Counties With the Highest Rate of Food Insecurity in Wisconsin

Royalbroil // Wikimedia Commons

Counties with the highest rate of food insecurity in Wisconsin

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 Wisconsin 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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Royalbroil // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Oneida County

- Food insecurity rate: 8.8% (3,100 total)
--- 19.3% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.0% (910 total)
--- 2.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,503,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.84

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Chris Rand//Wikicommons

#49. Brown County

- Food insecurity rate: 8.8% (22,900 total)
--- 19.3% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.3% (8,300 total)
--- 8.9% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $11,937,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

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Jonathunder // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Manitowoc County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.0% (7,120 total)
--- 17.4% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.8% (2,430 total)
--- 1.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,693,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.03

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Bobak Ha'Eri // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Pepin County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.1% (660 total)
--- 16.5% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.6% (240 total)
--- 6.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $358,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.17

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Royalbroil // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Lincoln County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.1% (2,520 total)
--- 16.5% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.3% (740 total)
--- 2.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,313,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

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bogdanstepniak // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Sauk County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.1% (5,820 total)
--- 16.5% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.4% (2,100 total)
--- 1.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,934,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.95

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TheCatalyst31 // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Portage County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.1% (6,440 total)
--- 16.5% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.0% (1,780 total)
--- 11.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,499,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.18

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Jeff the quiet // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Taylor County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.2% (1,880 total)
--- 15.6% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.1% (730 total)
--- 3.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,011,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.14

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Jeff the quiet // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Clark County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.3% (3,210 total)
--- 14.7% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.5% (1,580 total)
--- 6.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,700,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.10

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Royalbroil // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Shawano County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.3% (3,800 total)
--- 14.7% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.0% (1,410 total)
--- 9.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,723,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.65

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Creative Commons

#40. Winnebago County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.3% (15,890 total)
--- 14.7% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.3% (5,010 total)
--- 2.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $8,609,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.17

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Jonathunder // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Buffalo County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.4% (1,240 total)
--- 13.8% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.6% (390 total)
--- 0.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $698,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.29

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123dieinafire // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Polk County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.4% (4,060 total)
--- 13.8% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.8% (1,460 total)
--- 8.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,310,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.33

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Alan Froegel // Wikimedia Commons

#37. La Crosse County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.4% (11,070 total)
--- 13.8% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 12.5% (2,940 total)
--- 14.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,165,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.26

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gillfoto // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Racine County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.5% (18,600 total)
--- 12.8% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.1% (7,790 total)
--- 17.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $9,580,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.01

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Emistuemke // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Dunn County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.6% (4,290 total)
--- 11.9% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.5% (1,280 total)
--- 0.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,086,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.84

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Bobak Ha'Eri // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Chippewa County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.6% (6,130 total)
--- 11.9% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.6% (2,210 total)
--- 6.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,952,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.82

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#33. Waushara County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.7% (2,340 total)
--- 11.0% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.9% (760 total)
--- 15.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,342,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.35

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Corey Coyle // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Grant County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.7% (5,020 total)
--- 11.0% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.9% (1,590 total)
--- 2.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,434,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.84

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Keith Cooper // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Kenosha County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.7% (16,310 total)
--- 11.0% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.4% (6,430 total)
--- 12.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $8,407,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.01

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self // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Waupaca County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.8% (5,020 total)
--- 10.1% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.1% (1,690 total)
--- 10.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,454,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.86

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Wineinger // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Monroe County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.9% (4,520 total)
--- 9.2% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.9% (1,860 total)
--- 8.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,132,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.76

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Itrytohelp32 // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Eau Claire County

- Food insecurity rate: 9.9% (10,300 total)
--- 9.2% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.4% (3,020 total)
--- 1.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,708,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.24

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Royalbroil // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Green Lake County

- Food insecurity rate: 10.0% (1,880 total)
--- 8.3% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.7% (700 total)
--- 14.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $996,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.10

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Royalbroil // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Marquette County

