In this article, we list and discuss the 5 states with the highest rates of SNAP recipients in the US. If you would like to see our detailed discussion about the SNAP program, you can go to the 15 States With the Highest Rates of SNAP Recipients in the US instead.
5. Nevada
Percentage of Residents Receiving Food Stamps: 15.72%
Number of Residents that Participated in SNAP: 502,149
Fifth on the list, Nevada is a landlocked state in the Western region of the US, known for its casinos, festivals, lakes, and valleys. Nevada, also known as the Silver State, is home to 3.1 million individuals and is the 7th largest state by area. The median household income in the state is $72,333, while the poverty rate is 12.5%. Of these, the majority of the individuals living in poverty are under 18 years old. Moreover, the unemployment rate is 40.7%, and only 27% of the people in the state have attained higher education.
4. Oklahoma
Percentage of Residents Receiving Food Stamps: 16.73%
Number of Residents that Participated in SNAP: 678,335
Oklahoma, located in the south-central region of the country, is also a landlocked state. It is bordered by Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Texas. Famous for being a major producer of natural gas, oil, and agricultural products, Oklahoma is home to nearly 4 million people and has the 4th highest rate of SNAP recipients in the US. The median household income in the state is $59,673, which is $15,082 below the state average. Moreover, only 28.5% of the state’s population has attained higher education, the unemployment rate is 42.2%, and the poverty rate is 15.7%.
3. Oregon
Percentage of Residents Receiving Food Stamps: 17.67%
Number of Residents that Participated in SNAP: 748,069
Situated in the Pacific Northwest region of the country, Oregon is known globally for its wineries and vineyards. It is the 10th largest state by area in the US and is home to about 4.24 million people, of which 30% of the population has attained higher education. The median household income in the state is $75,657, the poverty rate in the state is 12.1%, and the unemployment rate is 40.3%. Oregon is also the fifth most taxed state in the US, according to one of our previous analyses.
2. Louisiana
Percentage of Residents Receiving Food Stamps: 18.58%
Number of Residents that Participated in SNAP: 850,023
Second on the list, Louisiana is a southeastern state located on the Gulf of Mexico and is best known for its cuisine, architecture, and festivals. Louisiana covers a land area of 43,193.1 square miles and is home to about 4.66 million individuals. Of these, only 27.1% of the population has attained higher education, 55.7% is employed, and 18.6% lives in poverty. The amount of residents receiving food stamps is also almost the same as the number of people living in poverty. Moreover, the median household income in the state is $19,339 less than the national average. Overall, Louisiana ranks among the top two states which receive the most food stamps in the US.
1. New Mexico
Percentage of Residents Receiving Food Stamps: 19.48%
Number of Residents that Participated in SNAP: 411,962
Topping the list, New Mexico is located in the Southwestern region of the US and is home to a population of over 2.1 million people, of which 411,962 people participated in SNAP as of January 2024’s initial data. Aside from having the highest percentage of SNAP recipients in the US, New Mexico is also one of the top 5 states with the largest oil reserves and is known across the world for being the birthplace of the nuclear bomb as well as its diverse landscapes and the Roswell incident. The median household income in the state is $59,726, while the poverty rates stand at 17.6%.
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