The number of children in poverty in Tennessee increased more than twice as fast as the national average according to the Kids Count Data Book released today. Kids Count ranks the welfare of children and teens in each state using Census Bureau statistics.
The report shows that child poverty rates in the state increased 15% versus 6% nationwide.
Tennessee fared worse in four of the 10 categories, especially those dealing with children in tough economic situations, like those with parents who lack stable employment.
The state showed marked improvements in five categories dealing with teens, including high school dropout rates which improved by 45% from 2000 to 2006.
Pam Brown, Tennessee Kids Count director, says public policy seems to be focused on teens rather than younger children, which might explain the discrepancy in improvement between the age groups.
“Growing healthy children who in turn are going to be healthy young adults and who are going to bear healthy children is a process, and until we start to have negative outcomes a lot of times our attention doesn’t focus on a particular indicator.”
Overall, Tennessee improved its rank this year, moving up one position to 42nd.
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