Key Takeaways from the 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book

Overview

The Annie E. Casey Foundation recently released their 2026 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, which has been measuring child well-being across states since 1990. The report ranks and scores states based on indicators in four domains: Economic Well-Being, Education, Health, and Family and Community. In addition to highlighting differences across states, this year’s Data Book compares outcomes from 2019 to 2024. 

Findings

The findings paint a mixed picture. Several indicators related to family economic stability and community well-being have improved since 2019, including fewer children living in high-poverty neighborhoods and increases in parental employment and educational attainment. However, overall child well-being was lower in 2024 than in 2019, driven largely by setbacks in education. Specifically, the report found that: 

• 54% of young children ages 3-4 are not enrolled in school
• 70% of 4th graders are not proficient in reading
• 73% of 8th graders are not proficient in math

Nearly every state experienced declines in the Education domain between 2019 and 2024. These indicators are directly linked to long-term economic success, employment, and future achievement. Preschool participation declined nationally from 54% to 52% between 2019 and 2024. Given the evidence linking high-quality early learning experiences to improved academic and life outcomes, these trends raise concerns about children’s long-term success. 

The Data Book also highlights persistent geographic disparities, with many of the highest-ranked states concentrated in the Northeast and many of the lowest-ranked states located in the South. These differences underscore how a child’s opportunities and outcomes can vary depending on where they live. 

Looking Forward

The researchers encourage readers to examine trends over longer periods of time, as these data provide a more reliable picture. They also advise focusing on substantial differences across states, since small year-to-year changes may reflect normal variation rather than meaningful shifts in child well-being. 

FFYF Takeaway 

While child care access is not measured directly in the KIDS COUNT index, the report’s findings reinforce the importance of federal investments in affordable, high-quality child care and early learning. These programs support children’s healthy development and school readiness while helping parents work, earn income, and achieve greater economic stability.

Resources

Check out the  2026 Kids Count Data Book for the entire state-by-state analysis. And for additional data on child and family well-being, the KIDS COUNT Data Center is another important resource for advocates and policymakers. 

Learn more about current federal appropriations for child care and early learning programs here.