Counties and cities with the highest rate of food insecure children in Virginia
Stacker compiled a list of the counties and cities with highest rate of children with food insecurity Virginia using data from Feeding America.
Counties with the highest rate of food insecure children in Virginia
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 5.3 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 counties and cities in 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 2019.
You may also like: Lowest-earning counties in Virginia
#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%
#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%
#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%
#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%
You may also like: Highest-rated Class of 2021 football recruits from Virginia
#45. Lynchburg city
- 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%
#44. Waynesboro city
- 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%
#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%
#41. Newport News city
- 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%
You may also like: Counties with the most super commuters in Virginia
#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%
#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%
#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%
#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%
#36. Hampton city
- 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%
You may also like: Best places to retire in Virginia
#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%
#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%
#32. Roanoke city
- 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%
#31. Norfolk city
- 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%
You may also like: Best counties to retire to in Virginia
#30. Franklin city
- 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%
#28. Buena Vista city
- 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%
#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%
You may also like: Best counties to live in Virginia
#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%
#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%
#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%
You may also like: Fastest-growing counties in Virginia
#20. Portsmouth city
- 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%
#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%
#18. Galax city
- 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%
#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%
#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%
You may also like: Highest-rated specialty museums in Virginia, according to Tripadvisor
#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%
#14. Richmond city
- 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%
#11. Bristol city
- 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%
You may also like: Counties with the worst commutes in Virginia
#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%
#9. Martinsville city
- 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. Danville city
- 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. Hopewell city
- 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%
#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%
You may also like: Best counties to raise a family in Virginia
#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%
#4. Norton city
- 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%
#3. Emporia city
- 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%
#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. Petersburg city
- 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%
You may also like: Most valuable crops grown in Virginia
The off-duty Virginia State Police officer who drowned over the weekend in Spotsylvania County has been identified as 41-year-old Nicholas Koslicki.
Residents of Petersburg, where the median household income is among the lowest in the state, face a life expectancy of only 66.2 years, 10 years worse than the national average.
The Virginia Information Technologies Agency is losing its third high-level manager since Gov. Glenn Youngkin replaced its top executive in January.