Indiana kids’ wellbeing ranks highest in past decade

This year's annual national rankings measure improvement in the wellbeing of Indiana children. The 2023 Kids Count Data Book compares all 50 states in measures including economic well-being, education, health and family, and community. Indiana came in at 24 overall.

In the last decade, Indiana children often landed in the lower half of rankings. Indiana Youth Institute President and CEO Tami Silverman says now its time to evaluate the 2023 rankings and determine next steps.

“We’re looking at what does that mean? What does that indicate that we are doing well? And what areas might demonstrate that other states just slid a little behind,” Silverman said.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation provides the data book every year, since 1990. This year, the state’s lowest ranking comes from the Family and Community data – at 31.  Silverman says that category measures numerous wellbeing factors.

“Children living in single parent families, children living in high poverty areas, teen births and then children living in families where the head of household lacks a high school diploma,” Silverman said.

The state also maintained low scores in a few health factors, including the number of low birthweight babies and teen and children deaths.

Indiana did improve in its health ranking, which has historically lagged. And it is also ranked 13 in education data -- that is a category where Indiana usually does the best.

You can find all rankings here. Here are Indiana's rankings:

• 24 in Overall Child Well-Being
• 31 in Family & Community
• 29 in Health
• 16 in Economic Well-Being
• 13 in Education