Counties with the highest rate of food insecure children in Wisconsin

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

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 Wisconsin 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. Wisconsin has a child food insecurity rate of 12.6%, which ranks #36 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 Wisconsin.

#50. Walworth County

- Child food insecurity rate: 12.6% (2,690 total)
--- 3.5% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 7.3% (7,540 total)
--- 4.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,967,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.27

#49. Lincoln County

- Child food insecurity rate: 12.9% (660 total)
--- 3.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.2% (2,280 total)
--- 3.6% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,144,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.12

#48. Trempealeau County

- Child food insecurity rate: 12.9% (950 total)
--- 3.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 7.6% (2,230 total)
--- 4.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,148,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.20

#47. Fond du Lac County

- Child food insecurity rate: 13.1% (2,870 total)
--- 3.0% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 7.7% (7,870 total)
--- 4.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,234,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.34

#46. Grant County

- Child food insecurity rate: 13.1% (1,400 total)
--- 3.0% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.8% (4,540 total)
--- 3.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,244,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07

#45. Oconto County

- Child food insecurity rate: 13.1% (1,000 total)
--- 3.0% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.0% (3,030 total)
--- 3.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,526,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.13

#44. Winnebago County

- Child food insecurity rate: 13.2% (4,620 total)
--- 2.9% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.4% (14,320 total)
--- 3.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $7,830,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.40

#43. Brown County

- Child food insecurity rate: 13.3% (8,320 total)
--- 2.8% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.1% (21,220 total)
--- 3.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $11,167,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.27

#42. Clark County

- Child food insecurity rate: 13.4% (1,380 total)
--- 2.7% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 7.9% (2,720 total)
--- 3.9% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,433,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.27

#41. Chippewa County

- Child food insecurity rate: 13.6% (1,940 total)
--- 2.5% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.4% (5,400 total)
--- 3.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,671,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07

#40. Manitowoc County

- Child food insecurity rate: 13.7% (2,230 total)
--- 2.4% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.1% (6,380 total)
--- 3.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,309,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.22

#39. Oneida County

- Child food insecurity rate: 13.7% (850 total)
--- 2.4% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.4% (2,970 total)
--- 3.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,460,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

#38. Pepin County

- Child food insecurity rate: 14.0% (210 total)
--- 2.1% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.4% (610 total)
--- 3.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $315,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.21

#37. Monroe County

- Child food insecurity rate: 14.1% (1,640 total)
--- 2.0% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.5% (3,930 total)
--- 3.3% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,916,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.03

#36. Waupaca County

- Child food insecurity rate: 14.1% (1,470 total)
--- 2.0% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.3% (4,250 total)
--- 3.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,216,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.24

#35. Buffalo County

- Child food insecurity rate: 14.2% (380 total)
--- 1.9% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.8% (1,160 total)
--- 3.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $597,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.20

#34. Florence County

- Child food insecurity rate: 14.2% (90 total)
--- 1.9% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.0% (430 total)
--- 1.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $226,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.27

#33. Vernon County

- Child food insecurity rate: 14.2% (1,140 total)
--- 1.9% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.4% (2,880 total)
--- 2.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,492,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.22

#32. Sauk County

- Child food insecurity rate: 14.4% (2,110 total)
--- 1.7% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.0% (5,780 total)
--- 2.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,966,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.19

#31. Polk County

- Child food insecurity rate: 14.6% (1,330 total)
--- 1.5% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.8% (3,820 total)
--- 3.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,053,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.34

#30. Door County

- Child food insecurity rate: 14.8% (670 total)
--- 1.3% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.0% (2,220 total)
--- 3.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,297,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.63

#29. Shawano County

- Child food insecurity rate: 14.9% (1,310 total)
--- 1.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.9% (3,630 total)
--- 2.9% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,701,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.91

#28. Richland County

- Child food insecurity rate: 15.0% (560 total)
--- 1.1% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.4% (1,640 total)
--- 2.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $830,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.14

