2018 KIDS COUNT® Data Book

by | July 17, 2018

Home 9 Publications 9 2018 KIDS COUNT® Data Book ( Page 12 )

According to the 2018 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Wisconsin is ranked 12th overall in child well-being. Despite its relatively high ranking, Wisconsin could be doing a lot more to give every child in the state the opportunity to thrive. Child poverty remains stubbornly high in Wisconsin with nearly 200,000 children impoverished. There has been no change in the number of children living in high-poverty areas, despite the fact that the economy has rebounded for many families and communities.

In addition, Wisconsin’s overall relatively high well-being masks significant racial and ethnic disparities. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 49 percent of African American children live in poverty compared to 10 percent of white children in the state. In addition, 39 percent of American Indian children, 33 percent Latino children, and 22 percent of Asian American children in Wisconsin live in poverty*.

The Data Book also highlights the alarming consequences of a US Census undercount of kids age 5 and under, which will put hundreds of millions of dollars of federal funding at risk—including funding that is critical to the stability and success of thousands of children and families in the Wisconsin. If current policies persist, Wisconsin is at risk of not counting nearly 10 percent (43,000) of our children under age 5.

Learn more about the well-being of children in Wisconsin by downloading the 2018 KIDS COUNT® Data Book.

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2012-16 5 year estimates

Emily Miota
Emily Miota
Learn more about Emily.

Join us to build a Wisconsin where every child and family thrives.

Recent

Our Take: The Wisconsin 2023-25 Biennial Budget

Our Take: The Wisconsin 2023-25 Biennial Budget

We appreciate Governor Evers being a stop gap for some of the most egregious proposals from the Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee (JFC). But, if we want to actually address Wisconsin’s racial disparities, we have a lot more work to do.

Proposed Tax Cut Privileges Wealthiest 1%, Leaves Struggling Families Behind

Proposed Tax Cut Privileges Wealthiest 1%, Leaves Struggling Families Behind

Wisconsin can be a place where we all—regardless of race or place—have what we need to make ends meet. However, last week the Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee voted for a tax cut that would aid in gutting supports for families. Letting Wisconsin’s wealthiest off the hook from paying what they owe means many struggling families are left behind, particularly children and families of color and those furthest from opportunity. We are calling on Governor Evers to stand up for everyday families and veto this tax cut for the wealthy few.

Sign up for Emails

Your address helps us identify your legislators and the most relevant messages to send you.