Ohio Ranks 27th in Nation for Child Well-Being, New Report Finds

Ohio ranks 27th in the nation for child well-being, according to the newly released 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

The annual report examines how children are faring across all 50 states using measures tied to economic well-being, education, health and family and community factors.

This year, Ohio received an overall score of 569, which is above the national average score of 547. The state maintained a middle-of-the-pack ranking but continues to face challenges in several key areas, particularly education.

There were some encouraging trends. Ohio’s child poverty rate dropped from 18 percent in 2019 to 16 percent in 2024. The state’s on-time high school graduation rate also improved, climbing from 82 percent to 88 percent over the same period.

However, the report found that academic performance remains a concern. Eighth-grade math proficiency fell from 38 percent in 2019 to 32 percent in 2024, making education Ohio’s lowest-scoring category.

The report also noted that about 8 percent of babies born in Ohio have a low birth weight, while roughly 1.4 million Ohio children are enrolled in Medicaid. In addition, nearly 14 percent of children receive SNAP food assistance benefits.

For the first time, the KIDS COUNT report assigned states a numerical score in addition to a ranking. Researchers say the new scoring system provides a clearer picture of whether conditions for children are improving over time.

Children’s advocates say the findings highlight both progress and ongoing challenges. They point to improvements in poverty and graduation rates as positive signs, while emphasizing the need for continued investment in education, healthcare and family support services.

The annual KIDS COUNT Data Book is widely used by policymakers, educators and community leaders to help identify trends and guide decisions affecting children and families.

While Ohio remains near the middle of the national rankings, advocates say the report shows there is still work to do to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive.