Counties with the highest rate of food insecure children in Pennsylvania

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

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 Pennsylvania 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. Pennsylvania has a child food insecurity rate of 13.1%, which ranks #32 highest 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 Pennsylvania.

#50. Wyoming County

- Child food insecurity rate: 13.9% (740 total)
--- 2.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.3% (2,800 total)
--- 1.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,401,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.11

#49. Columbia County

- Child food insecurity rate: 14.2% (1,640 total)
--- 1.9% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.3% (7,400 total)
--- 0.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,982,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.34

#48. Franklin County

- Child food insecurity rate: 14.2% (4,910 total)
--- 1.9% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.7% (15,010 total)
--- 2.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $8,225,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.40

#47. Bradford County

- Child food insecurity rate: 14.4% (1,920 total)
--- 1.7% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.1% (6,770 total)
--- 0.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,499,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.21

#46. Lebanon County

- Child food insecurity rate: 14.4% (4,600 total)
--- 1.7% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.8% (13,750 total)
--- 2.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $7,498,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.39

#45. Bedford County

- Child food insecurity rate: 14.8% (1,390 total)
--- 1.3% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.3% (5,460 total)
--- 0.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,163,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.60

#44. Susquehanna County

- Child food insecurity rate: 14.9% (1,130 total)
--- 1.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.7% (4,360 total)
--- 1.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,639,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.76

#43. Clarion County

- Child food insecurity rate: 15.3% (1,120 total)
--- 0.8% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.4% (4,780 total)
--- 0.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,294,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.98

#42. Warren County

- Child food insecurity rate: 15.5% (1,190 total)
--- 0.6% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.3% (4,470 total)
--- 0.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,277,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.16

#41. Allegheny County

- Child food insecurity rate: 15.7% (35,880 total)
--- 0.4% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.8% (131,440 total)
--- 1.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $77,691,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.67

#40. Delaware County

- Child food insecurity rate: 15.9% (19,820 total)
--- 0.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.1% (51,730 total)
--- 2.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $33,231,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.99

#39. Somerset County

- Child food insecurity rate: 15.9% (2,130 total)
--- 0.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.3% (8,330 total)
--- 0.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,306,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.21

#38. Sullivan County

- Child food insecurity rate: 15.9% (100 total)
--- 0.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.9% (660 total)
--- 0.9% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $341,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.21

#37. Wayne County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.1% (1,370 total)
--- 0.0% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.3% (5,800 total)
--- 0.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,243,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.47

#36. Armstrong County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.2% (2,030 total)
--- 0.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.1% (7,920 total)
--- 0.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,857,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02

#35. Clinton County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.2% (1,270 total)
--- 0.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.0% (5,000 total)
--- 1.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,568,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.19

#34. Indiana County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.2% (2,460 total)
--- 0.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.6% (10,650 total)
--- 0.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,678,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.31

#33. Tioga County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.4% (1,330 total)
--- 0.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.3% (5,010 total)
--- 0.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,628,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.26

#32. Berks County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.6% (15,530 total)
--- 0.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.2% (42,640 total)
--- 1.6% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $23,383,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.41

#31. Blair County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.7% (4,160 total)
--- 0.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.6% (15,390 total)
--- 0.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $8,212,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.31

#30. Beaver County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.8% (5,360 total)
--- 0.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.3% (18,690 total)
--- 0.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $9,980,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.32

#29. Huntingdon County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.8% (1,370 total)
--- 0.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.6% (5,230 total)
--- 0.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,813,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.34

#28. Mifflin County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.8% (1,740 total)
--- 0.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.1% (5,580 total)
--- 0.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,792,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.11

#27. Crawford County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.9% (2,990 total)
--- 0.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.4% (10,510 total)
--- 0.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,395,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.19

#26. Jefferson County

- Child food insecurity rate: 17.1% (1,590 total)
--- 1.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.3% (5,360 total)
--- 0.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,656,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.08

