Listed below are counties with the highest average of public school students eligible for free lunch (2026-27).
The county with highest average of public school students eligible for free lunch is Nevada County, AR with 100%.
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% |
Highest Average Percent of Public School Students Eligible For Free Lunch By County (2026-27)
County
Percent of Students Eligible For Free Lunch
Schools With Largest Percent of Students Eligible for Free Lunch
Rank: #1-201-20.
100%
Rank: #1-201-20.
100%
Rank: #1-201-20.
100%
Rank: #1-201-20.
100%
Rank: #1-201-20.
100%
Rank: #1-201-20.
100%
Rank: #1-201-20.
100%
Rank: #1-201-20.
100%
Rank: #1-201-20.
100%
Rank: #1-201-20.
100%
Rank: #1-201-20.
100%
Rank: #1-201-20.
100%
Rank: #1-201-20.
100%
Rank: #1-201-20.
100%
Rank: #1-201-20.
100%
Rank: #1-201-20.
100%
Rank: #1-201-20.
100%
Rank: #1-201-20.
100%
Rank: #1-201-20.
100%
Frequently Asked Questions
What counties have the public schools with the highest percent of students eligible for free lunch?
The counties with the highest percent of students eligible for free lunch are Nevada County, AR (100% average percent of students eligible for free lunch), Alexander County, IL (100% average percent of students eligible for free lunch) and Dorchester County, MD (100% average percent of students eligible for free lunch).
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