City-Level Changes
Collectively, the number of children living in the 100 largest cities by child population decreased from 14.2 million in 2010 to 13.9 million in 2020 (a drop of 311,300 kids or 2.2%).
The United States is a wonderfully diverse nation, and its child population represents a kaleidoscope of races and nationalities. For all children to thrive, the basic needs of every young person — from every demographic group — must be met.
This child population report matters because it provides valuable information on demographic changes, such as the declining number of children and its implications for the labor force and education sector. Policymakers can use this information to make informed decisions on investing in children's education to ensure that the nation has enough skilled workers to keep the economy going strong. The report also highlights the disparities in educational outcomes for children of color, emphasizing the need for investment in all children to maximize their employability. Additionally, the report explores the relationship between child population growth and child outcomes, providing insights for policymakers on the best strategies to improve child well-being.
This report — released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation — compares 2020 census results to historical child population data. It explores how the U.S. child population is decreasing in size, increasing in diversity and changing substantially at the state and city levels.
Among the changes highlighted in the publication:
In August 2021, the U.S. Census Bureau released its 2020 census redistricting data files. These files provide detailed racial and Hispanic origin data for the nation’s total population and adult population. Child population data (representing the years from birth to age 17) was calculated by subtracting the relevant adult population count from the total population count.
The previous version of this report — The Changing Child Population: An Analysis of the U.S. Population Under 18 Using Data From the 2010 Census — is still available.
Additional related resources:
One of the biggest stories from the 2020 census is the growing racial and ethnic diversity of children in the United States. Today, children of color represent a 53% majority share of the US child population, and more children than ever before identify as multiracial, non-Hispanic white. Because population trends have strongly influenced the social, economic and demographic fabric of the United States, the shifting child population represents challenges as well as opportunities for policymakers.
For example, a decrease in children means a future decrease in the labor market. This, in turn, marks an increase in the importance of kids’ educational outcomes so that they can become viable workers, creating a greater need for funding education. Learn about this and more in the report.