PantryPath Research
SNAP Benefits in the
United States
County-level data on SNAP participation, who gets enrolled, who falls through the cracks, and how wide the coverage gap is for the nation's poorest households — built from Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates for all 3,144 U.S. counties.
11.8%
of U.S. households receive SNAP
Census ACS, 2019-2023
57.1%
of poor households are NOT enrolled
The coverage gap
57.1%
of SNAP households earn above poverty
The working-poor share
Data last updated: April 2026 · 3,144 counties · 51 states
What SNAP is — and what the coverage gap reveals
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest federal anti-hunger program, providing monthly food benefits to low-income households through an EBT card. SNAP benefits can be used only for eligible foods at authorized retailers.
Despite its scale, SNAP does not reach everyone it could. This report frames two questions. First, how many people who should qualify are actually enrolled? The "coverage gap" — the share of below-poverty households not receiving SNAP — sits at 57.1% nationally. Second, who is SNAP really serving? Nearly 57.1% of SNAP households are above the poverty line, meaning the program is a critical support for the working poor — not just those in extreme poverty.
Full methodology and definitionsWhy the coverage gap matters
Most below-poverty households are income-eligible for SNAP. When they are not enrolled, the gap reflects some combination of administrative barriers (paperwork, interview requirements), stigma, asset tests that exclude working households, and variable state outreach. Every uncovered household is one more family relying on food pantries, food banks, or simply going without.
How this report measures participation
- SNAP receipt rate — % of all households receiving SNAP (ACS S2201_C04_001E)
- Coverage rate — % of below-poverty households on SNAP (ACS B22003)
- Senior & disability rates — SNAP use among households with 60+ or disabled members
- Working-poor share — % of SNAP households earning above poverty line
The national picture
All sources ↓SNAP households
15.0M
Estimated from receipt rate × total HH
Participation rate
11.8%
All households
Poverty coverage
42.9%
Below-poverty HH on SNAP
Senior SNAP use
38.5%
HH with a 60+ member
Disability SNAP use
47.5%
HH with a disability
Median household income
$79,722
Inflation-adjusted, 2023
Interactive map
Toggle between six SNAP metrics to see state-level variation. Click any state to open its county-level deep dive.
Loading national map…
Three stories the data tells
Widest coverage gaps
% of poor households NOT enrolled in SNAP
- 1 Maryland 66.2%
- 2 Hawaii 65.0%
- 3 Nevada 64.9%
- 4 Delaware 64.4%
- 5 Oregon 64.4%
Strongest poverty coverage
% of poor households enrolled in SNAP
- 1 Mississippi 57.0%
- 2 Kentucky 55.9%
- 3 Arkansas 54.6%
- 4 Wyoming 54.6%
- 5 North Dakota 52.1%
Highest overall SNAP use
% of all households receiving SNAP
- 1 New Mexico 18.7%
- 2 West Virginia 17.2%
- 3 Louisiana 16.6%
- 4 Oregon 15.4%
- 5 New York 15.0%
All 51 states ranked
Sortable comparison of every state and DC across the six SNAP metrics.
