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Friday, Oct. 31, 2025

Are rural areas more likely to be harmed by reductions to SNAP?

Matthew Yim, Oklahoma Watch
yes

A recent analysis by the Center for American Progress found that rural counties disproportionately represent the over 300 counties identified as having the highest risk of being harmed by SNAP cuts at 77%.

Nearly one in six counties in Oklahoma was determined to be high risk, and more than 90% of them are rural.

High risk counties were distinguished as those that are both in the top 10% of counties with the highest SNAP participation rates and have limited options for SNAP benefit recipients to use them.

Harmon County was identified as particularly high risk, with 27% of the population receiving benefits and having only five SNAP retailers.

SNAP benefits have been found to increase employment and economic output in rural economies by more than double the increase in urban economies, further highlighting their importance to rural areas–which are where 38 percent of Oklahomans reside.

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