PlainFoodAccess

County food-access profile · Missouri

Boone County, MO

Distance to a supermarket is a real obstacle for a meaningful share of Boone County residents. This profile covers who qualifies as a food desert here and the income, SNAP, and vehicle-access context behind it, from the USDA Food Access Research Atlas (2019) and the Census ACS (2024).

34.4%
low-access pop.
5
food-desert tracts
6.6%
on SNAP
188K
residents (ACS 2024)
USDA FARA 2019 Census ACS 2024 MO

The food-access picture

34.4% of Boone County residents live in a low-access area, and 5 of its 29 census tracts are USDA-designated food deserts.

17
low-access tracts
16K
food-desert residents
5.9%
households, no vehicle
16.6%
below poverty line

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, 1-and-10-mile measure).

USDA data puts Boone County's low-access share at 34.4%, above the national share. 17 of the county's 29 census tracts are classified low-access, meaning residents there live far from a supermarket, an area covering about 55,952 people. 5 of those also meet the low-income condition that defines a food desert, home to roughly 16,245 low-income residents.

How the USDA defines low-access and food-desert tracts

The USDA measures food access by distance to the nearest supermarket. A census tract is "low-access" when a meaningful share of residents live more than one mile from a supermarket in urban areas, or more than ten miles in rural areas. A tract becomes a "food desert" only when it is both low-access and low-income, because distance is far harder to overcome for households without a car or a cushion in the budget. Counts on this page are aggregated from the tract level, where the federal data is actually published, so a single county figure can hide neighbourhoods that are much better or much worse served than the average. Distance also does not capture everything that shapes whether a family eats well: the presence of a full-service grocer rather than a convenience store, public transit, food pantries, and the price and quality of what is on the shelf all matter beyond the radius the Atlas can draw.

How Boone County compares nationally

Relative to the 3,133 U.S. counties with USDA food-access data, Boone County's 34.4% low-access share is elevated, higher than 79% of them and ranked #646 most-affected nationwide.

lower low-accesshigher low-access

Boone County: USDA Food-Access Tier Breakdown

All 29 census tracts in Boone County, grouped by USDA classification (see "How the USDA defines low-access and food-desert tracts" above for what each tier means).

Food access tier distribution for Boone County, MO USDA-defined food-access tiers: 12 census tracts adequate (within distance threshold), 12 limited, 5 severe (low-income low-access food desert). Total 29 tracts evaluated. 12 tracts adequate (41.4%) 12 tracts limited (41.4%) 5 tracts severe / food desert (17.2%) Adequate 41% Limited 41% Severe 17% Food-access tier distribution: Boone County, MO
Source: USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas 2019

Boone County vs. other Missouri counties

Share of the population living in low-access areas, compared with other counties in Missouri

% 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 Boone County
IndicatorValue
Census Tracts29
Atlas Population (2010 basis)162,642
Low-Access Tracts17
Food-Desert Tracts (low-income & low-access)5
Low-Access Population55,952
Low-Access Share34.4%well above the national average
Low-Income & Low-Access Population16,245

Demographics & Assistance (Census ACS 2024)

Census ACS 2024 demographic and SNAP data for Boone County
IndicatorValue
Population188,043
Median Household Income$72,758
Poverty Rate16.6%above the national average
SNAP Households5,088
SNAP Participation Rate6.6%well below the national average
Households Without a Vehicle5.9%below the national average
Group-Quarters Population5.3%
SNAP participation in Boone County 6.6%

About 6.6% of Boone County households receive SNAP, versus a U.S. county median in the 11–13% range (Census ACS).

What this means

  • 34.4% of residents are low-access, above the national share for U.S. counties.
  • 6.6% of households receive SNAP, the federal program that offsets food costs for 5,088 households here.
  • 5.9% of households have no vehicle, the hidden multiplier that turns distance into a real barrier.
  • 5 tracts meet the USDA food-desert threshold (low-income and low-access).

USDA low-access figures reflect the 2019 Atlas (2010 tract populations); socioeconomic context is the latest Census ACS 5-year (2024).

