National Facts and Figures on Hunger and Food Insecurity

The latest federal data indicate that:

  • In 2004, 13.5 million households (or 11.9% of all U.S. households) were food insecure. Over 38 million people (13.2% of all Americans) lived in these households.
  • During the 12 months preceding the 2004 survey, 4.4 million households experienced hunger. Over 10.7 million adults and children lived in these households.
  • In 2004, 13.9 million children under age 18 lived in food-insecure households (19.0% of all children).
  • Food insecurity and hunger are concentrated in low-income households. In 2004, households with incomes below 130% poverty line had a food insecurity prevalence more than 3 times the national level. More than two-thirds of households reporting hunger had incomes under 185% of the poverty line.
  • Female-headed households showed disproportionately high levels of food insecurity and hunger, with 33% reporting food insecurity and 1 in 11 experiencing hunger.
  • Black and Hispanic households had food insecurity prevalences that were at least 2.5 times those of White (non-Hispanic) households.

 

Food Insecurity and Hunger in the United States, 2004

 
2004
 
000's
%
Children in households
73,039
(100.0)
    Food insecure
13,868
19.0
      without child hunger
13,323
18.2
      with child hunger
545
0.7
Individuals in households
288,603
(100.0)
    Food insecure
38,196
13.2
      without hunger
27,535
9.5
      with hunger
10,661
3.7
Number of households
112,967
(100.0)
    Food insecure
13,494
11.9
      without hunger
9,045
8.0
      with hunger
4,449
3.9
Source: Nord, M., Andrews, M., Carlson, S. (October 2005) Household Food Security in the United States, 2004. Washington, D.C.: Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.