Selected KIDS COUNT Indicators for State in North Carolina

Definitions: The share of all children under age 18 living in families where no parent has regular, full-time employment.

For children living in single-parent families, this means the resident parent did not work at least 35 hours per week, at least 50 weeks in the 12 months prior to the survey. For children living in married-couple families, this means neither parent worked at least 35 hours per week, at least 50 weeks in the 12 months prior to the survey. Children living with neither parent were listed as not having secure parental employment because those children are likely to be economically vulnerable. This measure is very similar to the measure called "Secure Parental Employment," used by the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics in its publication America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being.

Data Source: Population Reference Bureau, analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 2008 - 2019 American Community Survey.

Footnotes: Updated December 2020.
S – Estimates suppressed when the confidence interval around the percentage is greater than or equal to 10 percentage points.
N.A. – Data not available.
Data are provided for the 50 most populous cities according to the most recent Census counts. Cities for which data is collected may change over time.
A 90 percent confidence interval for each estimate can be found at Children whose parents lack secure employment.

Definitions: The share of children living in households where more than 30 percent of the monthly income was spent on rent, mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, and/or related expenses.

The 30 percent threshold for housing costs is based on research on affordable housing by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban development (HUD). According to HUD, households that must allocate more than 30 percent of their income to housing expenses are less likely to have enough resources for food, clothing, medical care or other needs.

Data Source: Population Reference Bureau, analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 2005 through 2019 American Community Survey.

Beginning in January 2005, the U.S. Census Bureau expanded the ACS sample to 3 million households (full implementation), and in January 2006 the ACS included group quarters. The ACS, fully implemented, is designed to provide annually updated social, economic, and housing data for states and communities. (Such local-area data have traditionally been collected once every ten years in the long form of the decennial census.)

Footnotes: Updated December 2020.
S - Estimates suppressed when the confidence interval around the
percentage is greater than or equal to 10 percentage points.
N.A. – Data not available.
Data are provided for the 50 most populous cities according to the most recent Census counts.  Cities for which data is collected may change over time.
A 90 percent confidence interval for each estimate can be found at
Children living in households with a high housing cost burden .

Definitions: Child poverty refers to the share of children under age 18 who live in families with incomes below the federal poverty level.

The federal poverty definition consists of a series of thresholds based on family size and composition. In calendar year 2019, a family of two adults and two children fell in the “poverty” category if their annual income fell below $25,926. Poverty status is not determined for people in military barracks, institutional quarters, or for unrelated individuals under age 15 (such as foster children). The data are based on income received in the 12 months prior to the survey.

Data Source: Population Reference Bureau, analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Supplementary Survey, 2001 Supplementary Survey, 2002 through 2019 American Community Survey.

These data were derived from ACS table B17001.

Footnotes: Updated September 2020.
S: Estimates suppressed when the confidence interval around the percentage is greater than or equal to 10 percentage points.
N.A.: Data not available.
Data are provided for the 50 most populous cities according to the most recent Census counts. Cities for which data are collected may change over time.
Use caution when comparing congressional districts over time. Congressional district boundaries may change between decennial censuses. Annual data for each congressional district refers to the boundaries for that district in that year.A 90 percent confidence interval for each estimate can be found at Children in poverty (100 percent poverty).

Definitions: Fourth grade public school students’ reading achievement levels, as measured and defined by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading test.

For a more detailed description of achievement levels see: http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/Reading/achieveall.asp. Public schools include charter schools and exclude Bureau of Indian Education schools and Department of Defense Education Activity schools.

Data Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).  Available online at http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/.

Footnotes: Updated November 2019.
S – NAEP reporting standards not met.
N.A. – Data not available.
A 90 percent confidence interval file may be found at Fourth grade reading achievement levels.

Definitions: Eighth grade public school students’ mathematics achievement levels, as measured and defined by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).

For a more detailed description of achievement levels see: http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/Mathematics/achieveall.asp. Public schools include charter schools and exclude Bureau of Indian Education schools and Department of Defense Education Activity schools.

Data Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Available online at http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard. 

Footnotes: Updated April 2020.
S – NAEP reporting standards not met.
N.A. – Data not available.
A 90 percent confidence interval for each estimate can be found at Eighth grade math achievement levels.

Definitions: The share of all children under age 18 living in households by the head of household’s educational attainment.

The data for this measure come from the 2000 and 2001 Supplementary Survey and the 2002 through 2019 American Community Survey (ACS). The 2000 through 2004 ACS surveyed approximately 700,000 households monthly during each calendar year. In general but particularly for these years, use caution when interpreting estimates for less populous states or indicators representing small subpopulations, where the sample size is relatively small. Beginning in January 2005, the U.S. Census Bureau expanded the ACS sample to 3 million households (full implementation), and in January 2006 the ACS included group quarters. The ACS, fully implemented, is designed to provide annually updated social, economic, and housing data for states and communities. (Such local-area data have traditionally been collected once every ten years in the long form of the decennial census.)