What the food-access data shows for Boone County

above the national share

5 of Boone County's 29 census tracts are USDA-designated food deserts, low-income areas where many residents also live far from a supermarket, about 17.2% of all its tracts.

A further 12 tracts are low-access but not low-income, bringing the total low-access tract count to 17.

An estimated 55,952 residents, roughly 34.4% of the county's 2010 population, live in one of these low-access areas.

Of those, 16,245 are also low-income, the group most exposed to genuine food hardship, since limited transportation compounds a limited budget.

The remaining 12 tracts (41.4%) meet the USDA's adequate-access threshold.

SNAP retailers in Boone County

Boone County has 113 stores currently authorized to accept SNAP (EBT) benefits, across 8 store categories. Convenience Store lead with 55 locations (49% of the total), followed by combination grocery/other.

Convenience Store · 55

  • break time 3021, columbia
  • break time 3166, columbia
  • break time 3168, columbia
  • break time 3169, ashland
  • break time 3174, columbia
  • break time 3176, columbia
  • break time convenience 3001, columbia
  • break time convenience 3003, columbia
  • break time convenience 3012, centralia
  • break time convenience 3016, columbia
  • break time convenience 3019, columbia
  • break time convenience 3024, columbia
  • break time convenience 3025, columbia
  • break time convenience 3028, columbia
  • break time convenience 3092, ashland
  • break time convenience 3112, columbia
  • break time convenience 3114, columbia
  • break time convenience 3115, columbia
  • break time convenience 3122, columbia
  • break time convenience 3138, columbia
  • break time convenience 3160, columbia
  • casey's 2070, columbia
  • casey's 1004, columbia
  • casey's 1021, ashland
  • casey's 1064, sturgeon
  • casey's 1073, hallsville
  • casey's 1387, centralia
  • casey's 1620, columbia
  • casey's general store 2171, columbia
  • centralia eagle stop 32, centralia
  • essentialz, columbia
  • fastlane ashland 58, ashland
  • fastlane paris road 55, columbia
  • fastlane west blvd 56, columbia
  • hitt mini mart, columbia
  • hy-vee c-store 1082, columbia
  • hy-vee gas 1081, columbia
  • i-70 eagle stop 10, columbia
  • maa jogmaya llc, columbia
  • midway little general, columbia
  • midway truck stop convenience store, columbia
  • midwest petroleum 85, columbia
  • midwest petroleum 93, columbia
  • midwest petroleum 94, columbia
  • quiktrip 661, columbia
  • rocket 4241, columbia
  • rocket 4242, columbia
  • rocket 4243, columbia
  • rocket 4244, columbia
  • rocket 4246, columbia
  • rocket 4247, columbia
  • rocket 4248, columbia
  • rocket 4249, columbia
  • steve os, columbia
  • tiger stop, columbia

Combination Grocery/Other · 22

  • clovers natural market, columbia
  • dollar general 18912, harrisburg
  • dollar general 10546, ashland
  • dollar general 16184, sturgeon
  • dollar general 1711, columbia
  • dollar general 20181, columbia
  • dollar general 21079, columbia
  • dollar general 22017, columbia
  • dollar general 22444, columbia
  • dollar general 23369, columbia
  • dollar general 2972, centralia
  • dollar general 4338, columbia
  • dollar general 6202, hallsville
  • dollar tree 3311, columbia
  • dollar tree 3777, columbia
  • dollar tree 8520, columbia
  • dollar tree 907, columbia
  • family dollar 13394, centralia
  • sai market llc, columbia
  • shwe market llc, columbia
  • walgreens 05146, columbia
  • walgreens 5145, columbia

Super Store · 17

  • gerbes 124, columbia
  • gerbes 125, columbia
  • hy-vee 1082, columbia
  • hy-vee food & drugstore 1081, columbia
  • hy-vee food store 1076, columbia
  • moser's foods - m5, ashland
  • moser's foods - m7, columbia
  • moser's foods - m9, columbia
  • prenger foods, centralia
  • sam's club 8163, columbia
  • schnucks 307, columbia
  • schnucks 714, columbia
  • schnucks 715, columbia
  • target stores t- 0239, columbia
  • walmart sc 159, columbia
  • walmart sc 451, columbia
  • walmart sc 80, columbia

