Counties with the highest rate of food insecurity in Texas

Written by:
February 5, 2022
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Counties with the highest rate of food insecurity in Texas

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 Texas 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.

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#50. Freestone County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.4% (3,430 total)
--- 59.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.4% (1,100 total)
--- 67.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,670,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.85

#49. Kleberg County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.4% (5,390 total)
--- 59.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.5% (1,840 total)
--- 67.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,638,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.86

#48. Cass County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.5% (5,270 total)
--- 60.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 27.4% (1,860 total)
--- 87.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,602,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.89

#47. Cameron County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.5% (73,730 total)
--- 60.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.7% (33,380 total)
--- 76.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $29,810,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.37

#46. Montague County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.7% (3,440 total)
--- 62.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.3% (1,040 total)
--- 59.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,812,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.08

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#45. Loving County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.8% (20 total)
--- 63.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.4% (10 total)
--- 46.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $10,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.97

#44. Swisher County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.8% (1,320 total)
--- 63.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 28.4% (530 total)
--- 94.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $682,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02

#43. Leon County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.8% (3,070 total)
--- 63.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.5% (1,030 total)
--- 81.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,472,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.80

#42. Eastland County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.8% (3,260 total)
--- 63.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.6% (940 total)
--- 68.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,601,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.87

#41. Kinney County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.9% (660 total)
--- 64.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 30.1% (140 total)
--- 106.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $256,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.27

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#40. McCulloch County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.9% (1,440 total)
--- 64.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.2% (420 total)
--- 58.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $691,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.81

#39. Houston County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.9% (4,110 total)
--- 64.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 28.8% (1,290 total)
--- 97.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,862,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.65

#38. Shelby County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.9% (4,530 total)
--- 64.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 28.8% (1,910 total)
--- 97.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,223,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.87

#37. Jasper County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.9% (6,340 total)
--- 64.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 27.7% (2,370 total)
--- 89.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,063,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.83

#36. Somervell County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.0% (1,590 total)
--- 65.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.9% (440 total)
--- 50.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $793,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.92

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#35. Morris County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.0% (2,220 total)
--- 65.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 28.6% (810 total)
--- 95.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,064,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.80

#34. Maverick County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.0% (10,500 total)
--- 65.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.4% (4,830 total)
--- 80.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,947,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.20

#33. Hidalgo County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.0% (153,810 total)
--- 65.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.4% (74,290 total)
--- 80.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $63,826,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.43

#32. Dickens County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.1% (400 total)
--- 66.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.7% (100 total)
--- 55.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $212,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.10

#31. Delta County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.1% (950 total)
--- 66.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 27.4% (340 total)
--- 87.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $451,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.78

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#30. Lamar County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.1% (9,000 total)
--- 66.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.1% (3,080 total)
--- 78.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,117,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.68

#29. Haskell County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.2% (1,040 total)
--- 67.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.6% (260 total)
--- 68.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $527,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.97

#28. Marion County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.2% (1,820 total)
--- 67.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 29.9% (540 total)
--- 104.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $916,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.94

#27. Aransas County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.2% (4,450 total)
--- 67.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.5% (1,220 total)
--- 81.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,290,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.01

#26. Red River County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.3% (2,230 total)
--- 67.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.6% (630 total)
--- 75.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,050,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.75

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#25. Tyler County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.4% (3,950 total)
--- 68.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.6% (1,110 total)
--- 82.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,920,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.84

#24. Polk County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.4% (8,990 total)
--- 68.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 28.6% (2,840 total)
--- 95.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,353,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.83

#23. Jim Hogg County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.5% (970 total)
--- 69.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 31.8% (530 total)
--- 117.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $443,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.67

#22. Dawson County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.5% (2,370 total)
--- 69.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.0% (860 total)
--- 78.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,238,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

#21. Throckmorton County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.7% (270 total)
--- 71.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.5% (60 total)
--- 74.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $140,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.04

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#20. Kimble County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.7% (820 total)
--- 71.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 27.2% (250 total)
--- 86.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $371,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.65

#19. Trinity County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.8% (2,750 total)
--- 72.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 29.1% (870 total)
--- 99.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,329,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.83

#18. Willacy County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.8% (4,050 total)
--- 72.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 29.3% (1,520 total)
--- 100.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,551,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.24

#17. Nacogdoches County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.8% (12,290 total)
--- 72.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.1% (3,950 total)
--- 78.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,192,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.95

#16. Kent County

- Food insecurity rate: 19.0% (120 total)
--- 74.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.2% (30 total)
--- 45.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $61,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.96

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#15. Culberson County

- Food insecurity rate: 19.0% (420 total)
--- 74.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 34.6% (220 total)
--- 137.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $212,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.95

#14. Wilbarger County

- Food insecurity rate: 19.0% (2,440 total)
--- 74.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.5% (760 total)
--- 81.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,227,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.94

#13. Falls County

- Food insecurity rate: 19.1% (3,310 total)
--- 75.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 30.4% (1,120 total)
--- 108.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,503,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.66

#12. Hall County

- Food insecurity rate: 19.2% (580 total)
--- 76.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.7% (180 total)
--- 82.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $303,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.06

#11. Zapata County

- Food insecurity rate: 19.4% (2,780 total)
--- 78.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 28.0% (1,340 total)
--- 91.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,166,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.45

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#10. Newton County

- Food insecurity rate: 19.9% (2,760 total)
--- 82.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 30.9% (870 total)
--- 111.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,375,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.91

#9. Dimmit County

- Food insecurity rate: 20.1% (2,100 total)
--- 84.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 30.1% (920 total)
--- 106.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $853,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.38

#8. Sabine County

- Food insecurity rate: 20.6% (2,150 total)
--- 89.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 33.0% (650 total)
--- 126.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,078,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.93

#7. Real County

- Food insecurity rate: 20.7% (710 total)
--- 89.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 31.4% (280 total)
--- 115.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $320,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.64

#6. San Augustine County

- Food insecurity rate: 21.0% (1,740 total)
--- 92.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 30.7% (500 total)
--- 110.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $854,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.87

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#5. Starr County

- Food insecurity rate: 21.1% (13,550 total)
--- 93.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 31.6% (6,680 total)
--- 116.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,073,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.62

#4. Zavala County

- Food insecurity rate: 21.5% (2,590 total)
--- 97.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 37.3% (1,330 total)
--- 155.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,033,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.33

#3. Brooks County

- Food insecurity rate: 22.0% (1,570 total)
--- 101.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 33.3% (630 total)
--- 128.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $676,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.52

#2. Cottle County

- Food insecurity rate: 23.1% (380 total)
--- 111.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 34.5% (180 total)
--- 136.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $195,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.99

#1. Presidio County

- Food insecurity rate: 24.2% (1,690 total)
--- 122.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 34.7% (630 total)
--- 137.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $919,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.18

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