State & National Hunger Statistics

In 2004 the federal governments count of hungry Americans showed an increase for the 5th consecutive year.  According to statistics released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA):

 In the United States:

• 38.2 million people were living in poverty (11.9%) in 2004.
• 11.9 million households were food insecure, up from 9.9 million in 2003.
• 19% of children living in the U.S, under 18 were living in poverty equal to 13.9 million children.

According to a May 2005 study by The Health Policy Institute of Ohio, in the State of Ohio:

•  17.1% of the population lived at or below the federal poverty level.
• Since 1998, the poverty rate has increased 5% points from 12.1% in 1998 to the current level.
• An estimated 209,000 children are livng in poverty.
• 10.7 % of people did not have health insurance.