Kids Count Data Center

Definitions: Overall Ranks for 2012 for each state using a consistent set of indicators; namely those used to derive the rank reported in the 2012 KIDS COUNT Data Book. The overall rank for each state was obtained in the following manner. First, we converted the 2010 (or 2008/2009, depending on the indicator) state numerical values for each of the 16 key indicators into standard scores. We summed those standard scores within their domains to create a domain standard score for each of the 50 states. We then summed the four domain standard scores to get a total standard score for each state. Finally, we ranked the states on the basis of their total standard score in sequential order from highest/best (1) to lowest/worst (50). Standard scores were derived by subtracting the mean score from the observed score and dividing the amount by the standard deviation for that distribution of scores. All measures were given the same weight in calculating the total standard score. More...

Data Source: Population Reference Bureau, analysis of data gathered for the 2012 KIDS COUNT data book.

Footnotes: Updated July 2012.

Note: The District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are not included in maps and rankings because they are not states and therefore comparisons on many indicators of child well being are not meaningful.