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 West 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. West Virginia has a child food insecurity rate of 17.3%, which ranks #8 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 West Virginia.
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#55. Morgan County
- Child food insecurity rate: 9.4% (300 total)
--- 6.7% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 6.6% (1,180 total)
--- 5.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $607,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.19
2 / 55
#54. Jefferson County
- Child food insecurity rate: 9.7% (1,230 total)
--- 6.4% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 7.0% (4,000 total)
--- 4.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,209,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.43
3 / 55
#53. Monongalia County
- Child food insecurity rate: 11.9% (2,060 total)
--- 4.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.8% (11,470 total)
--- 1.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,885,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.19
4 / 55
#52. Putnam County
- Child food insecurity rate: 12.0% (1,520 total)
--- 4.1% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.6% (4,860 total)
--- 3.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,431,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.11
5 / 55
#51. Doddridge County
6 / 55
#50. Grant County
- Child food insecurity rate: 12.7% (270 total)
--- 3.4% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.4% (1,090 total)
--- 2.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $541,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.08
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#49. Berkeley County
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.6% (3,730 total)
--- 2.5% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 8.3% (9,730 total)
--- 3.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,003,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.19
8 / 55
#48. Pendleton County
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.1% (170 total)
--- 2.0% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.5% (660 total)
--- 2.3% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $348,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.28
9 / 55
#47. Pleasants County
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.4% (230 total)
--- 0.7% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.8% (810 total)
--- 1.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $402,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.08
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#46. Gilmer County
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.5% (190 total)
--- 0.6% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.5% (840 total)
--- 1.3% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $395,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.92
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#45. Preston County
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.6% (980 total)
--- 0.5% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.0% (3,710 total)
--- 0.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,754,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.94
12 / 55
#44. Harrison County
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.9% (2,300 total)
--- 0.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.0% (8,090 total)
--- 0.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,737,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.87
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#43. Mineral County
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.9% (860 total)
--- 0.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.1% (2,990 total)
--- 0.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,483,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.08
14 / 55
#42. Ohio County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.3% (1,310 total)
--- 0.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.9% (5,000 total)
--- 0.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,662,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.31
15 / 55
#41. Brooke County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.3% (670 total)
--- 1.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.6% (2,580 total)
--- 0.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,313,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.16
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#40. Tucker County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.5% (190 total)
--- 1.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.3% (780 total)
--- 0.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $374,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.98
17 / 55
#39. Hampshire County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.7% (780 total)
--- 1.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.4% (2,670 total)
--- 0.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,354,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.15
18 / 55
#38. Jackson County
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.0% (1,120 total)
--- 1.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.5% (3,880 total)
--- 1.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,798,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.88
19 / 55
#37. Mason County
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.0% (990 total)
--- 1.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.5% (3,060 total)
--- 0.3% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,402,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.85
21 / 55
#35. Wood County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.1% (3,390 total)
--- 3.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.8% (10,830 total)
--- 1.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,965,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.85
22 / 55
#34. Marion County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.3% (2,170 total)
--- 3.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.3% (6,910 total)
--- 0.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,484,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.13
23 / 55
#33. Cabell County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.4% (3,590 total)
--- 3.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.8% (13,820 total)
--- 3.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,803,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.06
24 / 55
#32. Hancock County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.4% (1,070 total)
--- 3.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.6% (3,660 total)
--- 0.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,796,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05
25 / 55
#31. Randolph County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.4% (1,090 total)
--- 3.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.0% (3,740 total)
--- 1.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,794,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.98
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#30. Monroe County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.5% (520 total)
--- 3.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.7% (1,560 total)
--- 0.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $768,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.06
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#29. Taylor County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.7% (660 total)
--- 3.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.4% (2,080 total)
--- 0.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,049,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.13
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#28. Wayne County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.7% (1,620 total)
--- 3.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.1% (6,050 total)
--- 3.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,674,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.74
29 / 55
#27. Marshall County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.9% (1,200 total)
--- 3.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.8% (3,960 total)
--- 1.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,946,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05
30 / 55
#26. Greenbrier County
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.1% (1,360 total)
--- 4.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.6% (4,760 total)
--- 1.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,343,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.06
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#25. Pocahontas County
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.1% (290 total)
--- 4.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.1% (1,270 total)
--- 3.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $625,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.06
32 / 55
#24. Kanawha County
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.2% (7,310 total)
--- 4.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.1% (23,650 total)
--- 1.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $11,532,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.03
33 / 55
#23. Ritchie County
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.2% (400 total)
--- 4.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.2% (1,280 total)
--- 1.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $587,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.85
34 / 55
#22. Barbour County
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.4% (660 total)
--- 4.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.0% (2,320 total)
--- 2.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,092,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.92
35 / 55
#21. Upshur County
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.5% (1,010 total)
--- 4.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.8% (3,370 total)
--- 2.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,586,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.92
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#20. Wetzel County
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.2% (660 total)
--- 5.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.5% (2,220 total)
--- 2.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,091,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05
37 / 55
#19. Lewis County
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.7% (750 total)
--- 5.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.4% (2,310 total)
--- 2.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,087,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.92
38 / 55
#18. Hardy County
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.8% (620 total)
--- 5.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.1% (1,540 total)
--- 0.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $781,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.15
39 / 55
#17. Boone County
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.9% (1,020 total)
--- 5.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.6% (3,420 total)
--- 3.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,574,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.86
40 / 55
#16. Braxton County
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.7% (630 total)
--- 6.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.8% (2,080 total)
--- 3.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $988,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.95
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#15. Raleigh County
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.0% (3,540 total)
--- 6.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.2% (11,340 total)
--- 3.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,176,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.83
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#14. Nicholas County
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.2% (1,180 total)
--- 7.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.8% (3,690 total)
--- 3.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,753,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.95
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#13. Mercer County
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.3% (2,840 total)
--- 7.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.3% (9,100 total)
--- 3.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,372,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.98
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#12. Lincoln County
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.7% (1,150 total)
--- 8.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.4% (3,390 total)
--- 4.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,759,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.22
45 / 55
#11. Wirt County
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.8% (300 total)
--- 8.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.2% (990 total)
--- 5.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $454,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.85
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#10. Fayette County
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.0% (2,220 total)
--- 8.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.4% (7,070 total)
--- 4.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,319,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.92
47 / 55
#9. Summers County
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.5% (530 total)
--- 9.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.8% (2,000 total)
--- 4.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $913,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.83
48 / 55
#8. Webster County
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.9% (430 total)
--- 9.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.0% (1,490 total)
--- 6.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $708,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.95
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#7. Wyoming County
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.2% (1,130 total)
--- 10.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 17.9% (3,730 total)
--- 6.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,972,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.28
50 / 55
#6. Roane County
- Child food insecurity rate: 28.0% (830 total)
--- 11.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 18.5% (2,560 total)
--- 6.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,186,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.88
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#5. Clay County
- Child food insecurity rate: 29.5% (570 total)
--- 13.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 20.6% (1,770 total)
--- 8.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $841,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.95
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#4. Logan County
- Child food insecurity rate: 29.8% (2,000 total)
--- 13.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 19.9% (6,490 total)
--- 8.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,900,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.78
53 / 55
#3. McDowell County
- Child food insecurity rate: 31.5% (1,170 total)
--- 15.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 22.0% (3,970 total)
--- 10.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,098,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.28
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#2. Mingo County
- Child food insecurity rate: 31.9% (1,690 total)
--- 15.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 22.5% (5,350 total)
--- 10.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,751,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.19
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#1. Calhoun County
