Tennessee kids' wellbeing has worsened since 2019
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
Children's wellbeing has gotten worse in Tennessee and dozens of other states over the last several years, according to a new report measuring economic, health and community data.
Why it matters: If kids do well, it has a positive downstream effect on nearly every aspect of society, including workforce participation and economic growth. But researchers warn rising costs and safety-net reductions could have the opposite effect.
How it works: The Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2026 Kids Count Data Book released this month measured children's wellbeing using data from 2019-2024.
- The report used those metrics to generate an overall wellness score for each state.
What they found: The overall U.S. wellbeing score measured by the report fell from 553 to 547. Children's wellbeing declined in 29 states and improved in 15 others.
Zoom in: Tennessee ranked 37th out of 50 states overall with a score of 475. Our state was near the bottom of the pack in measurements of economic wellbeing, health and community.
By the numbers: The state had 297,000 children in poverty, or 19%, according to the report, which cited 2024 American Community Survey data. That compares with a rate of 15% nationally.
- The report also noted 441,000 Tennessee children had parents who lacked secure employment. That's a rate of 28%, compared with 25% nationally.
Threat level: Tennessee's child and teen death rate was 38 per 100,000, compared with 27 nationally.
- A state report released in January also noted Tennessee's troubling death rate trend.
The other side: Tennessee's clearest bright spot was education, where it ranked 18th nationally.
The intrigue: Eight of our Southern neighbors improved their statewide scores compared to 2019. South Carolina saw the largest boost in kids' wellbeing of any state during that time.
The bottom line: "Research shows that kids who are healthy, safe, fed, educated and surrounded by strong family relationships have a much better chance to thrive and contribute as independent adults," says Leslie Boissiere, Annie E. Casey Foundation vice president of external affairs.
- "We know that today's children are tomorrow's workforce so the strength of the economy in the future is tied to the wellbeing of kids today," adds Boissiere, who oversees the foundation's Kids Count Data Book.