INDIANA – Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) released the 2026 Indiana KIDS COUNT® Data Book, which shows Indiana ranks 25th nationally in overall child well-being.
Now in its 32nd year, the Indiana Data Book emphasizes data disaggregation, progress, and data-informed solutions to better understand the strengths and needs of Indiana’s children. The state ranks 31st in Family & Community, 30th in Health, 11th in Economic Well-Being, and 11th in Education, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
As one of 53 KIDS COUNT® affiliates nationwide, the Indiana Data Book offers statewide trends and county-level data designed to give youth‑serving professionals and community leaders timely, reliable information to guide action.
“The latest KIDS COUNT data show that Indiana is building real momentum for our children,” said Dr. Tami Silverman, IYI president and CEO. “We’re seeing meaningful gains in early literacy, stronger graduation rates, and progress in overall child well‑being. These improvements reflect the dedication of youth workers, mentors, teachers, and all the caring adults who support young people every day.”
Key findings from the 2026 Indiana KIDS COUNT® Data Book are summarized below. The full Indiana Data Book is available at iyi.org.
Indiana has the 14th largest child population in the country, with more than 1.59 million children under age 18 in 2023. Youth continue to be more racially and ethnically diverse than adults: 33.4% of children are a race or ethnicity other than White, non-Hispanic, compared to 22.4% of adults.
Education
Indiana ranks 11th nationally in Education compared to other states and 17th last year.
- Early literacy and assessment results show meaningful gains, with IREAD‑3 proficiency rising to 87.3%, up from 82.5% in 2024, matching the highest pass rate in 2019, prior to the pandemic. ILEARN Math improved to 42.1%, and ILEARN ELA held steady at 40.6%, both remaining below pre‑pandemic levels.
- High school outcomes continue to strengthen, as Indiana’s graduation rate increased for the third consecutive year to 91.8% for the Class of 2025, the highest graduation rate on record. SAT Evidence‑Based Reading and Writing benchmark attainment rose nearly 3% to 54.5%.
- Fewer students are going straight to college. As students explore diverse postsecondary options, immediate college enrollment for the Class of 2023 fell to 51.7%, continuing a nine‑year decline. However, 21st Century Scholars enrolled at a much higher rate of 78%.
Health
Indiana ranks 30th nationally in Health compared to other states and 32nd last year.
- Youth mental health indicators show improvement, with reports of persistent sadness decreasing to 29.9% in 2024, down from 35.7% in 2022, and fewer students reporting suicidal thoughts or plans. Indiana’s national ranking for children at risk of depression remained 16th, unchanged from the previous year.
- Suicide remains a critical concern, as youth suicide continues to rank among the leading causes of youth death, and deaths increased from 143 to 152 in 2023.
- Access to care shows mixed progress, with improving health care provider ratios, including a 5.2% gain in mental health provider availability, but 57.7% of caregivers report difficulty obtaining needed mental health services for their child.
“The data tells us this is not a moment to slow down,” Silverman added. “Indiana has the chance to build on this progress and ensure every child has the support they need—whether that’s access to mental health care, reliable nutrition, or safe and connected communities. When we invest in the social infrastructure around youth, we turn today’s progress into long‑term success.”
According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Indiana ranks 31st nationally in Family & Community compared to other states and 31st last year. Indiana ranks 11th nationally in Economic Well-Being compared to other states and 18th last year.
Due to delays in the release of the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020–2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 5‑year estimates, Indiana Youth Institute was unable to update indicators in the Family & Community and Economic Well‑Being domains for this edition of the 2026 Indiana KIDS COUNT Data Book. An updated second edition of the Data Book with refreshed ACS‑based measures will be released in the spring.
IYI will host State of the Child events across Indiana from February through May 2026. These local sessions will share county-level child well‑being data and provide tools to support data-driven action.
To register for the statewide State of the Child webinar on February 18, 2026, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET, or for in‑person events from March through May, visit iyi.org/events.
About Indiana Youth Institute
Indiana Youth Institute’s mission is to improve the lives of all Indiana children by strengthening and connecting the people, organizations, and communities that are focused on kids and youth. IYI is Indiana’s premier source for high-quality data on child well-being and data-informed action to challenges facing Hoosier children. To learn more, visit www.iyi.org.
About Indiana Youth Institute and the KIDS COUNT® Network
IYI produces the Indiana KIDS COUNT® Data Book as part of a national network of state-level projects coordinated and supported by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Some data from this book will also be included in the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s national KIDS COUNT® Data Book, which provides state-by-state comparisons of child well-being and will be released in June 2026.
