Darcy Sawatzki

                                                                                                      202-842-3600 x249

                                                                                         

 

Nancy Parello

Association for Children of New Jersey

(973) 643-3876

nparello@acnj.org

                                       

Child Well-Being in New Jersey at a Glance
2005 KIDS COUNT New Jersey Fact Sheet

 

New Jersey ranks 4^th among all states in a new state-by-state study that reports on the well-being of America’s children.  The 2005 KIDS COUNT Data Book reveals that New Jersey improved in five out of 10 measures that reflect child well-being and experienced setbacks five measures since 2000.  This year’s report also calls attention to the increasing number of children nationwide living in families struggling with chronic unemployment.

 

Approximately 63,000 New Jersey kids live in households where no adult works.

In 2003, 3 percent of New Jersey’s children lived in low-income households where no adult held a job in the last 12 months.  Nationwide, 5 percent of America’s children lived in low-income, non-working households in 2003.

 

New Jersey’s high school dropout rate is best in the nation.

In 2000, 8 percent of New Jersey’s teens ages 16-19 were considered high school dropouts.  In 2003, that rate plummeted to 4 percent, a dramatic 50-percent improvement.  New Jersey ranked 1^st in the nation for its high school dropout rate.

 

Lower share of teens not in school and not working.

Between 2000 and 2003, the share of teens ages 16-19 not in school and not working decreased from 7 percent to 5 percent, a 29-percent improvement.  This improvement earned New Jersey its second best ranking of any indicator (4^th in the nation).

 

Child poverty rate climbs.

New Jersey experienced a 20-percent increase in its child poverty rate between 2000 and 2003.  In 2003, 12 percent of New Jersey’s children lived in poverty, up from 10 percent in 2000, the largest setback of any indicator.  Despite the increase, New Jersey ranked 5^th in the nation for this indicator.

 

Higher share of low-birthweight children born in New Jersey.

Between 2000 and 2002, New Jersey experienced a 4-percent increase in its rate of children born weighing less than 5.5 pounds.  In 2002, 8 percent of all babies born were low-birthweight, a setback from 7.7 percent in 2000, earning New Jersey its worst ranking measure (27^th in the nation).