Definitions: Children under age 18 living in households, where in the previous 12 months, there was an uncertainty of having, or an inability to acquire, enough food for all household members because of insufficient money or other resources.
Because of the large sampling errors associated with state-level data, the Census Bureau recommends using multi-year averages to examine state-level trends from the Current Population Survey. Therefore, each year represents a three-year average of data. For example, 2002 represents results from the 2001, 2002 and 2003 Current Population Survey, Food Security Supplements.
For more information on the definition of Food Security/Insecurity see: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/FoodSecurity/measurement.htm
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Data Source: Population Reference Bureau, analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, Food Security Supplement.
Footnotes:
Updated September 2012.
N.A. – Data not available.
Note: Maps use the natural break classification method, which reflects patterns
in the data by dividing the map into naturally occurring groups. Using statistical tools, this method
determines cut-off points for each group by identifying large gaps in data values.
Note: The District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are
not included in maps and rankings because they are not states and therefore comparisons on many
indicators of child well being are not meaningful.