WalletHub: States With Most Underprivileged Children Ranked

A recent WalletHub study assessed childhood disadvantage across all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia using 25 key indicators related to socioeconomic welfare, health, and education. The report ranked New Mexico as the state with the most underprivileged children, citing high poverty rates, a prevalence of single-parent households, teen depression, and school disengagement. Alaska and Louisiana also ranked poorly due to high rates of child poverty, homelessness, limited health insurance, and low-quality education. In contrast, Utah, Virginia, and New Jersey were among the states with the fewest underprivileged children, with Utah having the lowest rate of single-parent households. The analysis noted that one in seven U.S. children lives in poverty and highlighted the greater effectiveness of some states in addressing these challenges. The findings emphasize persistent disparities in child well-being nationwide and the significant long-term costs of failing to support vulnerable children.