Counties with the highest rate of food insecurity in Ohio
Every county in the United States is home to people experiencing food insecurity, defined by the nonprofit Feeding America as "a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life."
The USDA estimates that 89.5% of U.S. households were food secure throughout 2019—that's 116.0 million people. The COVID-19 pandemic put further strain on households already experiencing food hardship, with Feeding America estimating that 42 million people, or 1 in 8 Americans, may experience food insecurity in 2021. This is a slight improvement from 2020 numbers but still represents an enormous burden for millions of children and adults.
Stacker compiled a list of counties in Ohio with the highest rate of food insecurity using data from Feeding America. Counties are ranked by highest percent of population with food insecurity as of 2019.
#50. Hamilton County
- Food insecurity rate: 12.8% (103,930 total)
--- 17.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.4% (34,640 total)
--- 26.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $56,315,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.17
#49. Franklin County
- Food insecurity rate: 12.8% (164,950 total)
--- 17.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.5% (52,860 total)
--- 19.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $89,471,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.17
#48. Pickaway County
- Food insecurity rate: 12.9% (7,430 total)
--- 18.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.4% (2,050 total)
--- 12.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,481,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.74
#47. Seneca County
- Food insecurity rate: 13.0% (7,190 total)
--- 19.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.9% (2,060 total)
--- 15.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,311,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.69
#46. Erie County
- Food insecurity rate: 13.0% (9,700 total)
--- 19.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.0% (2,760 total)
--- 23.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,863,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.93
#45. Knox County
- Food insecurity rate: 13.2% (8,100 total)
--- 21.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.0% (2,380 total)
--- 16.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,931,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.84
#44. Carroll County
- Food insecurity rate: 13.3% (3,640 total)
--- 22.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.1% (970 total)
--- 17.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,230,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.58
#43. Allen County
- Food insecurity rate: 13.3% (13,720 total)
--- 22.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.7% (4,470 total)
--- 28.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,412,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.73
#42. Tuscarawas County
- Food insecurity rate: 13.4% (12,380 total)
--- 22.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.1% (3,600 total)
--- 17.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,298,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.98
#41. Stark County
- Food insecurity rate: 13.4% (49,800 total)
--- 22.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.2% (14,670 total)
--- 24.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $25,580,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.00
#40. Ashland County
- Food insecurity rate: 13.6% (7,260 total)
--- 24.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.9% (2,180 total)
--- 22.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,495,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.82
#39. Belmont County
- Food insecurity rate: 13.9% (9,480 total)
--- 27.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.9% (2,310 total)
--- 22.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,585,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.83
#38. Cuyahoga County
- Food insecurity rate: 13.9% (173,920 total)
--- 27.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.7% (54,000 total)
--- 41.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $98,051,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.30
#37. Hardin County
- Food insecurity rate: 14.0% (4,400 total)
--- 28.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.6% (1,210 total)
--- 13.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,178,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.90
#36. Huron County
- Food insecurity rate: 14.0% (8,150 total)
--- 28.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.1% (2,570 total)
--- 24.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,782,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.71
#35. Richland County
- Food insecurity rate: 14.0% (16,900 total)
--- 28.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.4% (4,830 total)
--- 26.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $8,210,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.84
#34. Montgomery County
- Food insecurity rate: 14.3% (75,930 total)
--- 31.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.6% (24,260 total)
--- 41.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $39,619,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05
#33. Columbiana County
- Food insecurity rate: 14.5% (14,930 total)
--- 33.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.3% (4,080 total)
--- 32.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $7,318,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.87
#32. Clark County
- Food insecurity rate: 14.5% (19,570 total)
--- 33.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.4% (5,890 total)
--- 32.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $9,602,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.87
#31. Hocking County
- Food insecurity rate: 14.6% (4,140 total)
--- 33.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.2% (1,200 total)
--- 31.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,059,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.91
#30. Coshocton County
- Food insecurity rate: 14.8% (5,430 total)
--- 35.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.2% (1,740 total)
--- 38.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,451,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.64
#29. Mahoning County
- Food insecurity rate: 14.9% (34,360 total)
--- 36.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.3% (10,350 total)
--- 52.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $18,577,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.16
#28. Muskingum County
- Food insecurity rate: 15.0% (12,940 total)
--- 37.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.3% (4,000 total)
--- 39.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,105,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.76
#27. Crawford County
- Food insecurity rate: 15.1% (6,320 total)
