Counties with the highest rate of food insecurity in Virginia

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February 5, 2022
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Counties with the highest rate of food insecurity in Virginia

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 Virginia 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. Newport News city

- Food insecurity rate: 11.5% (20,740 total)
--- 5.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.8% (7,420 total)
--- 21.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $10,876,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07

#49. Staunton city

- Food insecurity rate: 11.6% (2,840 total)
--- 6.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 11.9% (550 total)
--- 18.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,479,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

#48. Montgomery County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.6% (11,370 total)
--- 6.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 10.4% (1,580 total)
--- 28.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,593,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.39

#47. Prince Edward County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.8% (2,690 total)
--- 8.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.8% (620 total)
--- 15.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,364,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.97

#46. Accomack County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.8% (3,860 total)
--- 8.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.8% (1,370 total)
--- 35.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,990,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02

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#45. Pittsylvania County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.0% (7,370 total)
--- 10.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.8% (2,200 total)
--- 28.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,138,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.28

#44. Northampton County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.1% (1,440 total)
--- 11.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.6% (510 total)
--- 47.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $806,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.27

#43. Lunenburg County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.3% (1,500 total)
--- 12.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.4% (450 total)
--- 39.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $766,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.99

#42. Williamsburg city

- Food insecurity rate: 12.3% (1,830 total)
--- 12.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.4% (210 total)
--- 8.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,070,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.42

#41. Charlottesville city

- Food insecurity rate: 12.4% (5,850 total)
--- 13.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 12.6% (930 total)
--- 13.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,515,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.51

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#40. Nottoway County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.5% (1,930 total)
--- 14.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.9% (510 total)
--- 15.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,005,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

#39. Fredericksburg city

- Food insecurity rate: 12.5% (3,580 total)
--- 14.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.8% (830 total)
--- 5.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,433,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.98

#38. Norfolk city

- Food insecurity rate: 12.5% (30,540 total)
--- 14.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.3% (9,300 total)
--- 32.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $17,185,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.29

#37. Brunswick County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.6% (2,090 total)
--- 15.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.2% (670 total)
--- 65.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,066,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.98

#36. Patrick County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.6% (2,230 total)
--- 15.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.0% (560 total)
--- 23.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,156,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.03

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#35. Carroll County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.6% (3,750 total)
--- 15.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.3% (810 total)
--- 2.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,104,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.28

#34. Harrisonburg city

- Food insecurity rate: 12.7% (6,780 total)
--- 16.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 11.3% (990 total)
--- 22.6% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,679,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.17

#33. Waynesboro city

- Food insecurity rate: 13.1% (2,910 total)
--- 20.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.6% (910 total)
--- 20.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,481,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.98

#32. Winchester city

- Food insecurity rate: 13.1% (3,660 total)
--- 20.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.2% (970 total)
--- 4.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,126,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.40

#31. Wythe County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.1% (3,780 total)
--- 20.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.8% (960 total)
--- 15.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,975,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.06

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#30. Lynchburg city

- Food insecurity rate: 13.1% (10,530 total)
--- 20.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.3% (2,680 total)
--- 18.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,605,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.11

#29. Henry County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.2% (6,780 total)
--- 21.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.5% (2,050 total)
--- 40.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,360,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.90

#28. Mecklenburg County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.4% (4,120 total)
--- 22.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.6% (1,250 total)
--- 47.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,107,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.99

#27. Pulaski County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.4% (4,580 total)
--- 22.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.7% (1,080 total)
--- 21.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,342,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.99

#26. Roanoke city

- Food insecurity rate: 13.4% (13,290 total)
--- 22.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.3% (4,190 total)
--- 32.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,659,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.93

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#25. Washington County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.6% (7,350 total)
--- 24.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.9% (1,670 total)
--- 15.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,183,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.33

#24. Richmond city

- Food insecurity rate: 13.9% (31,450 total)
--- 27.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.7% (9,060 total)
--- 55.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $18,838,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.50

#23. Page County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.1% (3,350 total)
--- 29.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.7% (850 total)
--- 21.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,761,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07

#22. Grayson County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.5% (2,280 total)
--- 33.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.8% (580 total)
--- 49.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,183,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.03

#21. Alleghany County

- Food insecurity rate: 14.6% (2,210 total)
--- 33.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.2% (580 total)
--- 38.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,195,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.16

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#20. Martinsville city

- Food insecurity rate: 15.0% (1,930 total)
--- 37.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.1% (780 total)
--- 71.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $965,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.92

#19. Scott County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.1% (3,310 total)
--- 38.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.1% (690 total)
--- 17.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,639,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.90

#18. Danville city

- Food insecurity rate: 15.2% (6,260 total)
--- 39.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.1% (2,250 total)
--- 71.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,934,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.74

#17. Tazewell County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.2% (6,340 total)
--- 39.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.3% (1,630 total)
--- 39.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,106,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.87

#16. Charlotte County

- Food insecurity rate: 15.3% (1,850 total)
--- 40.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.4% (620 total)
--- 60.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $962,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.04

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#15. Buena Vista city

- Food insecurity rate: 15.4% (1,000 total)
--- 41.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.1% (270 total)
--- 37.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $540,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.16

#14. Radford city

- Food insecurity rate: 15.6% (2,760 total)
--- 43.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 12.5% (230 total)
--- 14.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,534,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.25

#13. Hopewell city

- Food insecurity rate: 15.8% (3,540 total)
--- 45.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.2% (1,450 total)
--- 72.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,087,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.45

#12. Petersburg city

- Food insecurity rate: 16.1% (5,040 total)
--- 47.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 28.3% (1,900 total)
--- 93.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,517,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.92

#11. Smyth County

- Food insecurity rate: 16.2% (4,990 total)
--- 48.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.1% (1,210 total)
--- 37.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,608,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.06

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#10. Lexington city

- Food insecurity rate: 16.5% (1,190 total)
--- 51.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.0% (100 total)
--- 2.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $648,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.18

#9. Emporia city

- Food insecurity rate: 16.6% (900 total)
--- 52.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 27.6% (430 total)
--- 89.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $450,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.92

#8. Galax city

- Food insecurity rate: 17.3% (1,130 total)
--- 58.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.3% (300 total)
--- 45.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $576,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.98

#7. Russell County

- Food insecurity rate: 17.3% (4,700 total)
--- 58.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.1% (1,040 total)
--- 37.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,458,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.06

#6. Bristol city

- Food insecurity rate: 17.7% (2,990 total)
--- 62.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.8% (860 total)
--- 63.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,585,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.10

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#5. Wise County

- Food insecurity rate: 18.2% (7,000 total)
--- 67.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.9% (1,710 total)
--- 56.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,643,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.04

#4. Lee County

- Food insecurity rate: 19.0% (4,540 total)
--- 74.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.4% (1,120 total)
--- 74.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,267,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.92

#3. Dickenson County

- Food insecurity rate: 19.5% (2,880 total)
--- 78.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.7% (740 total)
--- 76.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,478,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.00

#2. Norton city

- Food insecurity rate: 19.8% (790 total)
--- 81.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.1% (250 total)
--- 78.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $409,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.03

#1. Buchanan County

- Food insecurity rate: 20.3% (4,430 total)
--- 86.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 28.2% (1,110 total)
--- 93.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,265,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.99

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