BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—With August being Child Support Awareness Month and 1 in 6 children in the U.S. living in poverty, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on the states with the most underprivileged children in 2024. The report, accompanied by expert commentary, highlights the areas where improvements are needed to better the conditions for our nation’s youth.
WalletHub’s comprehensive analysis compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 25 key metrics. These metrics range from the share of children in households with below-poverty income to the share of maltreated children, as well as rates of child mortality and food insecurity.
Ohio’s Rankings in Child Welfare (1=Most; 25=Avg.):
- Overall Rank: 16th
- 15th – Percentage of Children in Households with Below-Poverty Income
- 23rd – Percentage of Maltreated Children
- 12th – Child Food-Insecurity Rate
- 28th – Percentage of Uninsured Children
- 8th – Infant Mortality Rate
- 20th – Percentage of Children in Foster Care
- 13th – Percentage of Children in Single-Parent Families
- 27th – Child & Youth Homeless Rate
The report underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions and policies to address the disparities faced by underprivileged children. Ohio’s ranking reflects both areas of concern and progress, with notable strengths in reducing infant mortality but challenges in child and youth homelessness.
As Child Support Awareness Month continues, community leaders and policymakers are urged to focus on these critical issues to ensure a brighter future for all children.
For more information and to view the full report, visit WalletHub’s website.