Home

 › 

Health

 › 

This Is The State Where People Don’t Get Enough to Eat

This Is The State Where People Don’t Get Enough to Eat

Among the problems created by the COVID-19 pandemic is that many people who live in poverty, those with low wages that keep them just above the poverty level and those who lack job security have to make very difficult decisions about expenses. The federal government, in particular the U.S. Census Bureau, has attempted to track the effects of the pandemic on the most vulnerable portions of the population through what it calls the Household Pulse Survey, which is now in its 23rd week of data gathering. Among the conditions its questionnaires probe for is whether people can afford food. 

The Pulse Survey has labeled the hunger problem as “food scarcity.” This is defined as “adults in households where there was either sometimes or often not enough to eat in the last 7 days.” 

The data is collected among a sample of adults ages 18 and older. 

Kentucky ranked highest on the list at 16.9%, followed by Louisiana (16.7%), Georgia (15.2%) and Alabama and Alaska (both 14.4%). 

The numbers were lowest in the Northeast and the Plains States: Vermont and Wyoming (both 5.8%), Montana (6.1%), North Dakota (6.5%) and Massachusetts and Washington (both 6.8%).

Although the Pulse Survey does not match the food scarcity issue with income, it is notable that Kentucky, Louisiana and Alabama all rank among the nine lowest states sorted by median household income. 

The U.S. Census Bureau has conducted the Household Pulse Survey since April 23, 2020. The 23rd week covers the period from January 20 through February 1, 2021. Although the Census uses the term “week,” collection periods cover two weeks. Data is collected from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as from the 15 largest metropolitan statistical areas. The primary subjects covered by the survey are learning activities, internet availability, education situations, anticipated loss of wages, presence of depression and anxiety, housing, transportation and travel.

Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images

50. Wyoming
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 22,437
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 5.8%
> Household pulse survey sample: 383,567
> Adult population in 2019: 444,570
> Poverty rate in 2019: 10.1% (14th lowest)

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

49. Vermont
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 25,567
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 5.8%
> Household pulse survey sample: 438,799
> Adult population in 2019: 510,430
> Poverty rate in 2019: 10.2% (15th lowest)

Source: MarkHatfield / Getty Images

48. Montana
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 44,451
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 6.1%
> Household pulse survey sample: 734,079
> Adult population in 2019: 842,254
> Poverty rate in 2019: 12.6% (20th highest)

Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images

47. North Dakota
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 31,677
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 6.5%
> Household pulse survey sample: 490,167
> Adult population in 2019: 585,356
> Poverty rate in 2019: 10.6% (17th lowest)

Source: thyegn / iStock via Getty Images

46. Washington
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 366,617
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 6.8%
> Household pulse survey sample: 5,362,558
> Adult population in 2019: 5,951,928
> Poverty rate in 2019: 9.8% (9th lowest)

Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images

45. Massachusetts
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 317,541
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 6.8%
> Household pulse survey sample: 4,639,601
> Adult population in 2019: 5,540,726
> Poverty rate in 2019: 9.4% (8th lowest)

Source: kenlund / Flickr

44. Utah
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 143,701
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 7.1%
> Household pulse survey sample: 2,037,814
> Adult population in 2019: 2,275,650
> Poverty rate in 2019: 8.9% (2nd lowest)

Source: gregobagel / iStock via Getty Images

43. Rhode Island
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 49,933
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 7.5%
> Household pulse survey sample: 666,817
> Adult population in 2019: 855,786
> Poverty rate in 2019: 10.8% (18th lowest)

Source: dottedhippo / Getty Images

42. Idaho
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 92,297
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 7.8%
> Household pulse survey sample: 1,186,454
> Adult population in 2019: 1,337,710
> Poverty rate in 2019: 11.2% (21st lowest)

Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images

41. Pennsylvania
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 650,073
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 7.8%
> Household pulse survey sample: 8,307,119
> Adult population in 2019: 10,169,664
> Poverty rate in 2019: 12.0% (22nd highest)

Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

40. New Hampshire
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 73,388
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 7.9%
> Household pulse survey sample: 934,544
> Adult population in 2019: 1,103,691
> Poverty rate in 2019: 7.3% (the lowest)

Source: Walt Cisco / Wikimedia Commons

39. Kansas
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 148,874
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 8.0%
> Household pulse survey sample: 1,863,031
> Adult population in 2019: 2,213,013
> Poverty rate in 2019: 11.4% (24th lowest)