| State | SNAP rate | Coverage | Gap | Senior | Disability | Working-poor | Median income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 13.6% | 51.2% | 48.8% | 34.4% | 47.3% | 48.9% | $62,027 |
| Alaska | 10.2% | 36.2% | 63.8% | 35.0% | 48.8% | 63.8% | $89,336 |
| Arizona | 10.1% | 39.3% | 60.7% | 36.8% | 45.8% | 60.8% | $76,872 |
| Arkansas | 10.5% | 54.6% | 45.4% | 32.7% | 55.2% | 45.4% | $58,773 |
| California | 11.4% | 35.8% | 64.2% | 41.9% | 44.1% | 64.2% | $96,334 |
| Colorado | 8.0% | 37.7% | 62.3% | 36.9% | 46.6% | 62.3% | $92,470 |
| Connecticut | 11.7% | 41.8% | 58.2% | 43.4% | 49.8% | 58.2% | $93,760 |
| Delaware | 10.9% | 35.6% | 64.4% | 40.9% | 47.8% | 64.4% | $82,855 |
| District of Columbia | 13.2% | 48.8% | 51.2% | 36.5% | 46.8% | 51.1% | $106,287 |
| Florida | 12.6% | 36.7% | 63.3% | 46.4% | 44.2% | 63.3% | $71,711 |
| Georgia | 12.3% | 43.0% | 57.0% | 37.6% | 45.4% | 57.0% | $74,664 |
| Hawaii | 11.2% | 35.0% | 65.0% | 50.2% | 46.6% | 65.0% | $98,317 |
| Idaho | 7.8% | 40.4% | 59.6% | 33.9% | 51.7% | 59.6% | $74,636 |
| Illinois | 13.5% | 41.9% | 58.1% | 37.3% | 43.9% | 58.1% | $81,702 |
| Indiana | 9.0% | 49.6% | 50.4% | 30.6% | 50.3% | 50.4% | $70,051 |
| Iowa | 9.2% | 44.9% | 55.1% | 30.8% | 46.8% | 55.0% | $73,147 |
| Kansas | 7.0% | 51.3% | 48.7% | 31.4% | 52.9% | 48.6% | $72,639 |
| Kentucky | 12.7% | 55.9% | 44.1% | 32.2% | 54.0% | 44.1% | $62,417 |
| Louisiana | 16.6% | 51.4% | 48.6% | 33.3% | 45.5% | 48.6% | $60,023 |
| Maine | 11.8% | 44.7% | 55.3% | 42.6% | 57.5% | 55.3% | $71,773 |
| Maryland | 11.0% | 33.8% | 66.2% | 40.3% | 45.7% | 66.2% | $101,652 |
| Massachusetts | 13.8% | 39.0% | 61.0% | 43.7% | 50.3% | 61.0% | $101,341 |
| Michigan | 13.1% | 45.1% | 54.9% | 36.3% | 50.5% | 54.9% | $71,149 |
| Minnesota | 7.6% | 44.6% | 55.4% | 35.3% | 49.1% | 55.4% | $87,556 |
| Mississippi | 13.6% | 57.0% | 43.0% | 34.7% | 49.9% | 43.0% | $54,915 |
| Missouri | 9.9% | 50.3% | 49.7% | 33.6% | 53.6% | 49.7% | $68,920 |
| Montana | 8.3% | 45.4% | 54.6% | 37.1% | 51.7% | 54.6% | $69,922 |
| Nebraska | 8.0% | 47.2% | 52.8% | 32.1% | 48.9% | 52.8% | $74,985 |
| Nevada | 12.4% | 35.1% | 64.9% | 37.2% | 44.8% | 64.9% | $75,561 |
| New Hampshire | 6.0% | 43.4% | 56.6% | 39.4% | 53.9% | 56.6% | $95,628 |
| New Jersey | 8.8% | 42.1% | 57.9% | 44.1% | 44.2% | 57.9% | $101,050 |
| New Mexico | 18.7% | 47.3% | 52.7% | 35.0% | 46.7% | 52.7% | $62,125 |
| New York | 15.0% | 45.7% | 54.3% | 48.5% | 49.2% | 54.3% | $84,578 |
| North Carolina | 12.5% | 43.2% | 56.8% | 36.3% | 45.0% | 56.8% | $69,904 |
| North Dakota | 6.4% | 52.1% | 47.9% | 31.4% | 47.5% | 47.9% | $75,949 |
| Ohio | 12.4% | 50.6% | 49.4% | 36.4% | 51.2% | 49.4% | $69,680 |
| Oklahoma | 13.6% | 48.7% | 51.3% | 30.8% | 51.1% | 51.3% | $63,603 |
| Oregon | 15.4% | 35.6% | 64.4% | 39.3% | 50.6% | 64.4% | $80,426 |
| Pennsylvania | 14.0% | 42.6% | 57.4% | 41.4% | 52.2% | 57.4% | $76,081 |
| Rhode Island | 14.0% | 44.2% | 55.8% | 46.4% | 49.8% | 55.8% | $86,372 |
| South Carolina | 10.5% | 48.8% | 51.2% | 37.8% | 46.6% | 51.2% | $66,818 |
| South Dakota | 8.1% | 49.2% | 50.8% | 33.4% | 46.9% | 50.8% | $72,421 |
| Tennessee | 11.2% | 49.4% | 50.6% | 34.6% | 50.1% | 50.6% | $67,097 |
| Texas | 11.4% | 43.2% | 56.8% | 33.0% | 43.5% | 56.8% | $76,292 |
| Utah | 5.3% | 39.6% | 60.4% | 31.9% | 50.8% | 60.4% | $91,750 |
| Vermont | 10.5% | 41.4% | 58.6% | 44.8% | 57.4% | 58.6% | $78,024 |
| Virginia | 8.8% | 41.8% | 58.2% | 37.0% | 47.7% | 58.3% | $90,974 |
| Washington | 11.4% | 36.8% | 63.2% | 38.9% | 51.5% | 63.2% | $94,952 |
| West Virginia | 17.2% | 51.5% | 48.5% | 38.1% | 54.0% | 48.5% | $57,917 |
| Wisconsin | 10.8% | 41.0% | 59.0% | 34.8% | 45.3% | 59.0% | $75,670 |
| Wyoming | 5.0% | 54.6% | 45.4% | 30.6% | 49.3% | 45.4% | $74,815 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the SNAP coverage gap?
