Change Indicator

Children in kinship care in United States

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Why This Indicator Matters

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Definition and Source

PROVIDER

Definition

Children in kinship care refers to situations in which children are cared for full time by blood relatives or other adults with whom they have a family-like relationship, such as godparents or close family friends. 

Using the relationship to householder items on the Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement, children are identified in kinship care when a parent is not present in the household and the child is either related to at least one other person in the household (e.g., sibling, grandchild, niece/nephew) or is listed as a nonrelative of the householder (e.g., a family friend).

Children listed as housemates, roommates, or boarders are not categorized as children in kinship care. Children identified as a foster child are not categorized as children in kinship care because the familial or friendship relationship tie cannot be determined. The analysis excludes children living in group quarters (i.e., group placements) as well as children who are the householder or spouse of the householder.

Data Source

2017 Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS ASEC) Research File, 2018 CPS ASEC Bridge File, 2019-2021and 2020-2022 CPS ASEC. Estimates represent a three-year average.

Data users should exercise caution when comparing estimates from the 2020 CPS ASEC to previous years. The data collection for the 2020 CPS ASEC occurred during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. To protect the health and safety of Census Bureau staff and respondents, interviewing methods were changed, and this led to a lower response rate than in previous years. See the March 2020 CPS ASEC technical documentation for more information.

Notes

Updated September 2022.

Last Updated

September 2022