#27. Wood County

- Child food insecurity rate: 15.2% (2,400 total)
--- 0.9% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.4% (6,860 total)
--- 2.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,617,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.27

#26. Waushara County

- Child food insecurity rate: 15.4% (680 total)
--- 0.7% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.6% (2,100 total)
--- 3.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,075,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.18

#25. Barron County

- Child food insecurity rate: 15.6% (1,530 total)
--- 0.5% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.2% (4,160 total)
--- 2.6% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,145,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.20

#24. Marquette County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.0% (480 total)
--- 0.1% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.7% (1,490 total)
--- 2.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $763,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.18

#23. Green Lake County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.2% (680 total)
--- 0.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.3% (1,750 total)
--- 2.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $896,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.18

#22. Rusk County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.7% (480 total)
--- 0.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.9% (1,390 total)
--- 1.9% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $688,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07

#21. Washburn County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.9% (500 total)
--- 0.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.2% (1,610 total)
--- 1.6% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $830,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.20

#20. Kenosha County

- Child food insecurity rate: 17.3% (6,680 total)
--- 1.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.1% (15,440 total)
--- 2.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $7,997,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.22

#19. Crawford County

- Child food insecurity rate: 17.4% (560 total)
--- 1.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.4% (1,670 total)
--- 1.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $825,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07

#18. Rock County

- Child food insecurity rate: 17.4% (6,550 total)
--- 1.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.7% (15,810 total)
--- 2.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $8,159,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.21

#17. Vilas County

- Child food insecurity rate: 17.4% (630 total)
--- 1.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.9% (2,160 total)
--- 1.9% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,237,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.56

#16. Douglas County

- Child food insecurity rate: 17.5% (1,500 total)
--- 1.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.3% (4,930 total)
--- 0.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,392,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.01

#15. Langlade County

- Child food insecurity rate: 17.6% (660 total)
--- 1.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.4% (1,990 total)
--- 1.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $999,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.12

#14. Jackson County

- Child food insecurity rate: 17.7% (790 total)
--- 1.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.8% (2,220 total)
--- 1.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,117,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.12

#13. Price County

- Child food insecurity rate: 17.7% (400 total)
--- 1.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.2% (1,360 total)
--- 1.6% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $654,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.99

#12. Marinette County

- Child food insecurity rate: 18.1% (1,380 total)
--- 2.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.7% (4,330 total)
--- 1.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,071,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.97

#11. Juneau County

- Child food insecurity rate: 18.6% (990 total)
--- 2.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.4% (3,030 total)
--- 0.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,781,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.65

#10. Racine County

- Child food insecurity rate: 19.3% (8,760 total)
--- 3.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.2% (17,950 total)
--- 2.6% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $9,394,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.25

#9. Bayfield County

- Child food insecurity rate: 19.9% (520 total)
--- 3.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.1% (1,670 total)
--- 0.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $810,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.01

#8. Sawyer County

- Child food insecurity rate: 20.2% (630 total)
--- 4.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.6% (1,910 total)
--- 0.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $985,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.20

#7. Ashland County

- Child food insecurity rate: 20.3% (690 total)
--- 4.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.7% (1,960 total)
--- 0.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $951,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.01

#6. Burnett County

- Child food insecurity rate: 20.3% (550 total)
--- 4.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.4% (1,760 total)
--- 0.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $865,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

#5. Adams County

- Child food insecurity rate: 21.5% (640 total)
--- 5.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.7% (2,370 total)
--- 0.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,195,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.13

#4. Iron County

- Child food insecurity rate: 22.6% (190 total)
--- 6.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.2% (750 total)
--- 1.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $429,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.56

#3. Forest County

- Child food insecurity rate: 22.9% (410 total)
--- 6.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.8% (1,250 total)
--- 2.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $614,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

#2. Milwaukee County

- Child food insecurity rate: 25.5% (57,980 total)
--- 9.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.8% (111,910 total)
--- 0.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $58,971,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.27

#1. Menominee County

- Child food insecurity rate: 34.4% (510 total)
--- 18.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 20.0% (920 total)
--- 8.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $431,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.91

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