News Update

California children struggled with poverty before the pandemic, says report

Many California children faced economic hardship even before the pandemic hit, according to the 2021 Kids Count Data Book released this week.

About 16% of children in California lived below the poverty line in 2019, which explains why the state ranked 43 out of 50 states in terms of economic well-being. In terms of education, California ranked 36th. In a bright spot, the state nabbed the 11th spot for health.  In terms of overall childhood well-being, the state was ranked 33rd in the nation. 

The 50-state report compares data from 2010 and 2019, ranking states on standards including economic well-being, education, health and family and community. Based on the findings, advocates say that certain public policy initiatives, such as the expanded tax credit, could help families recover from the public health crisis.

“The Covid-19 crisis has brought many families to the breaking point, especially parents and caregivers who have lost jobs and income,” said Lisa Hamilton, president of the Baltimore-based Annie E. Casey Foundation, which produces the annual report. “Making the expanded child tax credit permanent will continue providing critical financial support for families who are struggling to make ends meet and help reduce long-standing disparities that affect millions of families of color.”


Latest updates: