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Overall Index scores and rankings in United States

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Definition and Source

PROVIDER

Definition

The KIDS COUNT index reflects child health and educational outcomes as well as risk and protective factors, such as economic well-being, family structure and community context. The index incorporates a developmental perspective on childhood and includes experiences across life stages, from birth through the late teens. The indicators are consistently and regularly measured, which allows for legitimate comparisons across states and over time.

The Index is an a score computed for each state, based on 16 key indicators. The score ranges from 0 to 1,000 and is calculated using this formula: 1,000 – [(Value – Minimum Value) / (Maximum Value – Minimum Value)]*1,000. The minimum value is set as the best state value for each indicator based on data from 2019 and the maximum value is set as the worst state value for each indicator based on data from 2019. The indicator scores are averaged to produce a single overall score for each state, with all measures equally weighted.

A score of 1,000 represents the best outcomes observed among states in 2019, rather than a finish line. A state with a score of 1,000 still has room for improvement. Likewise, a score of 500 does not mean a state is doing half as well as one scoring 1,000, but it does indicate substantial room for improvement. Changes in scores over time — up to the latest available data, largely 2024 — reflect real changes in child outcomes, not shifts in how states compare to one another (like rankings). The scores allow states to see their own progress or decline, in addition to how they compare to others. The rankings are based on the scores, and provide a quick measure of how states stand relative to other states.

Learn more about the new methodology at https://www.aecf.org/resources/the-new-kids-count-index-methodology.

Data Source

Population Reference Bureau, analysis of data gathered for the 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book.

The 16 indicators of child well-being are derived from the following government statistical agencies:

ECONOMIC WELL-BEING INDICATORS

  • Children in poverty U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.
  • Children whose parents lack secure employment U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.
  • Children living in households with a high housing cost burden U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.
  • Teens not in school and not working U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

EDUCATION INDICATORS

  • Young children not in school U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.
  • Fourth graders not proficient in reading U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress.
  • Eighth graders not proficient in math U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress.
  • High school students not graduating on time 2022–23 and 2023–24: State estimates are from each state department of education's official State Report Card. The national estimate was calculated using data provided by each state's education agency and 12th grade enrollment data from the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data. 2018–19 through 2021–22: National and state estimates are from the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data.

HEALTH INDICATORS

  • Low birth-weight babies Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, Vital Statistics.
  • Children without health insurance U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.
  • Child and teen deaths per 100,000 Death statistics: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, Vital Statistics. Population statistics: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates.
  • Children and teens who are overweight or obese U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, National Survey of Children's Health.

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY INDICATORS

  • Children in single-parent families U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.
  • Children in families where the household head lacks a high school diploma U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.
  • Children living in high-poverty areas U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.
  • Teen births per 1,000 Birth statistics: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, Vital Statistics. Population statistics: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates.

Notes

The year represents the target reference year — the most recent year for which estimates were available for most indicators — though some indicators may reflect prior (or more recent) years based on source availability.

For the 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book, most estimates are from 2024; some indicators reflect 2023–24 or 2020–24 data or the most current year available from each data source.

N.R. Not ranked.

Last Updated

May 2026