50 Virginia localities with highest rates of food insecure children, including 14 in SWVA

(STACKER) — 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 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that more than 5.3 million children lived in food-insecure households in 2019.

The COVID-19 pandemic put further strain on households already experiencing food hardship, with Feeding America estimating that 13 million children may experience food insecurity in 2021—that’s one in six children.

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 localities in Virginia with the highest rate of food insecure children using data from Feeding America. Localities are ranked by highest percent of children with food insecurity as of 2019.

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#50. Wythe County

– Child food insecurity rate: 16.8%
— Number of food insecure children: 960
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 75.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 25.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 13.1%

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#49. Charles City County

– Child food insecurity rate: 16.9%
— Number of food insecure children: 180
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 48.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 52.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 8.9%

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#48. Nottoway County

– Child food insecurity rate: 16.9%
— Number of food insecure children: 510
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 62.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 38.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 12.5%

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#47. Washington County

– Child food insecurity rate: 16.9%
— Number of food insecure children: 1,670
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 74.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 27.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 13.6%

#46. Scott County

– Child food insecurity rate: 17.1%
— Number of food insecure children: 690
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 76.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 24.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 15.1%

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#45. City of Lynchburg

– Child food insecurity rate: 17.3%
— Number of food insecure children: 2,680
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 60.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 40.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 13.1%

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#44. City of Waynesboro

– Child food insecurity rate: 17.6%
— Number of food insecure children: 910
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 74.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 26.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 13.1%

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#43. Page County

– Child food insecurity rate: 17.7%
— Number of food insecure children: 850
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 75.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 25.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 14.1%

#42. Pulaski County

– Child food insecurity rate: 17.7%
— Number of food insecure children: 1,080
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 74.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 26.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 13.4%

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#41. City of Newport News

– Child food insecurity rate: 17.8%
— Number of food insecure children: 7,420
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 52.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 48.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 11.5%

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#40. Surry County

– Child food insecurity rate: 18.0%
— Number of food insecure children: 200
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 40.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 60.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 10.1%

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#39. Buckingham County

– Child food insecurity rate: 18.0%
— Number of food insecure children: 560
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 65.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 35.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 11.3%

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#38. Patrick County

– Child food insecurity rate: 18.0%
— Number of food insecure children: 560
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 71.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 29.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 12.6%

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#37. Sussex County

– Child food insecurity rate: 18.2%
— Number of food insecure children: 330
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 46.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 54.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 9.6%

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#36. City of Hampton

– Child food insecurity rate: 18.5%
— Number of food insecure children: 5,290
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 40.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 60.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 10.6%

#35. Essex County

– Child food insecurity rate: 18.7%
— Number of food insecure children: 420
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 57.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 43.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 11.2%

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#34. Pittsylvania County

– Child food insecurity rate: 18.8%
— Number of food insecure children: 2,200
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 75.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 25.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 12.0%

#33. Cumberland County

– Child food insecurity rate: 19.1%
— Number of food insecure children: 370
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 52.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 48.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 11.3%

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#32. City of Roanoke

– Child food insecurity rate: 19.3%
— Number of food insecure children: 4,190
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 59.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 41.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 13.4%

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#31. City of Norfolk

– Child food insecurity rate: 19.3%
— Number of food insecure children: 9,300
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 50.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 50.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 12.5%

#30. City of Franklin

– Child food insecurity rate: 19.7%
— Number of food insecure children: 400
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 54.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 46.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 10.8%

#29. Accomack County

– Child food insecurity rate: 19.8%
— Number of food insecure children: 1,370
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 67.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 33.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 11.8%

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#28. City of Buena Vista

– Child food insecurity rate: 20.1%
— Number of food insecure children: 270
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 85.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 15.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 15.4%

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#27. Russell County

– Child food insecurity rate: 20.1%
— Number of food insecure children: 1,040
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 85.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 15.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 17.3%

#26. Smyth County

– Child food insecurity rate: 20.1%
— Number of food insecure children: 1,210
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 83.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 17.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 16.2%

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#25. Alleghany County

– Child food insecurity rate: 20.2%
— Number of food insecure children: 580
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 76.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 24.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 14.6%

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#24. Tazewell County

– Child food insecurity rate: 20.3%
— Number of food insecure children: 1,630
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 80.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 20.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 15.2%

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#23. Lunenburg County

– Child food insecurity rate: 20.4%
— Number of food insecure children: 450
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 63.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 37.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 12.3%

#22. Henry County

– Child food insecurity rate: 20.5%
— Number of food insecure children: 2,050
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 72.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 28.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 13.2%

#21. Northumberland County

– Child food insecurity rate: 20.6%
— Number of food insecure children: 370
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 48.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 52.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 9.9%

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#20. City of Portsmouth

– Child food insecurity rate: 20.7%
— Number of food insecure children: 4,610
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 41.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 59.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 11.2%

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#19. Greensville County

– Child food insecurity rate: 20.9%
— Number of food insecure children: 380
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 42.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 59.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 9.1%

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#18. City of Galax

– Child food insecurity rate: 21.3%
— Number of food insecure children: 300
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 93.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 7.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 17.3%

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#17. Northampton County

– Child food insecurity rate: 21.6%
— Number of food insecure children: 510
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 54.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 46.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 12.1%

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#16. Mecklenburg County

– Child food insecurity rate: 21.6%
— Number of food insecure children: 1,250
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 58.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 42.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 13.4%

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#15. Grayson County

– Child food insecurity rate: 21.8%
— Number of food insecure children: 580
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 78.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 22.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 14.5%

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#14. City of Richmond

– Child food insecurity rate: 22.7%
— Number of food insecure children: 9,060
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 44.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 56.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 13.9%

#13. Wise County

– Child food insecurity rate: 22.9%
— Number of food insecure children: 1,710
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 78.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 22.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 18.2%

#12. Charlotte County

– Child food insecurity rate: 23.4%
— Number of food insecure children: 620
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 66.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 34.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 15.3%

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#11. City of Bristol

– Child food insecurity rate: 23.8%
— Number of food insecure children: 860
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 90.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 10.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 17.7%

#10. Brunswick County

– Child food insecurity rate: 24.2%
— Number of food insecure children: 670
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 50.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 51.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 12.6%

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#9. City of Martinsville

– Child food insecurity rate: 25.1%
— Number of food insecure children: 780
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 56.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 44.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 15.0%

#8. City of Danville

– Child food insecurity rate: 25.1%
— Number of food insecure children: 2,250
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 50.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 50.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 15.2%

#7. City of Hopewell

– Child food insecurity rate: 25.2%
— Number of food insecure children: 1,450
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 55.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 45.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 15.8%

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#6. Lee County

– Child food insecurity rate: 25.4%
— Number of food insecure children: 1,120
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 86.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 15.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 19.0%

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#5. Dickenson County

– Child food insecurity rate: 25.7%
— Number of food insecure children: 740
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 76.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 25.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 19.5%

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#4. City of Norton

– Child food insecurity rate: 26.1%
— Number of food insecure children: 250
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 63.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 37.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 19.8%

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#3. City of Emporia

– Child food insecurity rate: 27.6%
— Number of food insecure children: 430
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 54.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 46.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 16.6%

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#2. Buchanan County

– Child food insecurity rate: 28.2%
— Number of food insecure children: 1,110
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 80.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 21.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 20.3%

#1. City of Petersburg

– Child food insecurity rate: 28.3%
— Number of food insecure children: 1,900
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 42.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 58.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 16.1%