NEWARK, N.J. — As participation figures return to pre-pandemic levels, enrollment in NJ FamilyCare, the state’s Medicaid program, fell by more than 100,000 children between 2023 and 2025. Although New Jersey maintains an overall child uninsured rate of 4%, rates in Union (8%) and Essex (7%) counties are nearly double the state average, with Passaic (6%), Hudson (5%), and Mercer (5%) also on the rise.

Visit acnj.org to download NJ Kids Count 2026 report.

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) reveals a sobering look at the health and education struggles facing our children with the release of its annual county-by-county data snapshot, NJ Kids Count 2026: The State of Our Counties. The data book highlights trends in child well-being across all 21 counties in the areas of demographics, family economic security, child health, child protection, early learning, education, and teens.

"When New Jersey resumed annual Medicaid eligibility renewals in April 2023, many families on NJ FamilyCare were disenrolled — some returned to work and thus no longer met the income requirements, others may have been the result of administrative hurdles like incomplete paperwork or outdated contact information. The rising uninsured rates we see in pockets throughout the state tell us that children are falling through the cracks, and that is unacceptable,” said Coogan. “With state budget negotiations underway in the legislature, we must remind lawmakers that their decisions will have a direct and lasting impact on the health and well-being of New Jersey's children. Behind every statistic is a child whose trajectory may be shaped by access to healthcare, quality schools, and a stable home.”

The report also highlights persistent racial inequities in maternal and infant health outcomes in the state.

Prenatal Care: Although 85% of White women received early prenatal care in 2023, that number drops to just 62% and 63% for Black and Hispanic women, respectively. The statewide average was 75%, no change from the previous year.

Preterm Births: Black infants are born preterm at a rate of 12.9%, significantly higher than the state average of 9.3%.

Low Birthweights: Similarly, 12.9% of Black babies are born with low birthweights, compared to 6.0% of White babies. At the state level, the percentage is 7.8%.

Infant Mortality: Black infants die before their first birthday at a rate of 8.1 per 1,000 live births —more than double the state rate of 3.5.

There is encouraging progress. The number of Medicaid-approved doulas more than doubled from 80 in 2023 to 189 in 2025, and more families are receiving intensive home visitation services that provide support starting before and/or immediately after birth.

In the area of education, there is a stark contrast between New Jersey’s success in preschool expansion and the ongoing struggle in academic achievement:

Preschool Expansion: A total of 66,419 3- and 4-year-olds were enrolled in state-funded preschool for the 2024-25 school year, a 14% increase since 2022-23. The expansion was driven in part by Governor Murphy’s efforts to bring universal pre-K to more school districts.

"New Jersey has been a national leader in preschool for nearly 30 years, and this expansion shows what sustained investment can achieve. But more seats alone is not the finish line. The next chapter must strengthen the mixed-delivery model between school districts and community-based providers — ensuring families can choose the early learning setting that’s right for their child, whether that is a public school classroom or a trusted child care center in their neighborhood. It must reflect the unique needs of communities across the state and support thoughtful planning across the full birth-to-school-age continuum," said Coogan.

Academic Achievement: Academic performance is trending upward, but roughly half of all 3rd graders are not meeting proficiency in reading or math.

The percentage of 3rd graders meeting or exceeding expectations on the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) rose to 45% in English Language Arts (ELA) and 50% in math in 2024-25, up from 44% and 48% the prior year. Significant county-level disparities persist, however: in ELA, proficiency among 3rd graders ranges from a high of 60% in Bergen County to just 20% in Cumberland.

Among 8th graders, ELA proficiency climbed to 57% from 53%, and math proficiency to 21% from 19%. That means that only one in five 8th graders is meeting or exceeding proficiency in math.
The median family income with children in New Jersey rose to $130,331 in 2020–24, a 25% increase over the prior five-year period — reflecting growth across all 21 counties. But the range is striking: median income for families with children spans from $69,962 in Cumberland County to $195,471 in Somerset County, a gap of more than $125,000.

Roughly 13% of New Jersey children — approximately 261,439 — live below the federal poverty level, which was $31,812 for a family of four in 2024. Food insecurity remains a significant concern, with an estimated 271,650 children food insecure statewide in 2023.

More Numbers at a Glance
Demographics: More than 2 million (2,044,983) children under age 18 live in New Jersey; one in four is under age 5. The child population is diverse: 42% White, 31% Hispanic, 13% Black, and 10% Asian.

Foreign-Born Mothers: In 2023, 36% of all births in New Jersey were to foreign-born mothers. In Hudson (56%), Middlesex (53%), and Mercer (50%) counties, at least half of all births were to foreign-born mothers.

Child Care Need and Capacity: 72% of all parents of children under age 6 are in the workforce. The number of licensed child care centers grew slightly from 4,075 in 2023 to 4,111 in 2025.
Housing: Nearly half (49%) of New Jersey households spent 30% or more of their income on rent during the 2020-2024 period.

School Meals: During the 2025-26 school year, of the 428,936 students who received school lunch, 58% also received school breakfast. A closer look reveals participation levels vary from 31% (Hunterdon) to 72% (Essex) in receiving a morning meal.

Mental Health Access: Total calls to PerformCare, the state's portal for children's behavioral health services, decreased by 9% between 2023 and 2024, with 122,086 calls received in the latter year.

Teens: Approximately 23,861 or 5% of New Jersey youth ages 16-19 are currently "disconnected," meaning they are neither working nor enrolled in school.

ACNJ is hosting a free webinar on Tuesday, May 5 at 10:00 AM to further explore the data in the 2026 Kids Count Pocket Guide. After the presentation, former Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter will share her reflections on what the data reveal and what must change to improve outcomes for New Jersey's children. This is also an opportunity for attendees to come together and discuss how to move beyond the numbers and improve life outcomes for every child in the Garden State.
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ABOUT ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN OF NEW JERSEY (ACNJ)
Advocates for Children of New Jersey (acnj.org) is the trusted, independent voice putting children’s needs first for more than 45 years. Our work results in better laws and policies, more effective funding and stronger services for children and families. And it means that more children are given the chance to grow up safe, healthy, and educated. ACNJ is also a proud partner of the Start Strong NJ campaign for affordable child care. For more information, visit www.startstrongnj.org.