2001
Kids Count Data Book
The
2001 KIDS COUNT Data Book, a state-by-state study that reports
on the well-being of America's children, ranks Massachusetts
4th among all states. For more detailed information,
see
our state's profile page in the 2001 Kids Count Data Book
Online.
For
the 10 indicators measured in the data book between 1990
and 1998, the well-being of Massachusetts' children deteriorated
in three areas and improved in seven. Highlights among these
include:
Massachusetts
child poverty rate grows substantially
Massachusetts saw the third larges jump in the share of
children in poverty among the 50 states between 1990 and
1998. In 1998, 17 percent of the state's children were impoverished,
up 21 percent over the 1990 level of 14 percent. Nationally
this rate remained unchanged at 20 percent during the same
period.
Massachusetts
child death rate best in nation.
Massachusetts witnessed a 45 percent drop in the number
of deaths per 100,000 ages 1-14, falling from a rate of
20 deaths to a rate of 11. The state ranks 1st on this measure.
The nation as a whole improved by 23 percent over this period,
moving from 31 deaths per 100,000 children in 1990 to 24
deaths in 1998.
Rate
of teen deaths declines.
Massachusetts' teen death rate fell by 19 percent between
1990 and 1998, and the state ranks 5th on this measure.
The state experienced 39 deaths per 100,000 teens, ages
15-19, in 1998, down from the 1990 rate of 48 deaths and
well below the national average of 54 deaths. The nation
as a whole improved by 24 percent.
High
school dropout rate improves.
Massachusetts witnessed a 33 percent improvement in the
percent of teens ages 16-19 who dropped out of hight school
between 1990 and 1998. The state's high school dropout rate
fell from 9 percent to 6 percent. The national average is
10 percent.
Percent
of low-birthweight babies rises.
The portion of Massachusetts babies born with a birthweight
of less than 5.5 pounds increased by 17 percent between
1990 and 1998, moving from 5.9 percent to 6.9 percent over
this period. The state still falls below the national average
of 9 percent.
Number
of single-parent families increases.
The percent of Massachusetts families headed by single parents
grew by 4 percent between 1990 and 1998, compared to a national
increase of 13 percent. In 1998, 27 percent of Massachusetts
households were headed by single parents, up from 26 percent
in 1990. Nationally this average grew from 24 percent to
27 percent over that period.
Return
to top.
Go
to 2000 Fact Sheet
Go to 1998 Fact Sheet
Go
to the Massachusetts profile page in the 2001 Kids Count
Data Book Online.
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