November 12, 2025
Even with their benefits intact, SNAP recipients in Baltimore City and County are at a much higher risk of going hungry than other residents in the region. This data report examines the relationship between SNAP benefit receipt and food insecurity in the Baltimore area using data from the 2024 Baltimore Area Survey.
Other Key Findings for Baltimore city and county:
- Two in 10 Baltimore-area residents receive SNAP benefits. Three in 10 Baltimore city residents receive SNAP benefits, while one in 10 county residents receive SNAP benefits.
- In the Baltimore area, SNAP recipients are at higher risk of going hungry: About two-thirds are food insecure, compared to less than 20% of residents who do not receive SNAP. Nearly half (46%) have very low food security, meaning they are at high risk of experiencing hunger, compared to roughly 10% of residents who do not receive SNAP.
- A larger share of SNAP recipients in Baltimore County are at risk of going hungry than those in Baltimore City. Food can be more expensive in the suburbs, grocery stores can be harder to access due to transportation issues, and charities are less dense in the county.
- About one in four households with children receive SNAP benefits.