Food insecurity in LA County remains well above national average, despite slight decline
Key points:
- USC Dornsife researchers found that in October 2024, 1 in 4 L.A. County households — about 832,000 — experienced food insecurity. Among low-income residents, the rate is 41%.
- While the rate of food insecure households has dropped to 25% — a 5% decline from 2023 — it’s still well above pre-pandemic levels and the national average of 14%.
- The number of Angelenos who experienced nutrition insecurity in 2024 was even higher, at 29% of households lacking nutritious food options.
Despite a modest 5% improvement since 2023, food insecurity in L.A. County remains alarmingly high — well above the national average and L.A.’s pre-pandemic level. A USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences study found that as of October 2024, 25% of L.A. County households — about 832,000 — struggle with food insecurity. By comparison, the national average is just 14%. Among low-income households in L.A. County, 41% experienced food insecurity in 2024, compared to 27% pre-pandemic.
“The high cost of living and food, coupled with cuts to assistance programs – persistent challenges for Angelenos – continue to fuel the crisis,” said Kayla de la Haye, lead author of the study and director of the Institute for Food System Equity at USC Dornsife’s Center for Economic and Social Research.
The study, spearheaded by USC Dornsife’s Public Exchange, also highlights relentlessly high rates of nutrition insecurity — characterized by limited access to healthy foods — which affects 29% of residents. Asian communities were disproportionately impacted, experiencing higher rates than other racial and ethnic groups.