Number of the Week
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NUMBER OF THE WEEK | Duval’s hungry children

By Megan Mallicoat
Published on February 21, 2025 at 10:54 am
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As the state Legislature prepares to debate this year’s budget and proposed bills, here’s one issue that’s a constant threat to many in our community: hunger. Our Number of the Week is 23%, the portion of children in Duval County who don’t have consistent, reliable access to food.

23%

A study out this week from the Florida Policy Institute ranks counties according to a handful of factors that contribute to a child’s overall well being, including food insecurity, economic well being and education. Duval ranks 44th out of 67 counties in the statewide index. St. Johns County ranks No. 1.

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According to U.S. Census data, Jacksonville’s poverty rate exceeds both the state and national averages. Duval County’s rate is 14.5% today.

author image Reporter email Megan Mallicoat is a Jacksonville Today reporter focusing on education. Her professional experience includes teaching at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, as well as editing, communications management, web design, and graphic design. She has a doctorate in mass communication with an emphasis in social psychology from UF. In her "free time," you'll most likely find her on the sidelines of some kind of kids’ sports practice, holding a book.

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