Signature · 14.6% SNAP (98th pct in IN)

Blackford County, IN

Blackford County stands out on SNAP (14.6%, +2.5 pts vs U.S.) with 15.2% low-access from USDA FARA 2019.

15.2%
low-access pop.
1
food-desert tracts
14.6%
on SNAP
12K
residents (ACS 2024)
USDA FARA 2019 Census ACS 2024 IN

USDA FARA access plate

County Blackford County, IN

LA-MODERATE · BELOW-NATIONAL · LILA-SINGLE · SNAP-HEAVY · VEH-GAP · DENSITY-DENSE

  • LA-MODERATE 15.2% low-access
  • BELOW-NATIONAL -6.9 pts vs US
  • LILA-SINGLE 1 food-desert tract
  • SNAP-HEAVY 14.6% SNAP
  • VEH-GAP 9.5% no vehicle
  • DENSITY-DENSE 25% tracts LILA

Nearest low-access peer: Marshall County ( -0.3 pts)

The food-access picture

According to the USDA Food Access Research Atlas, Blackford County ranks #2,101 of 3,079 U.S. counties by low-access share and #52 of 89 counties in IN (15.2% low-access; 1 food-desert tracts).

#2,101
national by low-access %
#52
in IN
1
low-access tracts
963
food-desert residents

Low access = living more than 1 mile (urban) or 10 miles (rural) from the nearest supermarket. Food deserts add a low-income condition (USDA LILA).

Signature read: 14.6% SNAP (98th pct in IN) (+2.5 pts vs U.S. SNAP) .

How Blackford County compares nationally

Blackford County lands in the middle of the national distribution: a 15.2% low-access share that beats 33% of the 3,133 U.S. counties with USDA data (rank #2,113).

lower low-accesshigher low-access

Blackford County: USDA Food-Access Tier Breakdown

4 census tracts grouped by USDA classification · 1 LILA.

Food access tier distribution for Blackford County, IN USDA-defined food-access tiers: 3 census tracts adequate (within distance threshold), 0 limited, 1 severe (low-income low-access food desert). Total 4 tracts evaluated. 3 tracts adequate (75.0%) 1 tracts severe / food desert (25.0%) Adequate 75% Limited 0% Severe 25% Food-access tier distribution: Blackford County, IN
Source: USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas 2019

By USDA urbanicity classification, Blackford County has 2 urban and 2 rural census tracts. The 1-mile (urban) vs 10-mile (rural) distance threshold above applies per tract, so a county's access rate reflects this mix.

Blackford County low-access neighbourhood

Poles + nearest peers in Indiana, not a full county-board reprint

% low-access
Source USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas As of 2019 edition

Food Access (USDA FARA 2019)

USDA Food Access Research Atlas 2019 indicators for Blackford County
IndicatorValue
Census Tracts4
Atlas Population (2010 basis)12,766
Low-Access Tracts1
Food-Desert Tracts (low-income & low-access)1
Low-Access Population1,936
Low-Access Share15.2%below the national average
Low-Income & Low-Access Population963

ACS 2024 · elevated SNAP band

Census ACS 2024 demographic and SNAP data for Blackford County
IndicatorValue
Population11,950
Median Household Income$51,326
Poverty Rate16.2%above the national average
SNAP Households754
SNAP Participation Rate14.6%above the national average
Households Without a Vehicle9.5%above the national average
Group-Quarters Population1.2%

SNAP retailers in Blackford County

Blackford County has 15 stores currently authorized to accept SNAP (EBT) benefits, across 5 store categories. Convenience Store lead with 6 locations (40% of the total), followed by combination grocery/other.

Convenience Store · 6

  • bk1313 inc, hartford city
  • casey's 2288, hartford city
  • clark quick stop, montpelier
  • hartford foodmart inc, hartford city
  • marathon quickmart, hartford city
  • speedway 8068, montpelier

Combination Grocery/Other · 5

  • cvs 6622, hartford city
  • dollar general 18696, hartford city
  • dollar general 2157, montpelier
  • dollar general 2795, hartford city
  • dollartree 9062, hartford city

Super Store · 2

  • needler's fresh market 925, hartford city
  • save a lot 23405, hartford city

Meat/Poultry Specialty · 1

  • hartford city meat & deli llc, hartford city

Medium Grocery Store · 1

  • ekm supermarket inc, montpelier

Source: USDA SNAP Retailer Locator (currently authorized stores, a live third population, not the 2019 Atlas or ACS 2024 snapshot above).

Other Counties in Indiana

One of 91 counties in Indiana, 6 are shown here.

Compare Blackford County vs Adams County → · All Indiana counties →

Nationwide peers for Blackford County's low-access or SNAP share

SNAP-led peer set first for Blackford County (14.6%), with low-access neighbours deduped against it, both outside Indiana.

Similar low-access share

Nearest low-access rates outside IN (15.2% here).

Similar SNAP participation

Nearest household SNAP rates outside IN (14.6% here).

Source: USDA Food Access Research Atlas (2019) + Census ACS 2024 SNAP. Peers floor at 10,000 residents so stub counties cannot own the match.

Food access nationally, Indiana in context

Blackford County sits inside Indiana (ringed). Each state is colored by population-weighted low-access; click any state to compare.

USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas (2019), population-weighted · Census ACS 2024 context

Read with this county

Sources: USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas (2019) · U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2024 5-Year Estimates · methodology · compiled .

PlainFoodAccess renders this county profile directly from the USDA Food Access Research Atlas (2019) and U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (2024 5-year estimates), no number is typed in by an editor. Figures for Blackford County, IN are computed from the joined Atlas and ACS records for FIPS 18009. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-06-23. Primary sources: USDA Food Access Research Atlas and Census ACS 5-year estimates.

Note: This page presents public USDA and Census data for informational purposes and is not professional advice. Figures reflect the cited dataset vintages and may differ from the most recent local conditions. How this data is sourced & verified.