CHILD HUNGER STATISTICS

• In Tarrant Area Food Bank’s 13-county service area, nearly one-fifth (19.5 percent) of children under age 18 live in extreme poverty (below 100 percent of the federal poverty level) and thus are at high risk of hunger.  (U.S. Census Bureau, 2005)

• In Tarrant County, 1 in 5 children live in extreme poverty and thus are at high risk of hunger.

• In Texas, 1 in 4 children (24.3 percent) suffer from food insecurity or outright hunger. This is the second highest rate of hunger in the nation among children under age 18. Nationally, nearly 1 in 5 children are food insecure.*

• Among Texas children under age 5, the rate of food insecurity/hunger is closer to 1 in 4 children (23.3 percent), the fourth highest rate in the nation.**

• Of all age groups in the United States, children have the highest poverty rate (18 percent). (U.S. Census Bureau, 2007)

  * Child Food Insecurity in the United States: 2006–2008
**Child Food Insecurity in the United States: 2005–2007