Medium Grocery Store · 9

  • a & y global market inc, columbia
  • african market llc 1, columbia
  • beracah llc 1, columbia
  • clovers natural market, columbia
  • iyumva international market, columbia
  • kabul market llc, columbia
  • lee's oriental market, columbia
  • los cuates grocery store, columbia
  • prenger foods 0057, sturgeon

Supermarket · 6

  • aldi 41070, columbia
  • aldi 41084, columbia
  • aldi 41086, columbia
  • moser's foods - m4, columbia
  • natural grocers by vitamin cottage u050, columbia
  • trader joe's columbia 808, columbia

Large Grocery Store · 2

  • hong kong market, columbia
  • prenger foods 0052, hallsville

Farmers' Market · 1

  • columbia farmers market, columbia

Meat/Poultry Specialty · 1

  • sturgeon family meat market, sturgeon

Source: USDA SNAP Retailer Locator, currently authorized retailers.

Other Counties in Missouri

Adair County
27.3% low-access · 9.0% SNAP
Andrew County
15.8% low-access · 4.9% SNAP
Atchison County
5.1% low-access · 5.8% SNAP
Audrain County
22.6% low-access · 12.3% SNAP
Barry County
19.7% low-access · 11.0% SNAP
Barton County
56.5% low-access · 18.5% SNAP

Compare Boone County vs Adair County → · All Missouri counties →

Food access nationally, Missouri in context

Boone County sits inside Missouri (ringed). Each state is colored by its population-weighted low-access share; click any state to compare.

AK 31 ME 13 VT 11 NH 28 WA 23 ID 26 MT 22 ND 29 MN 27 IL 20 WI 21 MI 23 NY 12 RI 24 MA 28 OR 17 NV 23 WY 30 SD 29 IA 20 IN 29 OH 25 PA 21 NJ 24 CT - CA 13 UT 24 CO 22 NE 22 MO 25 KY 20 WV 21 VA 20 MD 23 DE 27 AZ 27 NM 32 KS 26 AR 25 TN 27 NC 23 SC 29 DC 5 OK 25 LA 26 MS 26 AL 25 GA 31 HI 27 TX 25 FL 25

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

Understand the Data

Frequently Asked Questions

What share of Boone County has low food access? ▼
34.4% of residents in Boone County, MO live in low-access areas, more than 1 mile (urban) or 10 miles (rural) from the nearest supermarket, per the USDA Food Access Research Atlas (2019).
What is the SNAP participation rate in Boone County? ▼
6.6% of households in Boone County receive SNAP, covering 5,088 households (Census ACS 2024 5-year estimates).
What is the poverty rate in Boone County? ▼
The poverty rate in Boone County, MO is 16.6%, with a median household income of $72,758 (Census ACS 2024).
Is Boone County a food desert? ▼
5 of Boone County's 29 census tracts meet the USDA food-desert threshold (low-income and low-access). Food deserts are designated at the tract level, so conditions can vary within the county.
What share of Boone County households lack a vehicle? ▼
5.9% of households in Boone County have no vehicle available (Census ACS 2024), which compounds any distance to a supermarket.
Data Sources & Methodology

USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas (2019): low-access and food-desert tract classifications, low-access population, and low-income low-access counts. ers.usda.gov/food-access-research-atlas

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2024 5-Year Estimates: population, median income, poverty, SNAP participation, vehicle access, and group quarters. census.gov/programs-surveys/acs

Low access is defined as living more than 1 mile (urban) or 10 miles (rural) from the nearest supermarket; a food desert adds a low-income condition. Read the full methodology →

Data current as of (most recent source-data vintage; figures reflect the 2019 USDA Atlas and 2024 Census ACS).

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.