How California Kids Are Faring

A snapshot of how California’s children are doing in several key measures, when compared with the rest of the nation. The lower the ranking, the better off the state is.

Infant mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 births)

California: 7

Nation: 8

Where California Ranks: 13th

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Child death rate (ages 1-14, deaths per 100,000)

California: 26

Nation: 29

Where California Ranks: 16th

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Rate of teen deaths by accident, homicide or suicide (ages 15-19, deaths per 100,000)

California: 72

Nation: 69

Where California Ranks: 26th

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Teen birth rate (births per 1,000 females, ages 15-17)

California: 46

Nation: 38

Where California Ranks: 40th

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Juvenile violent crime arrests (arrests per 100,000 youths ages 10-17)

California: 651

Nation: 517

Where California Ranks: 45th

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Percent of teens who are high school dropouts (16-19)

California: 10

Nation: 9

Where California Ranks: 31st

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Percent of children in poverty

California: 25

Nation: 21

Where California Ranks: 41st

States With the Best Marks

Infant mortality: Rhode Island, 5 per 1,000 births

Child death rate: Massachusetts, 17 per 100,000

Teen deaths: Rhode Island, 19 per 100,000

Teen birth rate: New Hampshire, North Dakota, 15 per 1,000

Juvenile crime: Vermont, 40 per 100,000

Dropout rate: Connecticut, 3% of those 16-19

Poverty rate: New Hampshire, 9%

Source: The Annie E. Casey Foundation