- Food insecurity rate: 10.1% (1,550 total)
--- 7.3% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.6% (490 total)
--- 13.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $796,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.00

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Appraiser // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Barron County

- Food insecurity rate: 10.1% (4,550 total)
--- 7.3% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.5% (1,610 total)
--- 13.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,279,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.93

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TheCatalyst31 // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Wood County

- Food insecurity rate: 10.1% (7,390 total)
--- 7.3% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.1% (2,550 total)
--- 10.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,857,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05

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Royalbroil // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Jackson County

- Food insecurity rate: 10.3% (2,110 total)
--- 5.5% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.5% (740 total)
--- 13.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,083,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.00

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Visit Beloit // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Rock County

- Food insecurity rate: 10.4% (16,810 total)
--- 4.6% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.2% (6,540 total)
--- 17.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $8,547,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.97

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Corey Coyle // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Richland County

- Food insecurity rate: 10.6% (1,840 total)
--- 2.8% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.9% (640 total)
--- 15.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,008,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.20

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Jimmy Emerson // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Florence County

- Food insecurity rate: 10.7% (460 total)
--- 1.8% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.0% (110 total)
--- 16.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $237,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.01

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Royalbroil // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Vernon County

- Food insecurity rate: 10.7% (3,270 total)
--- 1.8% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.5% (1,400 total)
--- 19.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,744,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.12

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Jimmy Emerson // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Crawford County

- Food insecurity rate: 10.8% (1,760 total)
--- 0.9% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.1% (600 total)
--- 24.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $874,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.90

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Dls4832 // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Bayfield County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.0% (1,650 total)
--- 0.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.7% (510 total)
--- 34.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $879,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.12

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Bjoertvedt // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Washburn County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.1% (1,750 total)
--- 1.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.7% (590 total)
--- 34.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $909,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.04

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TheCatalyst31 // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Vilas County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.2% (2,440 total)
--- 2.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.4% (660 total)
--- 26.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,557,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.73

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Billertl // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Price County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.3% (1,520 total)
--- 3.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.7% (440 total)
--- 28.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $777,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.99

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Nfarmakes // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Douglas County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.3% (4,890 total)
--- 3.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.9% (1,460 total)
--- 15.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,457,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.94

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Jeff the quiet // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Rusk County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.4% (1,610 total)
--- 4.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.8% (550 total)
--- 28.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $842,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.06

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Dramsey57 // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Burnett County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.4% (1,750 total)
--- 4.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.8% (560 total)
--- 42.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $898,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.00

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Jeff the quiet // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Langlade County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.5% (2,200 total)
--- 5.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.7% (730 total)
--- 34.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,119,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.97

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Nathanthiel // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Juneau County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.5% (3,060 total)
--- 5.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.6% (1,040 total)
--- 34.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,807,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.45

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compujeramey // Flickr

#8. Milwaukee County

- Food insecurity rate: 11.8% (112,270 total)
--- 8.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.1% (48,330 total)
--- 44.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $58,249,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.03

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Royalbroil // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Adams County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.0% (2,420 total)
--- 10.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.5% (660 total)
--- 54.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,234,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.98

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Bobak Ha'Eri // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Marinette County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.0% (4,840 total)
--- 10.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.2% (1,550 total)
--- 38.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,321,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.80

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Foreverwiser // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Sawyer County

- Food insecurity rate: 12.6% (2,070 total)
--- 15.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.6% (690 total)
--- 47.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,071,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.03

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Royalbroil // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Forest County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.3% (1,200 total)
--- 22.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.8% (390 total)
--- 49.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $606,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.95

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Bobak Ha'Eri // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Iron County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.5% (770 total)
--- 23.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.5% (180 total)
--- 54.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $435,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.31

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Royalbroil // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Ashland County

- Food insecurity rate: 13.6% (2,120 total)
--- 24.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.2% (730 total)
--- 45.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,195,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.30

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Royalbroil // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Menominee County

- Food insecurity rate: 21.2% (970 total)
--- 94.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 34.3% (510 total)
--- 134.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $471,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.84