According to new analysis of recent U.S. census data by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, children make up the smallest ever share of the national population. The report finds the child population was 73 million in 2020, down from more than 74 million 10 years ago.
Despite the overall decrease, the analysis noted an increase in racial diversity among children, especially in New Jersey, where nearly 58% of the population accounts for children of color — a 10% increase from 2010.
Peter Chen, senior policy analyst with the New Jersey Policy Perspective think tank, discusses the implication of the data for children and the future of the country.
“Kids are coming in with a really diverse array of backgrounds and experiences that they’re bringing into the public school system and into the public health system,” Chen said. “It’s really important that we have cultural competence across all these areas.”
