Indiana children still rank below average in overall well-being, but the numbers are improving.
According to the 2016 Kids Count Data Book, an annual report released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Indiana moved up two spots from 2015 -- from No. 32 to No. 30.
The ranking focuses on four factors: economic well-being, education, health and family and community.
The top five states for 2016 are (from 1-5):
- Minnesota
- Massachusetts
- Iowa
- New Hampshire
- Connecticut
The bottom five are (from 46-50):
- Alabama
- Nevada
- Louisiana
- New Mexico
- Mississippi
Indiana ranks No. 23 in education, No. 24 in economic well-being, No. 31 for child health and No. 32 for family and community.
A higher percentage of Indiana children had health insurance in 2014 than in 2008, 93 to 90.
“It’s encouraging to see Indiana move up in the overall child well-being, education and child health rankings,” says Tami Silverman, president and CEO of the Indiana Youth Institute. “When we see improvements in these key areas, it means there is hope for a brighter future for our youth, our state and all Hoosiers.”
