Politics & Government

Michigan Sees Minimal Growth in Kids Count Rankings

Annual report indicates action is needed to improve the status of the state's children.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to accurately reflect the number of kids living in high-poverty neighborhoods in Michigan.

This story was written by Julianne Pitcher.
Because of a rise in child poverty, Michigan's position dropped to last among the Great Lakes states in the annual Kids Count report on child well-being, but inched up one notch overall in the country.  

Released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, this year’s report indicates that Michigan ranks 31st in overall child well-being, behind Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana. Although this is one slot up from last year, experts say it proves Michigan has a lot of work to do. 

While the report ranks states in four categories, Michigan ranks 36th in Economic Well-Being, 32nd in Education, 23rd in Health, and 27th in Family and Community.

Michigan ranks in the bottom 10 states, 43rd, for children living in high-poverty neighborhoods, with 350,000 kids living in neighborhoods where more than 30 percent of residents depend on an income below poverty level, which is $22,811 for a family of four. Michigan also ranks 37th for the 35 percent of children living in
homes where no parent has full-time, year-round employment.

In addition to this information, the report shows that Michigan was successful in a few areas.  Michigan ranks 4th in providing health insurance for children through private insurance and the state Medicaid and MIChild programs, leaving only 4 percent of Michigan children uninsured. The state also ranks 15th for having only 10 percent of children living in families where the head of household lacks a high school diploma, compared to the national average of 15 percent. 

Judy Putnam, spokesperson for the Kids Count in Michigan project at the Michigan League for Public Policy, said, “This shows that where we have the will to do something, we can find a way. Investing in our kids’ health will pay off in the future. In the same way, expanding eligibility for working poor adults will help their parents stay healthy and on the job.” 

What can be done, community by community, to help Michigan raise its overall ranking? Tell us in comments.


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