--- 38.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.2% (1,840 total)
--- 38.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,136,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.90
#26. Brown County
- Food insecurity rate: 15.1% (6,600 total)
--- 38.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.3% (1,930 total)
--- 32.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,411,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02
#25. Marion County
- Food insecurity rate: 15.1% (9,830 total)
--- 38.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.9% (2,740 total)
--- 36.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,666,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.78
#24. Lucas County
- Food insecurity rate: 15.1% (65,150 total)
--- 38.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.2% (21,100 total)
--- 45.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $32,855,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.95
#23. Harrison County
- Food insecurity rate: 15.4% (2,340 total)
--- 41.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.0% (670 total)
--- 43.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,163,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.91
#22. Clinton County
- Food insecurity rate: 15.4% (6,450 total)
--- 41.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.1% (1,970 total)
--- 37.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,054,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.77
#21. Washington County
- Food insecurity rate: 15.5% (9,390 total)
--- 42.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.5% (2,440 total)
--- 40.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,665,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.91
#20. Trumbull County
- Food insecurity rate: 15.6% (31,240 total)
--- 43.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.8% (9,430 total)
--- 56.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $15,348,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.87
#19. Fayette County
- Food insecurity rate: 15.7% (4,490 total)
--- 44.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.1% (1,360 total)
--- 37.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,065,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.69
#18. Noble County
- Food insecurity rate: 15.8% (2,280 total)
--- 45.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.3% (650 total)
--- 66.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,089,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.79
#17. Ross County
- Food insecurity rate: 16.1% (12,400 total)
--- 47.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.2% (3,340 total)
--- 38.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,880,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.77
#16. Ashtabula County
- Food insecurity rate: 16.3% (15,940 total)
--- 49.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.8% (4,730 total)
--- 49.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $7,872,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.89
#15. Jefferson County
- Food insecurity rate: 16.4% (10,910 total)
--- 50.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.8% (2,930 total)
--- 56.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,335,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.86
#14. Perry County
- Food insecurity rate: 16.7% (6,000 total)
--- 53.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.9% (1,860 total)
--- 50.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,990,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.91
#13. Guernsey County
- Food insecurity rate: 17.0% (6,660 total)
--- 56.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.4% (2,120 total)
--- 67.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,062,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.69
#12. Highland County
- Food insecurity rate: 17.1% (7,360 total)
--- 56.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.4% (2,310 total)
--- 53.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,548,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.82
#11. Vinton County
- Food insecurity rate: 17.5% (2,290 total)
--- 60.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.4% (720 total)
--- 67.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,103,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.82
#10. Morgan County
- Food insecurity rate: 17.6% (2,580 total)
--- 61.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.2% (780 total)
--- 72.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,246,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.83
#9. Gallia County
- Food insecurity rate: 17.6% (5,300 total)
--- 61.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.3% (1,610 total)
--- 59.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,374,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.62
#8. Lawrence County
- Food insecurity rate: 17.6% (10,600 total)
--- 61.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.0% (3,040 total)
--- 57.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,017,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.77
#7. Jackson County
- Food insecurity rate: 17.8% (5,780 total)
--- 63.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.9% (1,870 total)
--- 63.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,845,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.88
#6. Monroe County
- Food insecurity rate: 18.1% (2,530 total)
--- 66.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.9% (730 total)
--- 70.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,249,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.89
#5. Meigs County
- Food insecurity rate: 18.5% (4,270 total)
--- 69.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.9% (1,190 total)
--- 63.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,161,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.96
#4. Athens County
- Food insecurity rate: 18.9% (12,460 total)
--- 73.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.4% (2,170 total)
--- 53.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,271,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.94
#3. Adams County
- Food insecurity rate: 19.0% (5,280 total)
--- 74.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.5% (1,710 total)
--- 74.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,389,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.65
#2. Pike County
- Food insecurity rate: 19.1% (5,350 total)
--- 75.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.5% (1,590 total)
--- 67.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,555,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.79
#1. Scioto County
- Food insecurity rate: 19.7% (15,010 total)
--- 80.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.0% (4,310 total)
--- 78.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $7,014,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.73
