Counties with the highest rate of food insecure children in Wyoming
Counties with the highest rate of food insecure children in Wyoming
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 Wyoming 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. Wyoming has a child food insecurity rate of 12.9%, which ranks #35 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 Wyoming.
#23. Crook County
--- 8.6% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.1% (680 total)
--- 2.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $369,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.37
#22. Albany County
--- 6.5% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.1% (4,290 total)
--- 0.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,399,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.47
#21. Teton County
--- 5.9% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.1% (2,120 total)
--- 2.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,589,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.66
#20. Lincoln County
--- 4.7% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.3% (1,830 total)
--- 2.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,372,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.66
#19. Sheridan County
--- 4.5% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.5% (3,180 total)
--- 1.3% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,746,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.41
#18. Park County
--- 3.9% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.6% (2,810 total)
--- 2.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,545,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.42
#17. Weston County
--- 2.7% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.0% (760 total)
--- 0.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $413,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.37
#16. Laramie County
--- 2.4% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.9% (9,780 total)
--- 1.9% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,125,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.26
#15. Uinta County
--- 2.4% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.1% (2,260 total)
--- 0.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,152,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.17
#14. Converse County
--- 2.3% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.3% (1,420 total)
--- 1.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $724,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.17
#13. Big Horn County
--- 1.5% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.6% (1,250 total)
--- 1.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $687,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.42
#12. Campbell County
--- 1.3% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.3% (5,280 total)
--- 0.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,852,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.35
#11. Goshen County
--- 1.1% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.4% (1,390 total)
--- 1.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $686,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07
#10. Washakie County
--- 0.8% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.6% (840 total)
--- 1.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $461,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.41
#9. Sweetwater County
--- 0.7% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.5% (4,990 total)
--- 0.3% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,709,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.37
#8. Sublette County
--- 0.6% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.7% (1,060 total)
--- 1.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $578,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.39
#7. Carbon County
--- 0.4% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.7% (1,620 total)
--- 1.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $906,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.47
#6. Platte County
--- 0.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.4% (980 total)
--- 0.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $484,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07
#5. Natrona County
--- 0.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.1% (9,710 total)
--- 0.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,949,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.17
#4. Hot Springs County
--- 0.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.8% (580 total)
--- 1.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $316,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.39
#3. Johnson County
--- 1.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.2% (1,130 total)
--- 1.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $620,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.41
#2. Fremont County
--- 2.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.1% (5,210 total)
--- 1.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,840,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.39
#1. Niobrara County
--- 3.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.4% (340 total)
--- 2.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $168,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07