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 Missouri 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. Missouri has a child food insecurity rate of 14.1%, which ranks #25 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 Missouri.
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#50. St. Clair County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.5% (310 total)
--- 0.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.2% (1,430 total)
--- 3.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $642,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.79
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#49. Pettis County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.6% (1,740 total)
--- 0.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.0% (5,920 total)
--- 2.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,724,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.86
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#48. Barton County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.7% (460 total)
--- 0.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.4% (1,920 total)
--- 4.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $892,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.88
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#47. Madison County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.7% (470 total)
--- 0.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.3% (1,870 total)
--- 3.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $914,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.04
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#45. Douglas County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.8% (490 total)
--- 0.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.1% (2,010 total)
--- 3.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $975,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.01
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#44. Cedar County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.0% (580 total)
--- 0.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.4% (2,180 total)
--- 3.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,048,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.99
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#43. Jasper County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.2% (5,160 total)
--- 1.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.4% (17,370 total)
--- 2.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $8,300,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.97
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#42. Worth County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.2% (70 total)
--- 1.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.8% (260 total)
--- 1.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $135,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.23
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#41. Linn County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.4% (490 total)
--- 1.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.2% (1,580 total)
--- 1.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $751,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.95
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#40. Pulaski County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.5% (2,000 total)
--- 1.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.8% (7,220 total)
--- 2.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,778,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.25
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#39. Harrison County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.6% (360 total)
--- 1.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.9% (1,340 total)
--- 4.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $690,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.20
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#38. Randolph County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.6% (950 total)
--- 1.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.8% (3,420 total)
--- 2.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,537,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.79
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#37. Camden County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.7% (1,430 total)
--- 1.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.6% (6,250 total)
--- 1.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,336,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.32
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#36. Morgan County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.7% (820 total)
--- 1.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.5% (3,160 total)
--- 3.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,474,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.90
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#35. Henry County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.8% (860 total)
--- 1.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.4% (3,370 total)
--- 3.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,526,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.81
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#34. Laclede County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.8% (1,570 total)
--- 1.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.3% (5,440 total)
--- 3.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,488,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.84
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#33. St. Francois County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.9% (2,510 total)
--- 1.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.6% (10,420 total)
--- 3.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,151,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07
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#32. McDonald County
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.0% (1,060 total)
--- 1.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.6% (3,110 total)
--- 1.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,585,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.16
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#31. Audrain County
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.2% (1,060 total)
--- 2.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.8% (3,490 total)
--- 2.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,623,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.89
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#30. Dade County
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.3% (290 total)
--- 2.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.9% (1,050 total)
--- 2.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $507,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.00
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#29. Dent County
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.4% (640 total)
--- 2.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.4% (2,390 total)
--- 3.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,107,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.88
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#28. Crawford County
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.7% (1,020 total)
--- 2.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.0% (3,830 total)
--- 4.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,987,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.22
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#27. Lawrence County
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.7% (1,810 total)
--- 2.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.5% (5,550 total)
--- 2.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,675,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.99
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#26. Jackson County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.0% (31,350 total)
--- 2.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.3% (86,300 total)
--- 0.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $45,875,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.30
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#25. Barry County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.1% (1,540 total)
--- 3.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.5% (5,170 total)
--- 2.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,467,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.96
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#24. Dallas County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.1% (760 total)
--- 3.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.9% (2,670 total)
--- 4.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,249,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.90
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#23. Stone County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.1% (1,010 total)
--- 3.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.4% (4,590 total)
--- 2.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,348,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.18
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#22. Scott County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.4% (1,790 total)
--- 3.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.8% (5,710 total)
--- 3.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,761,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.00
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#21. Stoddard County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.5% (1,250 total)
--- 3.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.2% (4,740 total)
--- 4.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,250,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.95
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#20. Carter County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.8% (290 total)
--- 3.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.8% (1,020 total)
--- 5.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $458,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.79
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#19. Reynolds County
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.8% (240 total)
--- 4.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.2% (1,020 total)
--- 4.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $496,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02
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#18. Texas County
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.8% (1,150 total)
--- 4.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.2% (4,400 total)
--- 5.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,094,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.96
34 / 50
#17. Washington County
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.1% (1,220 total)
--- 5.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.6% (4,380 total)
--- 5.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,995,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.83
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#16. Howell County
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.4% (2,060 total)
--- 5.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.3% (7,360 total)
--- 6.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,372,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.85
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#15. Iron County
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.6% (460 total)
--- 5.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.3% (1,860 total)
--- 6.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $910,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.04
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#14. Shannon County
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.6% (380 total)
--- 5.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 19.9% (1,630 total)
--- 8.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $747,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.85
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#13. Wright County
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.7% (1,020 total)
--- 5.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.9% (3,090 total)
--- 5.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,470,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.96
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#12. Ripley County
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.9% (670 total)
--- 5.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 19.4% (2,610 total)
--- 7.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,165,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.77
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#11. Butler County
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.0% (2,210 total)
--- 5.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.1% (7,720 total)
--- 6.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,446,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.77
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#10. Benton County
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.1% (740 total)
--- 6.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.7% (3,220 total)
--- 4.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,466,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.83
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#9. Ozark County
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.3% (410 total)
--- 7.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.8% (1,720 total)
--- 7.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $909,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.28
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#8. New Madrid County
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.6% (950 total)
--- 7.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.3% (2,810 total)
--- 4.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,372,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.03
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#7. Taney County
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.0% (2,820 total)
--- 7.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.8% (9,910 total)
--- 6.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,122,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.21
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#6. Dunklin County
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.1% (1,830 total)
--- 8.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.0% (5,340 total)
--- 6.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,391,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.78
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#5. Oregon County
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.3% (580 total)
--- 8.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 19.7% (2,080 total)
--- 7.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $958,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.86
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#4. Wayne County
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.8% (650 total)
--- 8.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 20.2% (2,630 total)
--- 8.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,180,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.79
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#3. Mississippi County
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.0% (700 total)
--- 8.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.6% (2,340 total)
--- 5.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,140,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.03
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#2. St. Louis
- Child food insecurity rate: 29.4% (17,100 total)
--- 13.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.8% (48,260 total)
--- 4.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $30,219,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.89
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#1. Pemiscot County
