Unpacking the numbers: Who receives SNAP?
This page dives into the demographics of SNAP (Food Stamps) recipients in the United States, offering a clear, data-driven perspective. Understanding 'Who On SNAP' means exploring official statistics on race, ethnicity, and age, directly from USDA and U.S. Census data. This information is vital for grasping the realities of food assistance and its intersection with social justice, adding to the education for all readers.
Race and ethnicity: A look at SNAP recipients
In Fiscal Year 2023, official USDA data reveals the racial and ethnic breakdown of SNAP participants. White, non-Hispanic recipients formed the largest group, followed by Black/African American and then Hispanic recipients. Understanding these proportions is key to comprehending the program's reach across different communities:
• White, not Hispanic: 14.202 million (35.4%)
• African American, not Hispanic: 10.282 million (25.7%)
• Hispanic, any race: 6.268 million (15.6%)
• Asian, not Hispanic: 1.558 million (3.9%)
• Native American, not Hispanic: 0.533 million (1.3%)
• Multiple races reported, not Hispanic: 0.400 million (1.0%)
• Race unknown (missing/voluntary reporting): 6.823 million (17.0%)
Seniors on SNAP: Supporting older adults
Senior citizens represent a significant segment of the SNAP population. According to USDA's Economic Research Service, approximately 19% of SNAP participants in FY2023 were age 60 or older. This figure, sometimes rounded to 20% 'elderly' participants in USDA reporting, highlights the program's crucial role in providing nutritional support to our older adult population.
Children and SNAP: Deeper data insights
Delving deeper into demographics, the U.S. Census Bureau's SIPP data offers insights into 'within-group' SNAP receipt rates for children in 2021, showcasing varying levels of need and access:
• Non-Hispanic Black children: 45% received SNAP
• Hispanic children (any race): 28% received SNAP
• Non-Hispanic White children: 12% received SNAP
For additional recipient breakdowns beyond this snapshot, including more demographic cuts and household types, the Census Bureau also publishes SIPP detailed program receipt tables.
Official sources and references
1. USDA Food and Nutrition Service. (2025). Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households: Fiscal Year 2023 (SNAP QC annual report).
2. USDA Food and Nutrition Service. (2025). Characteristics of SNAP Households: Fiscal Year 2023 (Summary brief).
3. USDA Economic Research Service. (2025). Distribution of SNAP participants by age, fiscal year 2023.
4. U.S. Census Bureau. (2023). Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): 2021 (SIPP Snapshot P70FS-190).
5. U.S. Census Bureau. (2025). SIPP Detailed Program Receipt Tables: 2023 (public assistance program receipt tables, including SNAP).