Data Source: Population Reference Bureau, analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 2005 through 2019 American Community Survey.

Footnotes: Updated December 2020.
S - Estimates suppressed when the confidence interval around the percentage is greater than or equal to 10 percentage points.
N.A. – Data not available.
A 90 percent confidence interval for each estimate can be found at  Children by household head’s educational attainment.

Definitions: Children living in census tracts with poverty rates of 30 percent or more.

Research indicates that as neighborhood poverty rates increase, undesirable outcomes rise and opportunities for success are less likely. The effects of concentrated poverty begin to appear once neighborhood poverty rates rise above 20 percent and continue to grow as the concentration of poverty increases up to the 40 percent threshold. This indicator defines areas of concentrated poverty as those census tracts with overall poverty rates of 30 percent or more because it is a commonly used threshold that lies between the starting point and leveling off point for negative neighborhood effects. The 2019 federal poverty threshold is $25,926 per year for a family of two adults and two children.

Data Source: Population Reference Bureau analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Decennial Census Summary File 1 and Summary File 3 and the 2006-2010 to 2015–2019 American Community Survey 5-year data.

Footnotes: Updated January 2021.
S - Estimates suppressed when the confidence interval around the percentage is greater than or equal to 10 percentage points.
N.A. – Data not available.
Data is provided for the 50 most populous cities according to the most recent Census counts. Cities for which data is collected may change over time.
A 90 percent confidence interval for each estimate can be found at:  Children living in high poverty areas.

Definitions: Children under age 18 who live with their own single parent either in a family or subfamily.

In this definition, single-parent families may include cohabiting couples and do not include children living with married stepparents. Children who live in group quarters (for example, institutions, dormitories, or group homes) are not included in this calculation.

Data Source: Population Reference Bureau, analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Supplementary Survey, 2001 Supplementary Survey and 2002 through 2019 American Community Survey (ACS).

These data were derived from ACS table C23008.

Footnotes: Updated October 2020.
S - Estimates suppressed when the confidence interval around the percentage is greater than or equal to 10 percentage points.
N.A. – Data not available.
Data is provided for the 50 most populous cities according to the most recent Census counts. Cities for which data is collected may change over time. 
Use caution when comparing congressional districts over time. Congressional district boundaries may change between decennial censuses. Annual data for each congressional district refers to the boundaries for that district in that year.
A 90 percent confidence interval for each estimate can be found at Children in single-parent families.

Definitions: The share of all children under age 18 living in households by the head of household’s educational attainment.

The data for this measure come from the 2000 and 2001 Supplementary Survey and the 2002 through 2019 American Community Survey (ACS). The 2000 through 2004 ACS surveyed approximately 700,000 households monthly during each calendar year. In general but particularly for these years, use caution when interpreting estimates for less populous states or indicators representing small subpopulations, where the sample size is relatively small. Beginning in January 2005, the U.S. Census Bureau expanded the ACS sample to 3 million households (full implementation), and in January 2006 the ACS included group quarters. The ACS, fully implemented, is designed to provide annually updated social, economic, and housing data for states and communities. (Such local-area data have traditionally been collected once every ten years in the long form of the decennial census.)

Data Source: Population Reference Bureau, analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 2005 through 2019 American Community Survey.

Footnotes: Updated December 2020.
S - Estimates suppressed when the confidence interval around the percentage is greater than or equal to 10 percentage points.
N.A. – Data not available.
A 90 percent confidence interval for each estimate can be found at  Children by household head’s educational attainment.

Definitions: Live births weighing less than 2,500 grams (5.5 pounds).

The data reflect the mother’s place of residence, not the place where the birth occurred. Births of unknown weight were not included in these calculations. Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands are not included in the U.S. Average.

Data Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics.

1990 through 2019 state-level estimates are from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), National Vital Statistics Reports or can be accessed through the CDC Wonder system. City-level estimates are from public use micro-data files provided by NCHS.

Footnotes: Updated February 2021.
S – NCHS reporting standards not met.
N.A. – Data not available.

Definitions: Deaths to children between ages 1 and 19, from all causes, per 100,000 children in this age range.

The data are reported by the place of residence, not the place where the death occurred.

Data Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

Population Reference Bureau, analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, Multiple Causes of Death Microdata Files for 2005-2019.

Population Statistics: U.S. Census Bureau
2005-2019 data: State Characteristics Population Estimates File, accessed online.

Footnotes: Updated March 2021.
S – NCHS reporting standards not met.
N.A. – Data not available.

Definitions: Economic Ranks for 2012 to 2021 for each state using a consistent set of economic indicators; namely those used to derive the rank reported in the 2012 to 2021 KIDS COUNT Data Books.

