South Carolina Kids Count
South Carolina improved its child wellbeing ranking from 45th in 2002 to 42nd in 2003 among all states, according to the 2003 KIDS COUNT Data Book. Between 1990 and 2000, the wellbeing of children in South Carolina improved on six indicators, stayed the same on two indicators, and worsened for low birthweight and single-parent families.
Birth problems in South Carolina remain among the worst in the nation. South Carolina's most distressing rankings are for low birthweight (47th) and infant mortality (45th). Over the last decade, the low birthweight rate increased from 8.7% to 9.7%. The infant mortality rate decreased substantially from 11.7 per 1000 to 8.7 per 1000, but remains substantially above the 6.9 per 1000 national average.
Births to teens decline substantially. During the 1990s, the rate of births to teens ages 15-19 declined by one-quarter from 47 per 1000 in 1990 to 35 per 1000 in 2000. Despite the significant progress, South Carolina ranked 41st.
More children live in single-parent families. In 2000, there were 133,000 families with children headed by a single parent. These were 29% of all families with children, up from 25% in 1990.
Child and teen death rates improve. Between 1990 and 2000, the rate of deaths of children ages 1-14 declined by 34%. The death rate for teens ages 15-19 declined by 12% over the decade of the 1990s. Despite these improvements, child and teen death rates in South Carolina ranked 39th and 41st respectively.
Poverty and parental unemployment decline. During the 1990s the child poverty rate declined from 21% to 19%, while the percentage of children in families lacking full-time, year-round employment fell from 30% to 27%. South Carolina ranked 36th on both indicators.
CONTACTS:
Baron Holmes
803-898-9928
baron.holmes@ors.sc.gov