Skip to main content
Data Visualization
SNAP Household Characteristics Dashboard

This dashboard describes the economic and demographic characteristics of households participating in SNAP by state and over time, as well as SNAP participation rates by state and by household characteristic.

06/13/2025
Resource | Research and Data | Participation Characteristics Characteristics of SNAP Households: FY 2011

This report describes the characteristics of SNAP households and participants nationwide in fiscal year 2011 (October 2010 through September 2011). It also presents an overview of SNAP eligibility requirements and benefit levels in fiscal year 2011.

11/20/2012
Resource | Research and Data | Participation Characteristics Characteristics of SNAP Households: FY 2008

This report provides information about the demographic and economic circumstances of SNAP households in fiscal year 2008. 

11/05/2009
Resource | Research and Data Characteristics of SNAP Households: Fiscal Year 2023

We release annual reports describing the persons and households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This report uses the fiscal year 2023 SNAP Quality Control data to examine the demographic characteristics and economic circumstances of SNAP households at the national and state level.

05/02/2025
Basic page Report Series - Characteristics of SNAP Households

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nutrition assistance to eligible, low-income individuals and households. SNAP is the largest domestic nutrition assistance program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service.

05/02/2025
Resource | Research and Data | Assessing/Improving Operations School Food Purchase Study-III: Nutritional Characteristics of School Food Acquisitions

The most recent School Food Purchase Study provides national estimates of the types, amounts, and costs of foods acquired by public school districts participating in the National School Lunch Program during school year 2009/10. It also includes a comprehensive analysis of the nutritional characteristics of foods acquired by these school districts. This report presents findings about the calories, nutrients, and food groups available for use in school meals and other school food programs, including a la carte foods, and the extent to which school food acquisitions are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and associated food guidance system.

07/01/2012
Resource | Research and Data | Promoting Healthy Eating Characteristics and Dietary Patterns of Healthy and Less-Healthy Eaters in the Low-Income Population

The diets of most Americans fall short of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This exploratory analysis examines dietary patterns of low-income individuals classified as healthy and less healthy eaters based on their score on the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2005. The HEI-2005 is a 100-point score that measures how well populations adhere to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 

02/01/2012
Resource | Research and Data | Assessing/Improving Operations School Food Purchase Study III

This is the third study that provides national estimates of the type, quantity, dollar value and unit price of food acquisitions by public school districts participating in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. The study examines the overall changes in the composition of the entire school food market basket including foods purchases for a la carte sales and the relative importance of donated USDA Foods. It also provides insight into the relationship between district characteristics, purchasing practices, and food costs.

04/10/2012
Resource | Research and Data | Payment Accuracy and Program Integrity Modeling of High-Risk Indicators of Certification Error in the National School Lunch Program

The Access, Participation, Eligibility, and Certification study found that one in five children certified for free or reduced- price meals in school year 2005-2006 was erroneously certified or incorrectly denied benefits. This study builds on APEC with three objectives: Develop an econometric model to identify indicators of local education authorities with high risk of certification error. Identify the key relationships between certification error and local characteristics. Provide a Web-based monitoring tool that will apply model parameters to annual Verification Summary Report data.

04/19/2012
Page updated: September 16, 2025