The Family and Community Rank for each state was obtained in the following manner. First, using the 2020 KIDS COUNT Data Book to demonstrate, we converted the 2018 state numerical values for each of the 4 key indicators within each domain into standard scores. We summed those standard scores in each domain to get a total standard score for each state. Finally, we ranked the states on the basis of their total standard score by domain 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 domain standard score.

Data Source: Population Reference Bureau, analysis of data gathered for the 2012 to 2021 KIDS COUNT Data Books.

Footnotes: Updated June 2021.

Definitions: Family and Community Ranks for 2012 to 2021 for each state using a consistent set of family and community indicators; namely those used to derive the rank reported in the 2012 to 2021 KIDS COUNT Data Books.

The Family and Community Rank for each state was obtained in the following manner. First, using the 2020 KIDS COUNT Data Book to demonstrate, we converted the 2018 state numerical values for each of the 4 key indicators within each domain into standard scores. We summed those standard scores in each domain to get a total standard score for each state. Finally, we ranked the states on the basis of their total standard score by domain 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 domain standard score.

Data Source: Population Reference Bureau, analysis of data gathered for the 2012 to 2021 KIDS COUNT Data Books.

Footnotes: Updated June 2021.

Definitions: Child poverty refers to the share of children under age 18 who live in families with incomes below the federal poverty level.

The federal poverty definition consists of a series of thresholds based on family size and composition. In calendar year 2019, a family of two adults and two children fell in the “poverty” category if their annual income fell below $25,926. Poverty status is not determined for people in military barracks, institutional quarters, or for unrelated individuals under age 15 (such as foster children). The data are based on income received in the 12 months prior to the survey.

Data Source: Population Reference Bureau, analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Supplementary Survey, 2001 Supplementary Survey, 2002 through 2019 American Community Survey.

These data were derived from ACS table B17001.

Footnotes: Updated September 2020.
S: Estimates suppressed when the confidence interval around the percentage is greater than or equal to 10 percentage points.
N.A.: Data not available.
Data are provided for the 50 most populous cities according to the most recent Census counts. Cities for which data are collected may change over time.
Use caution when comparing congressional districts over time. Congressional district boundaries may change between decennial censuses. Annual data for each congressional district refers to the boundaries for that district in that year.A 90 percent confidence interval for each estimate can be found at Children in poverty (100 percent poverty).

Definitions: The share of all children under age 18 living in families where no parent has regular, full-time employment.

For children living in single-parent families, this means the resident parent did not work at least 35 hours per week, at least 50 weeks in the 12 months prior to the survey. For children living in married-couple families, this means neither parent worked at least 35 hours per week, at least 50 weeks in the 12 months prior to the survey. Children living with neither parent were listed as not having secure parental employment because those children are likely to be economically vulnerable. This measure is very similar to the measure called "Secure Parental Employment," used by the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics in its publication America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being.

Data Source: Population Reference Bureau, analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 2008 - 2019 American Community Survey.

Footnotes: Updated December 2020.
S – Estimates suppressed when the confidence interval around the percentage is greater than or equal to 10 percentage points.
N.A. – Data not available.
Data are provided for the 50 most populous cities according to the most recent Census counts. Cities for which data is collected may change over time.
A 90 percent confidence interval for each estimate can be found at Children whose parents lack secure employment.

Definitions: The share of children living in households where more than 30 percent of the monthly income was spent on rent, mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, and/or related expenses.

The 30 percent threshold for housing costs is based on research on affordable housing by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban development (HUD). According to HUD, households that must allocate more than 30 percent of their income to housing expenses are less likely to have enough resources for food, clothing, medical care or other needs.

Data Source: Population Reference Bureau, analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 2005 through 2019 American Community Survey.

Beginning in January 2005, the U.S. Census Bureau expanded the ACS sample to 3 million households (full implementation), and in January 2006 the ACS included group quarters. The ACS, fully implemented, is designed to provide annually updated social, economic, and housing data for states and communities. (Such local-area data have traditionally been collected once every ten years in the long form of the decennial census.)

Footnotes: Updated December 2020.
S - Estimates suppressed when the confidence interval around the
percentage is greater than or equal to 10 percentage points.
N.A. – Data not available.
Data are provided for the 50 most populous cities according to the most recent Census counts.  Cities for which data is collected may change over time.
A 90 percent confidence interval for each estimate can be found at
Children living in households with a high housing cost burden .

Definitions: Fourth grade public school students’ reading achievement levels, as measured and defined by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading test.

For a more detailed description of achievement levels see: http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/Reading/achieveall.asp. Public schools include charter schools and exclude Bureau of Indian Education schools and Department of Defense Education Activity schools.

Data Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).  Available online at http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/.

