What are some characteristics of food stamp households?
Based on a study of data gathered in Fiscal Year 2005: 50 percent of all participants are children (18 or younger), and 65 percent of them live in single-parent households. 54 percent of food stamp households include children. 8 percent of all participants are elderly (age 60 or over). 77 percent of all benefits go to households with children, 16 percent go to households with disabled persons, and 9 percent go to households with elderly persons. 34 percent of households with children were headed by a single parent, the overwhelming majority of whom were women. The average household size is 2.3 persons. The average gross monthly income per food stamp household is $648. 46 percent of participants are white; 31 percent are African-American, non-Hispanic; 13 percent are Hispanic; 2 percent are Asian, 1 percent are Native American, and 7 percent are of unknown race or ethnicity.
Food stamp statistics for South Dakota as of April 2008: • Almost half of all participants are children (under age 18). • 69 percent of food stamp recipients are children, elderly and disabled persons. • 6.7 percent of all participants are elderly (age 60 or over). • The average food stamp household size is 2 persons. • Among adult participants, 57 percent are women and 43 percent are men. • 62.6 percent of participants are white; 38.5 percent are Native American; 3.6 percent are in the other category. (The total exceeds 100 percent due to people claiming multiple races.