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

38. Missouri
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 328,102
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 8.0%
> Household pulse survey sample: 4,102,435
> Adult population in 2019: 4,764,733
> Poverty rate in 2019: 12.9% (18th highest)

Source: billgarrett-newagecrap / Flickr

37. Wisconsin
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 340,924
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 8.6%
> Household pulse survey sample: 3,973,154
> Adult population in 2019: 4,559,022
> Poverty rate in 2019: 10.4% (16th lowest)

Source: RASimon / Getty Images

36. Iowa
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 183,584
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 8.9%
> Household pulse survey sample: 2,061,109
> Adult population in 2019: 2,433,240
> Poverty rate in 2019: 11.2% (20th lowest)

Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images

35. New Jersey
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 529,887
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 9.1%
> Household pulse survey sample: 5,797,065
> Adult population in 2019: 6,944,166
> Poverty rate in 2019: 9.2% (5th lowest)

Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images

34. Ohio
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 737,436
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 9.4%
> Household pulse survey sample: 7,845,569
> Adult population in 2019: 9,114,253
> Poverty rate in 2019: 13.1% (15th highest)

Source: bluestocking / Getty Images

33. Maryland
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 367,710
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 9.4%
> Household pulse survey sample: 3,901,466
> Adult population in 2019: 4,713,393
> Poverty rate in 2019: 9.0% (4th lowest)

Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images

32. Oregon
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 281,213
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 9.5%
> Household pulse survey sample: 2,946,602
> Adult population in 2019: 3,354,921
> Poverty rate in 2019: 11.4% (23rd lowest)

Source: tomsaint / Flickr

31. Hawaii
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 94,033
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 9.6%
> Household pulse survey sample: 984,316
> Adult population in 2019: 1,115,685
> Poverty rate in 2019: 9.3% (6th lowest)

Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images

30. Connecticut
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 224,639
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 9.6%
> Household pulse survey sample: 2,338,155
> Adult population in 2019: 2,837,855
> Poverty rate in 2019: 10.0% (12th lowest)

Source: marcduf / Getty Images

29. Maine
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 90,677
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 9.6%
> Household pulse survey sample: 948,170
> Adult population in 2019: 1,097,859
> Poverty rate in 2019: 10.9% (19th lowest)

Source: John Moore / Getty Images News via Getty Images

28. Colorado
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 389,859
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 9.8%
> Household pulse survey sample: 3,995,221
> Adult population in 2019: 4,502,416
> Poverty rate in 2019: 9.3% (7th lowest)

Source: John Moore / Getty Images News via Getty Images

27. Virginia
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 560,586
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 9.8%
> Household pulse survey sample: 5,704,403
> Adult population in 2019: 6,677,914
> Poverty rate in 2019: 9.9% (11th lowest)

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

26. Indiana
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 429,824
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 9.9%
> Household pulse survey sample: 4,357,922
> Adult population in 2019: 5,164,798
> Poverty rate in 2019: 11.9% (24th highest)

Source: Tim Boyle / Getty Images News via Getty Images

25. Illinois
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 817,313
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 10.0%
> Household pulse survey sample: 8,201,509
> Adult population in 2019: 9,857,142
> Poverty rate in 2019: 11.5% (25th lowest)

Source: peeterv / Getty Images

24. Michigan
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 652,664
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 10.1%
> Household pulse survey sample: 6,491,394
> Adult population in 2019: 7,844,035
> Poverty rate in 2019: 13.0% (17th highest)

Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images

23. Nebraska
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 124,485
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 10.1%
> Household pulse survey sample: 1,234,310
> Adult population in 2019: 1,459,312
> Poverty rate in 2019: 9.9% (10th lowest)

Source: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images

22. Delaware
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 68,396
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 10.1%
> Household pulse survey sample: 674,193
> Adult population in 2019: 769,818
> Poverty rate in 2019: 11.3% (22nd lowest)

Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images

21. Tennessee
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 487,943
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 10.8%
> Household pulse survey sample: 4,498,244
> Adult population in 2019: 5,318,422
> Poverty rate in 2019: 13.9% (9th highest)

Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images

20. Minnesota
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 403,509
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 10.8%
> Household pulse survey sample: 3,726,109
> Adult population in 2019: 4,336,963
> Poverty rate in 2019: 9.0% (3rd lowest)

