 7.8% (48,120 total)
--- 4.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $31,587,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.08
#17. Sussex County
- Child food insecurity rate: 7.3% (2,040 total)
--- 8.8% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 7.6% (10,680 total)
--- 4.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $7,033,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.09
--- 8.8% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 7.6% (10,680 total)
--- 4.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $7,033,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.09
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#16. Bergen County
- Child food insecurity rate: 7.6% (14,940 total)
--- 8.5% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 7.9% (73,880 total)
--- 3.9% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $49,218,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.14
--- 8.5% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 7.9% (73,880 total)
--- 3.9% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $49,218,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.14
#15. Warren County
- Child food insecurity rate: 9.1% (1,890 total)
--- 7.0% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.9% (9,400 total)
--- 2.9% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,859,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.87
--- 7.0% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.9% (9,400 total)
--- 2.9% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,859,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.87
#14. Gloucester County
- Child food insecurity rate: 9.3% (5,910 total)
--- 6.8% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.2% (23,800 total)
--- 3.6% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $13,875,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.62
--- 6.8% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.2% (23,800 total)
--- 3.6% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $13,875,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.62
#13. Burlington County
- Child food insecurity rate: 9.7% (9,060 total)
--- 6.4% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 7.1% (31,810 total)
--- 4.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $19,166,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.74
--- 6.4% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 7.1% (31,810 total)
--- 4.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $19,166,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.74
#12. Middlesex County
- Child food insecurity rate: 10.2% (18,360 total)
--- 5.9% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.4% (68,900 total)
--- 3.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $39,711,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.58
--- 5.9% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.4% (68,900 total)
--- 3.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $39,711,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.58
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#11. Mercer County
- Child food insecurity rate: 11.9% (9,380 total)
--- 4.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.3% (30,490 total)
--- 3.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $19,029,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.88
--- 4.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.3% (30,490 total)
--- 3.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $19,029,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.88
#10. Ocean County
- Child food insecurity rate: 11.9% (17,260 total)
--- 4.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.8% (58,910 total)
--- 2.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $36,622,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.86
--- 4.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.8% (58,910 total)
--- 2.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $36,622,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.86
#9. Union County
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.4% (17,500 total)
--- 2.7% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.3% (46,060 total)
--- 3.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $28,665,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.87
--- 2.7% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.3% (46,060 total)
--- 3.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $28,665,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.87
#8. Camden County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.6% (19,100 total)
--- 0.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.9% (54,990 total)
--- 0.9% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $33,673,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.80
--- 0.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.9% (54,990 total)
--- 0.9% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $33,673,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.80
#7. Cape May County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.1% (2,780 total)
--- 1.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.5% (11,560 total)
--- 0.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $7,719,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.15
--- 1.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.5% (11,560 total)
--- 0.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $7,719,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.15
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#6. Salem County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.6% (2,380 total)
--- 1.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.7% (7,370 total)
--- 0.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,509,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.80
--- 1.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.7% (7,370 total)
--- 0.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,509,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.80
#5. Hudson County
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.2% (24,940 total)
--- 2.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.2% (82,200 total)
--- 0.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $46,669,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.53
--- 2.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.2% (82,200 total)
--- 0.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $46,669,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.53
#4. Passaic County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.0% (22,770 total)
--- 2.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.0% (60,520 total)
--- 0.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $37,539,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.85
--- 2.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.0% (60,520 total)
--- 0.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $37,539,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.85
#3. Cumberland County
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.5% (7,380 total)
--- 4.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.1% (18,190 total)
--- 0.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $10,039,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.43
--- 4.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.1% (18,190 total)
--- 0.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $10,039,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.43
#2. Essex County
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.1% (41,980 total)
--- 6.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.3% (98,170 total)
--- 0.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $67,712,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.28
--- 6.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.3% (98,170 total)
--- 0.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $67,712,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.28
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#1. Atlantic County
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.3% (13,680 total)
--- 8.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.1% (39,960 total)
--- 3.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $23,510,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.65
--- 8.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.1% (39,960 total)
--- 3.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $23,510,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.65