The SNAP coverage gap is the share of households below the poverty line who are not enrolled in SNAP. Nationally, the gap is 57.1% — meaning roughly six in ten poor households do not receive food stamps, even though most are income-eligible.
How many Americans receive SNAP?
Approximately 15,008,569 U.S. households — about 11.8% of all households — receive SNAP benefits, based on the Census Bureau's American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-year estimates.
What share of SNAP households have working-poor earners?
Nationally, 57.1% of SNAP households report income above the poverty line — meaning they are working but still earn too little to meet basic food needs without assistance. SNAP is not purely a "poor household" program; it is heavily used by the working poor.
Which states have the widest SNAP coverage gaps?
The five states with the highest share of poor households not enrolled in SNAP are: Maryland (66.2%), Hawaii (65.0%), Nevada (64.9%), Delaware (64.4%), Oregon (64.4%).
Where does this data come from?
All metrics are drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2019-2023). Specifically: Subject Table S2201 (SNAP receipt by household characteristics), Detailed Table B22003 (SNAP × poverty crosstab), Subject Table S1901 (household income), and Table B01003 (total population). Data are accurate as of the ACS release in late 2024.
Explore your state
Every state page includes an interactive county-level choropleth across all six SNAP metrics plus a ranked county comparison table.
Methodology
Last reviewed April 2026
This report measures SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) enrollment
and coverage at the county level for all 3,144 U.S. counties, plus aggregate
totals for every state and the nation. Every metric is sourced from the
U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates. No
numbers are entered manually — the entire dataset is regenerated by running the
ETL pipeline at scripts/snap-benefits/build-counties.mjs.
Key terms
- SNAP receipt rate
- The percentage of all households that received SNAP benefits in the prior 12 months. Measured universe: all households with reported SNAP status in ACS S2201.
- Poverty coverage rate
- The percentage of households below the federal poverty line that received SNAP benefits in the prior 12 months. This is the denominator that matters for "take-up" — it answers "of those most likely eligible, how many are enrolled?"
- Poverty coverage gap
- 1 − poverty coverage rate. The percentage of below-poverty households not receiving SNAP. This is the headline policy metric; a high gap indicates large unmet need among people income-eligible for the program.
- Senior participation rate
- Percentage of households with at least one member aged 60+ that receive SNAP. ACS S2201_C04_002E reports this within the senior-household sub-population (not as a share of all SNAP households).
- Disability participation rate
- Percentage of households with at least one member reporting a disability that receive SNAP. ACS S2201_C04_023E.
- Working-poor share
- Of all SNAP-receiving households, the share whose income is above the federal poverty line. Computed from B22003: B22003_004E / (B22003_003E + B22003_004E). A high share indicates SNAP is functioning as a working-poor wage supplement, not only a support for extreme poverty.
ACS variables used
| Variable | Source table | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| S2201_C01_001E | S2201 (Subject) | Total households (universe) |
| S2201_C04_001E | S2201 (Subject) | SNAP receipt rate |
| S2201_C04_002E | S2201 (Subject) | Senior (60+) participation rate |
| S2201_C04_023E | S2201 (Subject) | Disability participation rate |
| B22003_002E | B22003 (Detail) | SNAP HH total (crosstab) |
| B22003_003E | B22003 (Detail) | SNAP HH below poverty |
| B22003_004E | B22003 (Detail) | SNAP HH above poverty (working-poor numerator) |
| B22003_005E | B22003 (Detail) | Non-SNAP HH total |
| B22003_006E | B22003 (Detail) | Non-SNAP HH below poverty |
| S1901_C01_012E | S1901 (Subject) | Median household income |
| B01003_001E | B01003 (Detail) | Total population |
All variables come from the ACS 5-year estimates, vintage 2019-2023 (released December 2024). Counties are identified by 5-digit FIPS codes (2-digit state + 3-digit county).
