The national average of public school students eligible for free lunch is approximately 50% (2026-27).
The state with highest average of public school students eligible for free lunch is New Mexico with 85%. The state with lowest average of public school students eligible for free lunch is New Hampshire with 20%.
Free Lunch Range: 20%
85%
Avg. Free Lunch: 50%
Free Lunch Eligibility Trends
| Year | National Average |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 49.6% |
| 2024 | 46% |
| 2023 | 48.3% |
| 2022 | 46.4% |
| 2021 | 47.3% |
| 2020 | 47% |
| 2019 | 47% |
| 2018 | 41.7% |
| 2017 | 41.7% |
| 2016 | 43.3% |
| 2015 | 44% |
| 2014 | 45% |
| 2013 | 44.4% |
| 2012 | 36.9% |
| 2011 | 41.4% |
| 2010 | 38.5% |
| 2009 | 36.3% |
| 2008 | 33.5% |
| 2007 | 33.5% |
| 2006 | 32.7% |
| 2005 | 29.5% |
| 2004 | 28.7% |
| 2003 | 28.3% |
| 2002 | 28.8% |
| 2001 | 27.2% |
| 2000 | 27.2% |
| 1999 | 26.6% |
| 1998 | 28.8% |
| 1997 | 29% |
| 1996 | 25.3% |
| 1995 | 25.2% |
| 1994 | 24.5% |
| 1993 | 22.6% |
| 1992 | 21.2% |
| 1991 | 9.9% |
| 1990 | 9.6% |
| 1989 | 7.9% |
Average Percent of Public School Students Eligible For Free Lunch (2026-27)
State
Percent of Students Eligible For Free Lunch
Schools With Largest Percent of Students Eligible for Free Lunch
Rank: #11.
85%
Rank: #22.
81%
Rank: #33.
72%
Rank: #4-54-5.
67%
Rank: #4-54-5.
67%
Rank: #66.
63%
Rank: #77.
61%
Rank: #88.
59%
Rank: #99.
57%
Rank: #1010.
56%
Rank: #11-1211-12.
55%
Rank: #11-1211-12.
55%
Rank: #13-1413-14.
54%
Rank: #13-1413-14.
54%
Rank: #1515.
53%
Rank: #16-1816-18.
50%
Rank: #16-1816-18.
50%
Rank: #16-1816-18.
50%
Rank: #19-2019-20.
49%
Rank: #19-2019-20.
49%
Rank: #2121.
46%
Rank: #22-2422-24.
45%
Rank: #22-2422-24.
45%
Rank: #22-2422-24.
45%
Rank: #25-2625-26.
43%
Rank: #25-2625-26.
43%
Rank: #27-2927-29.
42%
Rank: #27-2927-29.
42%
Rank: #27-2927-29.
42%
Rank: #30-3130-31.
41%
Rank: #30-3130-31.
41%
Rank: #32-3532-35.
39%
Rank: #32-3532-35.
39%
Rank: #32-3532-35.
39%
Rank: #32-3532-35.
39%
Rank: #36-3736-37.
38%
Rank: #36-3736-37.
38%
Rank: #38-3938-39.
37%
Rank: #38-3938-39.
37%
Rank: #4040.
36%
Rank: #41-4241-42.
35%
Rank: #41-4241-42.
35%
Rank: #43-4643-46.
34%
Rank: #43-4643-46.
34%
Rank: #43-4643-46.
34%
Rank: #43-4643-46.
34%
Rank: #4747.
33%
Rank: #4848.
32%
Rank: #4949.
27%
Rank: #5050.
23%
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the national average of public school students eligible for free lunch?
The national average of public school students eligible for free lunch is 50% for 2026-27.
What are schools with the highest average of public school students eligible for free lunch in the United States?
The schools with the highest average of public school students eligible for free lunch in the United States include Jumoke Academy, Providence Preparatory Charter and Honaunau Elementary School.
What is the state with the highest average of public school students eligible for free lunch?
The state with the highest average of public school students eligible for free lunch is New Mexico.
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