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 Virginia 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. Virginia has a child food insecurity rate of 9.7%, which ranks #6 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 Virginia.
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#50. King and Queen County
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.9% (210 total)
--- 0.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 7.5% (530 total)
--- 4.3% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $307,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.60
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#49. Colonial Heights
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.1% (630 total)
--- 0.0% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.3% (1,780 total)
--- 1.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $868,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.03
3 / 50
#48. Pulaski County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.3% (990 total)
--- 0.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.4% (4,590 total)
--- 1.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,245,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.04
4 / 50
#47. Westmoreland County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.4% (550 total)
--- 0.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.7% (1,920 total)
--- 1.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,053,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.41
5 / 50
#46. Grayson County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.7% (430 total)
--- 0.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.5% (1,960 total)
--- 0.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $989,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.13
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6 / 50
#45. Winchester
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.8% (1,070 total)
--- 0.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.6% (3,510 total)
--- 0.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,969,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.48
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#44. Nottoway County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.1% (500 total)
--- 1.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.5% (1,760 total)
--- 0.3% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $865,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05
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#43. Charles City County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.3% (180 total)
--- 1.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.1% (640 total)
--- 2.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $371,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.60
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#42. Pittsylvania County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.3% (1,980 total)
--- 1.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.7% (7,100 total)
--- 0.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,822,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.34
10 / 50
#41. Covington
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.4% (220 total)
--- 1.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.9% (610 total)
--- 0.9% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $341,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.47
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11 / 50
#40. Williamsburg
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.5% (290 total)
--- 1.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.0% (1,660 total)
--- 0.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,076,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.03
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#39. Waynesboro
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.7% (900 total)
--- 1.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.8% (2,860 total)
--- 1.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,465,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.18
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#38. Halifax County
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.1% (1,270 total)
--- 2.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.7% (4,000 total)
--- 0.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,938,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.01
14 / 50
#37. Tazewell County
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.3% (1,460 total)
--- 2.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.7% (6,050 total)
--- 2.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,857,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.93
15 / 50
#36. Smyth County
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.8% (1,100 total)
--- 2.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.7% (4,800 total)
--- 3.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,435,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.15
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16 / 50
#35. Lunenburg County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.0% (460 total)
--- 2.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.1% (1,360 total)
--- 0.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $673,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07
17 / 50
#34. Northumberland County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.2% (340 total)
--- 3.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.0% (1,090 total)
--- 2.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $634,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.61
18 / 50
#33. Galax
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.2% (320 total)
--- 3.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.4% (1,050 total)
--- 4.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $564,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.34
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#32. Buckingham County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.9% (630 total)
--- 3.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.7% (2,000 total)
--- 0.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $983,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05
20 / 50
#31. Lynchburg
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.9% (3,060 total)
--- 3.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.3% (9,970 total)
--- 0.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,123,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.19
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#30. Prince Edward County
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.5% (720 total)
--- 4.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.4% (3,060 total)
--- 1.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,504,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05
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#29. Henry County
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.8% (2,070 total)
--- 4.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.9% (6,610 total)
--- 1.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,153,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.96
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#28. Wise County
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.8% (1,510 total)
--- 4.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.3% (6,570 total)
--- 5.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,349,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.17
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#27. Roanoke
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.7% (4,770 total)
--- 5.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.2% (13,120 total)
--- 1.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,320,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.99
25 / 50
#26. Essex County
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.8% (440 total)
--- 5.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.0% (1,210 total)
--- 0.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $682,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.50
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26 / 50
#25. Surry County
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.8% (250 total)
--- 5.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.5% (680 total)
--- 1.3% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $441,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.03
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#24. Dickenson County
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.0% (620 total)
--- 5.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 19.0% (2,770 total)
--- 7.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,412,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.17
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#23. Sussex County
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.2% (380 total)
--- 6.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.6% (1,070 total)
--- 2.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $592,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.44
29 / 50
#22. Accomack County
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.5% (1,520 total)
--- 6.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.8% (3,840 total)
--- 0.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,919,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.10
30 / 50
#21. Mecklenburg County
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#20. Northampton County
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.9% (530 total)
--- 6.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.6% (1,490 total)
--- 0.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $744,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.10
32 / 50
#19. Newport News
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.3% (9,690 total)
--- 7.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.4% (22,210 total)
--- 0.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $11,600,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.24
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#18. Lancaster County
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.4% (390 total)
--- 7.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.1% (1,180 total)
--- 0.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $599,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.15
34 / 50
#17. Greensville County
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.5% (410 total)
--- 7.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.3% (1,060 total)
--- 2.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $515,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02
35 / 50
#16. Lee County
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.7% (1,030 total)
--- 7.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 19.1% (4,530 total)
--- 7.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,133,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.93
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#15. Charlotte County
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.8% (630 total)
--- 7.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.1% (1,800 total)
--- 3.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $884,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05
37 / 50
#14. Bristol
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.1% (860 total)
--- 8.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.5% (2,980 total)
--- 5.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,595,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.32
38 / 50
#13. Hampton
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.1% (6,890 total)
--- 8.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.3% (15,320 total)
--- 0.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $8,096,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.28
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#12. Norfolk
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.6% (11,790 total)
--- 8.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.2% (32,260 total)
--- 1.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $17,563,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.38
40 / 50
#11. Norton
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.2% (160 total)
--- 9.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 21.0% (840 total)
--- 9.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $428,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.17
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#10. Buchanan County
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.2% (950 total)
--- 10.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 19.6% (4,180 total)
--- 7.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,990,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.96
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#9. Portsmouth
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.4% (5,850 total)
--- 10.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.3% (11,690 total)
--- 0.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,157,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.27
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#8. Richmond
- Child food insecurity rate: 27.3% (10,890 total)
--- 11.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.0% (32,000 total)
--- 2.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $19,697,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.82
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#7. Brunswick County
- Child food insecurity rate: 27.7% (720 total)
--- 11.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.1% (1,980 total)
--- 0.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $980,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07
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#6. Franklin
- Child food insecurity rate: 28.9% (580 total)
--- 12.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.8% (1,030 total)
--- 1.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $555,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.35
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#5. Emporia
- Child food insecurity rate: 30.2% (500 total)
--- 14.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.6% (840 total)
--- 3.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $408,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02
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#4. Danville
- Child food insecurity rate: 32.0% (2,850 total)
--- 15.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.3% (6,630 total)
--- 4.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,101,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.90
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#3. Hopewell
- Child food insecurity rate: 33.8% (1,950 total)
--- 17.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.1% (3,840 total)
--- 5.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,151,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.48
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#2. Martinsville
- Child food insecurity rate: 34.3% (1,050 total)
--- 18.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.4% (2,330 total)
--- 6.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,111,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.96
50 / 50
#1. Petersburg
- Child food insecurity rate: 38.6% (2,490 total)
--- 22.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.3% (5,640 total)
--- 6.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,752,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.03
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