A recent fact sheet, State Baby Facts: Wisconsin, from ZERO TO THREE provides an interesting picture of Wisconsin’s infants and toddlers, with 70 facts provided with citations. Here are some examples:
Basics
- Population: There are 212,019 infants and toddlers in Wisconsin.
- Well-being: Wisconsin ranks 15th among all states for child well-being.
- Single parents: 32% of infants and toddlers in Wisconsin live with a single parent.
- Low-income: 42% of children under age 3 in Wisconsin live in low-income families.
Early Learning Experiences
- Working moms: 73% of mothers with infants in Wisconsin are in the labor force.
- Cost of care: In Wisconsin the cost of child care for an infant is 44% of a single mother’s median income and 13% of a two-parent family’s median income.
- Parent engagement: 59% of parents in Wisconsin tell stories and sing to their 0-5-year-old each day.
Health and Nutrition
- Insurance: 4.3% of Wisconsin’s young children under 6 don’t have health insurance.
- Immunization: 83% of Wisconsin’s 2-year-olds are fully immunized.
- SNAP: 16% of SNAP recipients are under age 5.
Strong Families
- Maltreatment: 24% of children in Wisconsin who are maltreated are under age 3.
- Grandparents: 49% of WI children living with their grandparents are under age 6.
- Foster Care: 28% of children in Wisconsin entering foster care are under age 3.
- Home visiting: 12.6% of Wisconsin families participate in a home visitation program.