Summary

Today, the number of children (under age 18) in the United States is at an all-time high of 74.2 million. But, the percentage of the U.S. population who are under 18 is at an all time low of 24%. Based on data from the 2010 census, we find that while there is a small increase in the number of children under 18 in the US, the rate at which that population is growing has slowed dramatically over the past 20 years.

All of the growth in the U.S. child population since 2000 has been among groups other than non-Hispanic whites. Children of mixed race grew at a faster rate than any other group over the past decade, from 1.9 million in 2000 to 2.8 million in 2010 (a 46% increase). The number of Hispanic children grew by 4.8 million (or 39%) between 2000 and 2010, and the number of non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander children grew by nearly 800,000 (or 31%).

Changes in the child population by state ranged from a 30% increase in Nevada to a 12% decrease in Vermont and the District of Columbia. The number of minority (other than non-Hispanic white) children grew in every state except New York, Louisiana and Washington, D.C., and nearly three-quarters of the child population in the 100 largest cities belong to a racial or Hispanic minority group.

The recent demographic changes in the under 18 population hold many implications for the country’s future. The racial/Hispanic composition of this country is changing and children are leading the way. Download this report today to learn more about the changing demographics of the United States and its implications, based on data from the 2010 Census.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaway

Changes in the number of children in the United States