2025 Kids Count Data Book
Nevada Loses Ground in 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book as Children’s Advocacy Alliance Urges Focus on
Health and Economic Well-Being
Contact: Chip Carter | marketing@caanv.org | (818) 679-6573
The Annie E. Casey Foundation compiles data that shows that health and economic well-being indicators are down in Nevada, affecting child well-being.
Las Vegas— For the second year in a row, Nevada’s data indicators in health and economic well-being have dropped, according to the 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book, a 50-state report of recent data developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation analyzing how kids are faring in post-pandemic America. The data show Nevada leaders must do more to address the continuing physical and emotional health needs of our children, as well as securing them economically.
The Data Book ranks Nevada 47th overall among all 50 states. Indicators in education, and family remained the same. However, key indicators, like the percent of fourth graders who score below their reading proficiency levels did improve, showing successes in the state. Among family and community indicators, the number of children in high-poverty areas saw a decrease.
It’s also clear that other indicators, like infants with low birthweight and children and teen deaths, show where we need targeted support for Nevada families. Increased housing costs and parents who lack job stability also increased for Nevada unlike the national average.
“Nevada’s community leaders are working hard every day to support kids and families, but real change takes all of us,” said Dr. Tara Raines, Deputy Director of the Children’s Advocacy Alliance, Nevada’s KIDS COUNT partner. “While we made progress this session, we didn’t see the level of investment in early childhood systems that we had hoped for. These are the very systems that could have moved the needle for young children and improved our overall child well-being rankings. If we want Nevada’s kids to thrive, we have to be bold and committed in our actions, not just in our intentions.”
Studies show that kids need to grow up healthy and connected so they can thrive as adults: Stable homes, strong schools, nutritious food, meaningful relationships and opportunities to learn, play and grow. Programs that meet these needs are smart investments, fostering long-term gains like employment and economic growth.
Each year, the Data Book presents national and state data from 16 indicators in four domains — economic well-being, education, health, and family and community factors — and ranks the states according to how children are faring overall.
This year, CAA will release the Nevada Child and Family Databook, at their annual breakfast, “Champions for Change: Celebrating Impact, Centering Data,” along with the Human Services Network’s Awards program, on Wednesday, August 14th at the Whitney Ranch Hotel in Reno, NV. The Nevada Child and Family Data Book is a statewide resource that tracks key indicators of child well-being across areas like education, health, economic stability, and child welfare. It provides policymakers, advocates, and community members with reliable data to inform decisions, highlight disparities, and drive systems-level change for Nevada’s children and families. Copies of the databook and the Kids Count Data Book will be supplied to all attendees. Please visit caanv.org for more information.
In its 36th year of publication, the KIDS COUNT® Data Book provides reliable statewide numbers to help leaders see where progress is being made, where greater support is needed and which strategies are making a difference. CAA encourages lawmakers and officials in Nevada to use this detailed information to unite across party lines and respond with initiatives that invest in young people. By offering a local road map, the Data Book equips policymakers, advocates and communities with the information they need to make decisions that help kids and young people thrive.
“We believe in Nevada and in our shared commitment to the next generation,” Raines said. “Our kids can’t wait, we have to invest in them now if we want to see real, lasting change. Their future depends on what we choose to do today.”
About the Children’s Advocacy Alliance of Nevada
The Children’s Advocacy Alliance is an independent voice for Nevada’s children, advancing systemic change in early childhood education, health, and child welfare. Through collaboration and collective impact, CAA works to ensure every child in Nevada thrives.
The 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book will be available at www.aecf.org/databook. Additional information is available at www.aecf.org/databook. Journalists interested in creating maps, graphs and rankings in stories about the Data Book can use the KIDS COUNT Data Center at datacenter.aecf.org.
ABOUT THE ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION
The Annie E. Casey Foundation creates a brighter future for the nation’s young people by developing solutions to strengthen families, build paths to economic opportunity and transform struggling communities into safer and healthier places to live, work and grow. For more information, visit www.aecf.org. KIDS COUNT is a registered trademark of the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
