KIDS COUNT Data Book ranks Kentucky toward the bottom for child well-being

• Kentucky ranks 36th overall in child and family well-being, according to the 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book.
• The state saw improvements in economic well-being, with fewer children living in poverty.
• Education and health metrics have generally worsened, including lower reading and math proficiency rates.

The release of the KIDS COUNT Data Book on Monday, June 8, shows that Kentucky ranks lower than most states in child and family well-being.

The report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation analyzes all 50 states across 16 indicators related to family and community, economic well-being, education and health. The commonwealth ranks 36th overall in the 2026 results, with improvements in some areas and declines in others.

Kentucky ranks 36th overall in 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book

Kentucky ranks 36th overall in the 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book, showing improvements and declines in various areas.

Related to economic well-being, the number of children living in poverty in Kentucky decreased from 22% in 2019 to 19% in 2024, and the number of children whose parents lack secure employment dropped from 31% to 28%. The commonwealth ranks 39th for economic well-being.

Metrics related to education have worsened, with an overall ranking of 22. There was increase in young children not in school (ages 3-4) from 59% to 63%; an increase in fourth graders not proficient in reading from 65% to 67%; and an increase in eighth graders not proficient in math from 71% to 76%.

The rate of high school students not graduating on time has dropped from 9% to 8%.

Health metrics have also worsened, with an increase in low birth-weight babies from 8.7% to 8.8%; an increase in children without health insurance from 4% to 5%; and an increase in child and teen deaths per 100,000 from 29 to 31. The rate of children and teens who are overweight or obese has dropped from 37% to 33%. Kentucky ranks 31st for health.

Family and community metrics improved, with a drop in the percentage of children in single-parent families from 36% to 34%; a drop in children living in families where the household head lacks a high school diploma from 11% to 10%; a drop in children living in high-poverty areas from 15% to 11%; and a drop in teen births per 1,000 from 25 to 20. The commonwealth ranks 44th for family and community.

Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.