WIC Program Statistics — Participation Data and Program Facts
Updated August 2026
WIC is one of the largest federal nutrition programs in the United States, serving low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under 5 across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. Figures below are compiled from USDA and each state's WIC agency.
National WIC Participation
WIC serves approximately 6.9 million participants each month nationwide, including an estimated 41% of all infants born in the United States.
Figure is USDA Food and Nutrition Administration data for fiscal year 2025. The full official nationwide total — including U.S. territories — is published by USDA FNA WIC Program Data.
WIC participation varies widely by state, driven by differences in eligible-population size, outreach, and enrollment infrastructure. The tables below show participation across states.
Top States by WIC Participation
The states serving the largest published number of WIC participants each month, based on the most recent data from each state agency.
| # | State | Participants |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 1,031,000 |
| 2 | Texas | 675,000 |
| 3 | New York | 455,000 |
| 4 | Florida | 413,000 |
| 5 | North Carolina | 259,000 |
| 6 | Georgia | 245,600 |
| 7 | Michigan | 187,000 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | 183,000 |
| 9 | Ohio | 176,000 |
| 10 | Illinois | 165,000 |
Federal WIC Funding
WIC is funded through annual Congressional appropriations to the USDA. Unlike SNAP, which is an entitlement program, WIC is a discretionary grant program — meaning Congress sets a fixed annual funding level and USDA administers within that allocation. State agencies receive federal grants based on participation, food costs, and a nutrition services and administration (NSA) formula.
One distinctive feature of WIC's funding structure is the infant formula rebate program. Each state contracts with a single infant formula manufacturer through competitive bidding, in exchange for substantial rebates on every can of formula purchased through WIC. These rebates are returned to USDA and significantly extend the program's reach — in many years, rebates have allowed WIC to serve roughly 25% more participants than the appropriated budget would otherwise support.
For current appropriation figures and detailed budget breakdowns, see the USDA FNA WIC program page.
WIC and Public Health Research
WIC is one of the most extensively studied federal nutrition programs. USDA-funded research and peer-reviewed studies have examined WIC's impact on a range of maternal and child health outcomes, including birth outcomes such as birth weight and gestational age, breastfeeding initiation and duration, dietary quality relative to income-eligible non-participants, and healthcare access through referrals made at WIC clinic visits.
For specific findings, methodologies, and citations, see USDA FNA Research and Analysis publications.
Historical Context
WIC began as a pilot program in 1972 and was made permanent in 1974. It has operated continuously for more than 50 years, expanding from a few pilot sites to coverage in every state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. Participation peaked in the early 2000s and has declined somewhat since, driven by changes in the eligible-population size and birth rates — though average monthly participation rose again by roughly 7% between fiscal years 2022 and 2024. See the full history of the WIC program.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are on WIC?
WIC serves approximately 6.9 million participants per month nationwide, including an estimated 41% of all infants born in the United States, based on USDA Food and Nutrition Administration data for fiscal year 2025.
Which state has the most WIC participants?
California currently has the highest published monthly WIC participation among states on this site, with About 1,031,000 participants. See the table above for the full ranking.
How is WIC funded?
WIC is funded through annual Congressional appropriations to USDA. Unlike SNAP, which is an entitlement, WIC is a discretionary grant program — Congress sets the annual funding level. Infant formula rebates from competitive state contracts substantially extend the program's reach beyond what the base appropriation alone would support.
What percentage of infants in the U.S. are on WIC?
WIC serves an estimated 41% of all infants born in the United States each year, according to USDA Economic Research Service data — a higher reach than any other federal nutrition program for that age group.
Where can I find official WIC research and statistics?
USDA publishes WIC participation data, food cost reports, and commissioned research at fna.usda.gov/pd/wic-program.