Source: Isaac Malsom / Wikimedia Commons

19. South Dakota
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 63,655
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 11.0%
> Household pulse survey sample: 578,944
> Adult population in 2019: 669,390
> Poverty rate in 2019: 11.9% (23rd highest)

Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images

18. South Carolina
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 386,023
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 11.2%
> Household pulse survey sample: 3,434,287
> Adult population in 2019: 4,036,414
> Poverty rate in 2019: 13.8% (10th highest)

Source: texasbackroads / Flickr

17. Oklahoma
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 294,542
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 11.8%
> Household pulse survey sample: 2,486,319
> Adult population in 2019: 3,004,742
> Poverty rate in 2019: 15.2% (8th highest)

Source: gerrydincher / Flickr

16. North Carolina
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 839,473
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 12.0%
> Household pulse survey sample: 6,991,403
> Adult population in 2019: 8,194,112
> Poverty rate in 2019: 13.6% (12th highest)

Source: Konoplytska / Getty Images

15. Arizona
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 578,787
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 12.1%
> Household pulse survey sample: 4,782,586
> Adult population in 2019: 5,639,069
> Poverty rate in 2019: 13.5% (13th highest)

Source: trekandshoot / Getty Images

14. California
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 3,137,005
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 12.2%
> Household pulse survey sample: 25,625,838
> Adult population in 2019: 30,621,159
> Poverty rate in 2019: 11.8% (25th highest)

Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images

13. Texas
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 2,332,976
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 12.8%
> Household pulse survey sample: 18,201,518
> Adult population in 2019: 21,599,250
> Poverty rate in 2019: 13.6% (11th highest)

Source: TerryJ / Getty Images

12. Florida
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 1,940,762
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 12.9%
> Household pulse survey sample: 15,089,049
> Adult population in 2019: 17,245,782
> Poverty rate in 2019: 12.7% (19th highest)

Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images

11. Mississippi
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 239,623
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 13.0%
> Household pulse survey sample: 1,840,502
> Adult population in 2019: 2,277,729
> Poverty rate in 2019: 19.6% (the highest)

Source: Hulton Archive / Getty Images

10. Arkansas
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 250,940
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 13.1%
> Household pulse survey sample: 1,918,165
> Adult population in 2019: 2,318,792
> Poverty rate in 2019: 16.2% (5th highest)

Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images

9. New Mexico
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 184,430
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 13.3%
> Household pulse survey sample: 1,385,931
> Adult population in 2019: 1,622,979
> Poverty rate in 2019: 18.2% (3rd highest)

Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images

8. West Virginia
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 162,381
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 13.9%
> Household pulse survey sample: 1,166,062
> Adult population in 2019: 1,433,329
> Poverty rate in 2019: 16.0% (6th highest)

Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images

7. New York
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 1,752,965
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 13.9%
> Household pulse survey sample: 12,638,613
> Adult population in 2019: 15,431,465
> Poverty rate in 2019: 13.0% (16th highest)

Source: Max Whittaker / Getty Images News via Getty Images

6. Nevada
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 298,687
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 14.2%
> Household pulse survey sample: 2,109,339
> Adult population in 2019: 2,389,419
> Poverty rate in 2019: 12.5% (21st highest)

Source: Incomel / Getty Images

5. Alaska
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 66,514
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 14.4%
> Household pulse survey sample: 463,459
> Adult population in 2019: 551,796
> Poverty rate in 2019: 10.1% (13th lowest)

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

4. Alabama
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 441,252
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 14.4%
> Household pulse survey sample: 3,060,704
> Adult population in 2019: 3,817,588
> Poverty rate in 2019: 15.5% (7th highest)

Source: Janabi / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

3. Georgia
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 1,035,769
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 15.2%
> Household pulse survey sample: 6,807,198
> Adult population in 2019: 8,114,394
> Poverty rate in 2019: 13.3% (14th highest)

Source: Mario Tama / Getty Images News via Getty Images

2. Louisiana
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 457,239
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 16.7%
> Household pulse survey sample: 2,744,086
> Adult population in 2019: 3,563,908
> Poverty rate in 2019: 19.0% (2nd highest)

Source: Mario Tama / Getty Images News via Getty Images

1. Kentucky
> Adults who did not get enough to eat at the end of Jan: 490,895
> Share of adults who did not get enough to eat: 16.9%
> Household pulse survey sample: 2,901,378
> Adult population in 2019: 3,465,848
> Poverty rate in 2019: 16.3% (4th highest)

To top