by Laura Tillman, CT Mirror
June 8, 2026

Connecticut moved up in a national ranking that uses data to rate how well children are doing state-to-state, moving from eighth to seventh place.

The 2026 Kids Count is compiled by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and state partners like Connecticut Voices for Children and uses 16 indicators in four different categories to assess how well kids are doing — economically and scholastically, as members of families and communities, as well as their physical health.

The dataset, which analyzes 2024 data, rated Connecticut highly in education and health, ranking third and fourth respectively. But Connecticut continues to place closer to the middle of the pack in the categories of economic well-being and family and community, at 20th and 18th in the nation.

Overall, New Hampshire ranked first in the nation while Mississippi came in last.

“Behind every number in this report is a child who is either hungry or fed, housed or homeless, progressing academically or falling behind. No state is consistently getting this right,” said Lisa M. Lawson, president and CEO of the Annie E. Casey Foundation. “The Data Book challenges us to follow the evidence and do what delivers results.”

Connecticut’s 2024 data was measured against numbers from 2019. While most measures didn’t see a significant change, there were some small shifts. That included a slight increase in the number of low birth weight babies, from 7.8% to 8.1%, and more teens not in school and not working — from 4 to 5%. Despite Connecticut’s strong educational ranking, the numbers in that area also slid back — 40% of pre-K aged kids were not in school, compared to a previous measurement of 35%; more fourth-graders were not proficient in reading, up to 64% from 60%; and more eighth-graders were not proficient in math, 68% compared to 61%.

“Connecticut’s overall high ranking is something to be proud of but evidence we are not doing enough — we must engage in big, bold policy changes that advance economic security for all families, not just the privileged and lucky few,” said Emily Byrne, executive director of Connecticut Voices for Children. “The data show both the impact of investments that support children and families and the consequences of longstanding status quo budgets that don’t address equity and opportunity.”

Byrne said that Connecticut has a “moral responsibility” to support families by strengthening the social safety net and investing in policies that benefit all children.

This year, the Kids Count report includes an overall numerical score between 0 and 1000. Connecticut scored 708 — well above the national average of 547. But Connecticut’s score also dropped compared to how the Annie E. Casey Foundation rated it during 2019, when it was rated 727. The Foundation said that 2019 was chosen as a basis of comparison because it represents how kids were faring pre-COVID. The numerical ranking is intended to help make more visible how states are improving or declining on metrics independent of how they rank against other states.

By those scores, kids fared worse in 2024 than they did in 2019, with much of this decline driven by education. Connecticut’s educational data improved in only one metric between 2019 and 2024: slightly more high school students are graduating on time. And, despite its mediocre ranking on economic outcomes, Connecticut’s metrics improved in three of four economic categories, with fewer children living in poverty, fewer children whose parents lack secure employment and fewer children living in households with a high housing cost burden compared to 2019 figures.

Data on the decreasing share of young children not in school is notable as Connecticut embarks on an ambitious plan to fund early childhood education for low-income families with an endowment. Under that plan, which Gov. Ned Lamont has said is central to his legacy, families making less than $100,000 per year would pay nothing for pre-K, while families making more than that would contribute up to 7% of their household income.

This <a target=”_blank” href=”https://ctmirror.org/2026/06/08/kids-count-conveys-mixed-picture-of-how-children-fare-in-ct/”>article</a> first appeared on <a target=”_blank” href=”https://ctmirror.org”>CT Mirror</a> and is republished here under a <a target=”_blank” href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/”>Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.<img src=”https://ctmirror.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/cropped-CTMirror_bug_rgb-180×180.jpg” style=”width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;”>

<img id=”republication-tracker-tool-source” src=”https://ctmirror.org/?republication-pixel=true&post=1170879&amp;ga4=G-9GVNVL530Q” style=”width:1px;height:1px;”><script> PARSELY = { autotrack: false, onload: function() { PARSELY.beacon.trackPageView({ url: “https://ctmirror.org/2026/06/08/kids-count-conveys-mixed-picture-of-how-children-fare-in-ct/”, urlref: window.location.href }); } } </script> <script id=”parsely-cfg” src=”//cdn.parsely.com/keys/ctmirror.org/p.js”></script>

HARTFORD, CT — A popular culinary destination in Connecticut’s capital city says it will be the place to be to watch the biggest sporting event on the planet.

Parkville Market in Hartford will kick off its “Summer of Soccer” celebration June 11 with a watch party for the Mexico-South Africa match, launching a series of soccer-themed events planned throughout the summer.

The Hartford food hall will broadcast matches both inside the venue and on its outdoor patio.

Organizers said opening-day activities will include face painting, custom T-shirt making, giveaways and a 360-degree photo booth.

Parkville Market’s 22 food vendors, which feature cuisines from around the world, are expected to be a central part of the experience as visitors gather to watch international soccer matches.

In addition to match broadcasts, visitors can use the venue’s new mini soccer pitch outside.

Organizers encouraged guests to bring their own soccer balls and play during events.

“Soccer is the world’s game, and Parkville Market is where the world comes together,” said Carlos Mouta, owner and CEO of Parkville Market. “And let’s go Portugal!”

Special event activations are planned for June 11, June 27 and the tournament final on July 19, according to organizers.

Located at 1400 Park St. in Hartford, Parkville Market is Connecticut’s first and largest food hall. The venue includes 22 restaurants, three bars, private event spaces and outdoor dining areas.

In a post on X, New Haven Police Department said officers were out with a shooting victim in the area of Orchard and Charles streets at 6:43 p.m.

Police said the victim’s injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.

New Haven police Officer Christian Bruckhart said the scene was still active as of 6:45 p.m.

This is a developing story and will be updated.