KIDS COUNT Data Feature: Stagnant Economy Boosts Food Stamp Usage

by | November 26, 2012

Home 9 WisKids Count 9 KIDS COUNT Data Feature: Stagnant Economy Boosts Food Stamp Usage ( Page 12 )

The number of people relying on food stamps has jumped in Wisconsin, thanks to the recession and a stubbornly high unemployment rate.

In 2011, one out of every seven Wisconsin residents received food stamps, or FoodShare. That’s a big increase from 2005, when one out of every 15 residents received food stamps. Children make up just under half of all the people receiving food stamps in Wisconsin.

Food stamp usage became more prevalent across the entire state between 2005 and 2011, as shown on the map below. (If you are getting this post via email, you will have to go to the blog in order for the map to fuully function.) By shifting the slider to show different years, you can see that food stamp usage increases in nearly every county in Wisconsin. In Milwaukee County, food stamp usage increased by 55% over this period, the smallest percentage increase of any county. In St. Croix County, a relatively affluent county, the number of people benefitting from food stamps increased by 158 percent between 2005 and 2011.

Tamarine Cornelius

Food Stamp Usage in WisconsinPer 1,000 residents
Kids Forward
Kids Forward

Join us to build a Wisconsin where every child and family thrives.

Donate Now

Recent

Our Take: The Wisconsin 2023-25 Biennial Budget

Our Take: The Wisconsin 2023-25 Biennial Budget

by | Jul 24, 2023

We appreciate Governor Evers being a stop gap for some of the most egregious proposals from the Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee (JFC). But, if we want to actually address Wisconsin’s racial disparities, we have a lot more work to do.

Proposed Tax Cut Privileges Wealthiest 1%, Leaves Struggling Families Behind

Proposed Tax Cut Privileges Wealthiest 1%, Leaves Struggling Families Behind

by | Jun 29, 2023

Wisconsin can be a place where we all—regardless of race or place—have what we need to make ends meet. However, last week the Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee voted for a tax cut that would aid in gutting supports for families. Letting Wisconsin’s wealthiest off the hook from paying what they owe means many struggling families are left behind, particularly children and families of color and those furthest from opportunity. We are calling on Governor Evers to stand up for everyday families and veto this tax cut for the wealthy few.

Sign up for Emails

Your address helps us identify your legislators and the most relevant messages to send you.