#25. Potter County

- Child food insecurity rate: 17.1% (580 total)
--- 1.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.1% (2,020 total)
--- 0.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,205,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.70

#24. Pike County

- Child food insecurity rate: 17.3% (1,720 total)
--- 1.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.3% (5,710 total)
--- 1.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,238,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.52

#23. Greene County

- Child food insecurity rate: 17.4% (1,230 total)
--- 1.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.7% (4,650 total)
--- 0.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,371,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.17

#22. Schuylkill County

- Child food insecurity rate: 17.4% (4,870 total)
--- 1.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.3% (17,520 total)
--- 0.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $9,350,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.31

#21. Elk County

- Child food insecurity rate: 17.8% (1,020 total)
--- 1.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.4% (3,740 total)
--- 0.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,906,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.17

#20. Fulton County

- Child food insecurity rate: 17.8% (510 total)
--- 1.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.5% (1,810 total)
--- 0.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $992,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.40

#19. Lehigh County

- Child food insecurity rate: 17.8% (14,860 total)
--- 1.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.6% (38,970 total)
--- 1.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $22,401,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.57

#18. Northumberland County

- Child food insecurity rate: 17.8% (3,190 total)
--- 1.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.4% (11,340 total)
--- 0.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,795,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.17

#17. Venango County

- Child food insecurity rate: 17.8% (1,770 total)
--- 1.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.0% (6,660 total)
--- 1.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,342,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.12

#16. Carbon County

- Child food insecurity rate: 18.0% (2,210 total)
--- 1.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.0% (7,670 total)
--- 0.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,015,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.25

#15. Lycoming County

- Child food insecurity rate: 18.0% (4,190 total)
--- 1.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.1% (13,830 total)
--- 0.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $7,547,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.39

#14. Lackawanna County

- Child food insecurity rate: 18.4% (7,870 total)
--- 2.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.7% (26,690 total)
--- 0.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $15,000,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.49

#13. Lawrence County

- Child food insecurity rate: 18.5% (3,180 total)
--- 2.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.7% (10,980 total)
--- 0.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,989,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.39

#12. Dauphin County

- Child food insecurity rate: 18.8% (11,730 total)
--- 2.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.1% (28,100 total)
--- 1.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $15,647,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.46

#11. Clearfield County

- Child food insecurity rate: 18.9% (2,730 total)
--- 2.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.9% (10,260 total)
--- 1.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,318,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.22

#10. Monroe County

- Child food insecurity rate: 18.9% (6,270 total)
--- 2.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.4% (17,580 total)
--- 1.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $9,922,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.51

#9. Cambria County

- Child food insecurity rate: 19.0% (4,810 total)
--- 2.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.2% (17,350 total)
--- 1.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $9,120,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.26

#8. Erie County

- Child food insecurity rate: 19.4% (11,270 total)
--- 3.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.9% (35,210 total)
--- 1.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $18,981,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.35

#7. McKean County

- Child food insecurity rate: 20.1% (1,640 total)
--- 4.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.2% (5,840 total)
--- 2.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,985,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.17

#6. Mercer County

- Child food insecurity rate: 20.7% (4,440 total)
--- 4.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.3% (14,740 total)
--- 1.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $7,495,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.16

#5. Luzerne County

- Child food insecurity rate: 21.5% (13,530 total)
--- 5.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.9% (41,060 total)
--- 1.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $22,592,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.42

#4. Fayette County

- Child food insecurity rate: 21.9% (5,510 total)
--- 5.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.3% (19,880 total)
--- 3.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $10,065,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.14

#3. Forest County

- Child food insecurity rate: 23.5% (90 total)
--- 7.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.8% (1,070 total)
--- 3.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $514,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.98

#2. Cameron County

- Child food insecurity rate: 25.1% (180 total)
--- 9.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.1% (770 total)
--- 5.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $392,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.17

#1. Philadelphia County

- Child food insecurity rate: 30.9% (106,380 total)
--- 14.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.8% (249,890 total)
--- 4.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $152,010,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.78

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