All people in North Carolina have equitable access to affordable, nutritious, culturally appropriate foods. and 4 more...
Food Insecurity in North Carolina: Percent of People Without Access to a Reliable Source of Food
Current Value
14%
Definition
Story Behind the Curve
From 2018 to 2022, North Carolina's population food insecurity percentage remained relatively stable (ranging between 12% to 14%). [County Health Rankings 2021-2025 reported data]
Access to reliable food improved slightly in 2020 and 2021, however, in 2022 the trend returned to the 2018 baseline of 14% (as reported in 2025).
*Should not compare ranked data from year to year.
* Do not compare data prior to the County Health Rankings 2021 Annual Data Release to data from more recent years due to changeds in CHR calculation methods.
Indicator Notes
The HNC2030 indicator Limited Access to Healthy Food includes County Health Rankings data. Because those numbers are not frequently updated, this Scorecard includes the alternative indicator: Food Insecurity.
Definition of Food Insecurity:
Percentage of population who lack adequate access to food.
Food Insecurity measures access to a constant food supply over the past year.
It also addresses barriers to healthy eating by assessing the ability of individuals and families to provide balanced meals (including fruits and vegetables). [countyhealthrankings.org]
Why is this Important?
A lack of consistent access to food is related to negative health outcomes (including weight gain and premature mortality).
Range across counties in the state:
2025 (based on 2022 data): 11% - 22%
2024 (based on 2021 data): 8% - 18%
2023 (based on 2020 data): 9% - 20%
2022 (based on 2019 data): 9% - 20%
2021 (based on 2018 data): 10% - 21%
Additional Information:
The CHR Food Insecurity measure is modeled with the Core Food Insecurity Model (uses information from Community Population Survey, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and American Community Survey).
Numerator: population with lack of access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life or with uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate foods.
Denominator: total population.
References and Links:
https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/health-data/community-conditions/health-infrastructure/health-promotion-and-harm-reduction/food-insecurity?year=2025
https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/health-data/north-carolina?year=2025&measure=Food+Insecurity*
County level data is available at the following link: https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/health-data/north-carolina/data-and-resources
County Health Rankings (countyhealthrankings.org)
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