Food Insecurity Rates

State-by-state food insecurity rates, historical trends, and demographic analysis

Updated: January 2025

2025 National Food Insecurity Statistics

44.2M

Food Insecure Americans

11.2%

National Food Insecurity Rate

13.5M

Food Insecure Children

5.8M

Food Insecure Seniors

What is Food Insecurity?

Food insecurity is the lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life.

Low Food Security
  • Reduced quality, variety, or desirability of diet
  • Little or no reduction in food intake
  • Households manage by using coping strategies
Very Low Food Security
  • Disrupted eating patterns
  • Reduced food intake at times
  • Sometimes go without eating
Note: Food insecurity is measured using the USDA's Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement, which asks 18 questions about household food access, affordability, and usage.

Food Insecurity Rates - All 50 States

Complete ranking of all states by food insecurity rate. Click a state to find food banks and resources.

Rank State Food Insecurity Rate Food Insecure People Child Food Insecurity Actions
1 Louisiana 17.9% 825,300 24.8% View
2 Mississippi 17.4% 513,200 24.2% View
3 Arkansas 16.8% 509,400 23.6% View
4 Oklahoma 16.6% 662,800 23.1% View
5 Alabama 16.4% 817,900 22.9% View
6 New Mexico 16.4% 346,500 22.7% View
7 West Virginia 16.3% 287,400 21.8% View Report
8 Texas 15.9% 4,892,100 22.3% View
9 South Carolina 15.2% 797,600 21.4% View
10 Kentucky 14.8% 663,400 19.7% View Report
11 Tennessee 14.2% 1,002,800 19.3% View Report
12 Ohio 13.1% 1,537,800 18.4% View Report
13 North Carolina 12.4% 1,317,600 17.2% View Report
14 Pennsylvania 11.8% 1,528,400 16.4% View Report
15 Virginia 10.2% 886,900 14.1% View Report
Additional states available - showing top 15 and FoodBankFinder coverage states
Data Source: Food insecurity rates from Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap 2024, based on USDA and Census Bureau data.

National Food Insecurity Trends (2015-2025)

Key Trends:
  • 2015-2019: Steady decline in food insecurity following economic recovery
  • 2020: Sharp increase due to COVID-19 pandemic and economic disruption
  • 2021-2025: Gradual improvement but rates remain above pre-pandemic levels
  • Current: 11.2% national rate represents progress but millions still struggling

Food Insecurity by Region

Highest Rates by Region
South

Average: 13.4% | Highest: Louisiana (17.9%)

13.4%
West

Average: 11.8% | Highest: New Mexico (16.4%)

11.8%
Midwest

Average: 10.7% | Highest: Ohio (13.1%)

10.7%
Northeast

Average: 9.8% | Highest: Maine (11.6%)

9.8%
Lowest Food Insecurity States
  1. North Dakota - 8.4% (71,200 people)
  2. New Hampshire - 8.6% (118,900 people)
  3. Minnesota - 8.7% (484,700 people)
  4. Vermont - 9.1% (58,400 people)
  5. Wisconsin - 9.2% (537,900 people)
  6. Massachusetts - 9.4% (658,200 people)
  7. Hawaii - 9.6% (139,800 people)
  8. Connecticut - 9.7% (346,100 people)

These states generally have stronger social safety nets, higher median incomes, and more comprehensive food assistance programs.

Food Insecurity by Demographics

By Race/Ethnicity
Contributing Factors
  • Income: Households below poverty line face 33.1% food insecurity
  • Employment: Unemployment more than doubles food insecurity risk
  • Housing: Renters face higher rates (14.7%) than homeowners (7.8%)
  • Disability: Households with disabled members have 15.2% rate
  • Single Parents: Single-mother households face 28.7% rate

Find Food Assistance Near You

Search our database of food banks, pantries, and emergency food programs

Search Food Banks State Reports