How state and national aggregates are computed
County data cannot simply be summed to produce state or national rates — rates are already ratios, and small-population counties would over-count. Instead:
- State aggregates are fetched directly from the ACS at the state level. This avoids summing-error from county rate ratios and matches what CBPP, USDA FNS, and the Census Bureau's own summary tables publish.
- National aggregates are computed as household-weighted averages of state aggregates, using each state's total households as the weight. This prevents rural small-population states from being over-weighted.
- SNAP household counts are derived as
total_households × receipt_ratebecause the raw ACS fieldS2201_C02_001Eis uniformly suppressed at the county level.
Handling ACS data suppression
The ACS suppresses estimates that fall below publishing thresholds (typically due
to small sample sizes or statistical unreliability). These appear in the API as
sentinel values like -888888888
or -666666666. Our
pipeline treats all sentinels as null
and propagates nulls through downstream computations — no imputation, no
interpolation, no invented values. A small number of very-low-population counties
(Alaska boroughs, Hawaii, some plains counties) display "—" for one or more
metrics as a result.
Limitations
- 5-year averaging smooths recency. The 2019-2023 ACS blends five annual surveys. Benefit-level changes enacted in 2023 or 2024 (emergency allotments, SNAP Farm Bill adjustments) are not fully reflected.
- Self-reported SNAP receipt. ACS asks households directly. It does not reconcile against USDA FNS administrative records, and typically runs 10-15% below FNS enrollment counts. This is a known and documented undercount.
- "Eligible but not enrolled" is an approximation. Our coverage gap uses below-poverty status as a proxy for SNAP eligibility. Actual eligibility rules factor in gross income (130% FPL), net income (100% FPL), asset limits, and categorical rules. The gap is directionally correct but should not be read as a literal take-up rate.
- Territories excluded. Puerto Rico uses the Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) rather than SNAP; Guam, USVI, American Samoa, and CNMI also use distinct programs or ACS vintages. This report covers the 50 states + DC only.
Reproducibility
The entire report is driven by one pipeline script:
scripts/snap-benefits/build-counties.mjs.
It fetches the Census ACS API, computes county metrics, rolls them up to states
and the nation, and emits JSON files in
src/data/snap-benefits/.
Re-running the pipeline against a new ACS vintage regenerates every page on the site.
Pipeline metadata — including the dataset vintage, build timestamp, and version — is embedded in every emitted JSON file and surfaced on the report's index page.
Sources & bibliography
5 primary sources · AMA format
Every statistic in the SNAP Benefits report cites back to one of the sources below. AMA citation format is used throughout. Entries are grouped by publishing organization.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
-
SNAP Data Tables
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. SNAP Data Tables. USDA FNS; 2025. Accessed 2026-04-19. https://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap
-
SNAP Program Data — Participation, Costs, and Benefits (FY2024)
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Data Tables. USDA FNS; 2025. Accessed 2026-04-19. https://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap
U.S. Census Bureau
-
American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2019-2023 (county subject tables)
U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2019-2023 (Subject Tables S1701, S1901, S2201). U.S. Census Bureau; 2024. Accessed 2026-04-20. https://api.census.gov/data/2023/acs/acs5/subject
-
American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2019-2023 (SNAP receipt tables)
U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2019-2023 (Subject Table S2201, Detailed Table B22003). U.S. Census Bureau; 2024. Accessed 2026-04-19. https://api.census.gov/data/2023/acs/acs5
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
-
A Closer Look at Who Benefits from SNAP: State-by-State Fact Sheets
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. A Closer Look at Who Benefits from SNAP: State-by-State Fact Sheets. CBPP; 2024. Accessed 2026-04-19. https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/a-closer-look-at-who-benefits-from-snap-state-by-state-fact-sheets
Reuse & citation
This report is published under a CC BY 4.0 license. You are welcome to reuse the statistics, charts, and maps with attribution. Suggested citation:
PantryPath Research. SNAP Benefits in America: Coverage, Gaps, and the Working Poor. PantryPath; 2026. Accessed [date]. https://pantrypath.com/research/snap-benefits/