An estimated 527,180 children passed through the foster care system in 2023. This number represents the number of children who were already in the system at the beginning of the federal fiscal year, and the children who entered or exited foster care as of September 30, 2022. On the last day of the fiscal year, 343,077 children remained in foster care.
Foster care is intended to provide a temporary stable home for children who cannot safely remain in their current situations due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. The federal foster care program, known as title IV-E, funds services that are managed locally — in 50 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and tribes with approved title IV-E plans.
How has the number of children in foster care changed?
Over the last two decades, the number of children in foster care has declined each year, with the exception of a five-year span between 2013–2018.
In 1998, an estimated 559,000 children were in the foster care system on the last day of the fiscal year.
2023 data shows a 39% decrease since 1998, with roughly 343,077 kids in foster care. In the last decade, from 2014–2023, the average number of kids in foster care was 407,576.
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What are the demographics of kids in foster care?
In 2023, white children made up 66% (76.4k) of kids in foster care. Black and Hispanic children accounted for 22% (38.7k) and 21% (36.4k), respectively. The remaining 14% of foster care kids identified as:
- Two or more races: 9%, or 14.9k
- American Indian/Alaska Native: 2%, or 4.0k
- Abandoned, declined, or unknown: 2%, or 3.2k
- Asian: 1%, or 992
- Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander: 0%, or 443
- Missing race/ethnicity: 0%, or 326
How old are kids in foster care?
In the early 2000s, youth ages 15–20 were the most represented age group in foster care. Between 2003–2010, this age group averaged 28% of all kids in care. By 2022, this group has trended downward, representing 19% of foster kids.
Children ages 1–4 have been the most prevalent foster care age group since 2011. In 2022, they made up 28% of all kids in foster care.
The percentage of infants has remained steady over the last decade, representing 7% of foster care kids.
Which states have the most kids in foster care?
California, Florida, and Illinois had the most kids in foster care in 2023:
- California: 43,095 (most populous state)
- Florida: 20,177 (third most populous state)
- Illinois: 19,387 (sixth most populous state)
When adjusted for population, West Virginia led the nation with 1,270.0 kids in care per 100,000 residents under age 25. Alaska was second at 1,051.3, and Maine was third with 686.9.
New Jersey, Utah, and Texas had the fewest foster care kids per 100,000 residents: 100.2, 137, and 172.8 kids, respectively.
Where does this data come from?
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) set up the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis Reporting System (AFCARS) to collect foster care and adoption data from each of the title IV-E jurisdictions. The program tracks the number of children who enter and exit foster care, who are adopted, and who are waiting to be adopted.
The program also reports the number of children in foster care after their parents’ parental rights were terminated as of the last day of the fiscal year. In 2023, that number was 48,459.
To report suspected child abuse or neglect, call or text the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). Professional crisis counselors are available 24/7 days a week, in over 170 languages. All calls are confidential. For more information, visit childwelfare.gov
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Page sources and methodology
All of the data on the page was sourced directly from government agencies. The analysis and final review was performed by USAFacts.
Department of Health and Human Services
Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS)
Census Bureau
State Population by Characteristics 2023