Footnotes: Updated November 2019.
S – NAEP reporting standards not met.
N.A. – Data not available.
A 90 percent confidence interval file may be found at Fourth grade reading achievement levels.

Definitions: Eighth grade public school students’ mathematics achievement levels, as measured and defined by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).

For a more detailed description of achievement levels see: http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/Mathematics/achieveall.asp. Public schools include charter schools and exclude Bureau of Indian Education schools and Department of Defense Education Activity schools.

Data Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Available online at http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard. 

Footnotes: Updated April 2020.
S – NAEP reporting standards not met.
N.A. – Data not available.
A 90 percent confidence interval for each estimate can be found at Eighth grade math achievement levels.

Definitions: Live births weighing less than 2,500 grams (5.5 pounds).

The data reflect the mother’s place of residence, not the place where the birth occurred. Births of unknown weight were not included in these calculations. Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands are not included in the U.S. Average.

Data Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics.

1990 through 2019 state-level estimates are from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), National Vital Statistics Reports or can be accessed through the CDC Wonder system. City-level estimates are from public use micro-data files provided by NCHS.

Footnotes: Updated February 2021.
S – NCHS reporting standards not met.
N.A. – Data not available.

Definitions: Deaths to children between ages 1 and 19, from all causes, per 100,000 children in this age range.

The data are reported by the place of residence, not the place where the death occurred.

Data Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

Population Reference Bureau, analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, Multiple Causes of Death Microdata Files for 2005-2019.

Population Statistics: U.S. Census Bureau
2005-2019 data: State Characteristics Population Estimates File, accessed online.

Footnotes: Updated March 2021.
S – NCHS reporting standards not met.
N.A. – Data not available.

Definitions: Children under age 18 who live with their own single parent either in a family or subfamily.

In this definition, single-parent families may include cohabiting couples and do not include children living with married stepparents. Children who live in group quarters (for example, institutions, dormitories, or group homes) are not included in this calculation.

Data Source: Population Reference Bureau, analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Supplementary Survey, 2001 Supplementary Survey and 2002 through 2019 American Community Survey (ACS).

These data were derived from ACS table C23008.

Footnotes: Updated October 2020.
S - Estimates suppressed when the confidence interval around the percentage is greater than or equal to 10 percentage points.
N.A. – Data not available.
Data is provided for the 50 most populous cities according to the most recent Census counts. Cities for which data is collected may change over time. 
Use caution when comparing congressional districts over time. Congressional district boundaries may change between decennial censuses. Annual data for each congressional district refers to the boundaries for that district in that year.
A 90 percent confidence interval for each estimate can be found at Children in single-parent families.

Definitions: The share of all children under age 18 living in households by the head of household’s educational attainment.

The data for this measure come from the 2000 and 2001 Supplementary Survey and the 2002 through 2019 American Community Survey (ACS). The 2000 through 2004 ACS surveyed approximately 700,000 households monthly during each calendar year. In general but particularly for these years, use caution when interpreting estimates for less populous states or indicators representing small subpopulations, where the sample size is relatively small. Beginning in January 2005, the U.S. Census Bureau expanded the ACS sample to 3 million households (full implementation), and in January 2006 the ACS included group quarters. The ACS, fully implemented, is designed to provide annually updated social, economic, and housing data for states and communities. (Such local-area data have traditionally been collected once every ten years in the long form of the decennial census.)

Data Source: Population Reference Bureau, analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 2005 through 2019 American Community Survey.

Footnotes: Updated December 2020.
S - Estimates suppressed when the confidence interval around the percentage is greater than or equal to 10 percentage points.
N.A. – Data not available.
A 90 percent confidence interval for each estimate can be found at  Children by household head’s educational attainment.

Definitions: Children living in census tracts with poverty rates of 30 percent or more.

Research indicates that as neighborhood poverty rates increase, undesirable outcomes rise and opportunities for success are less likely. The effects of concentrated poverty begin to appear once neighborhood poverty rates rise above 20 percent and continue to grow as the concentration of poverty increases up to the 40 percent threshold. This indicator defines areas of concentrated poverty as those census tracts with overall poverty rates of 30 percent or more because it is a commonly used threshold that lies between the starting point and leveling off point for negative neighborhood effects. The 2019 federal poverty threshold is $25,926 per year for a family of two adults and two children.

Data Source: Population Reference Bureau analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Decennial Census Summary File 1 and Summary File 3 and the 2006-2010 to 2015–2019 American Community Survey 5-year data.

Footnotes: Updated January 2021.
S - Estimates suppressed when the confidence interval around the percentage is greater than or equal to 10 percentage points.
N.A. – Data not available.
Data is provided for the 50 most populous cities according to the most recent Census counts. Cities for which data is collected may change over time.
A 90 percent confidence interval for each estimate can be found at:  Children living in high poverty areas.