To drive meaningful change for kids and families, we rely on data indicators—specific, measurable pieces of information that show how children are doing across key areas like health, education, and economic stability. One foundational indicator in our KIDS COUNT® data project is the rate at which adolescents report symptoms of anxiety and depression.

One foundational indicator in our KIDS COUNT® data project is the percentage of children and youth in our state who regularly visit their health care provider. Findings from these data can help advocates and policymakers assess and improve our state’s healthcare system by removing accessibility obstacles.

The data in this brief specifically looks at 10th graders who responded to the 2023 Healthy Youth Survey. Findings from the data are provided here to help advocates and policymakers assess the severity of one element of the youth behavioral health crisis in our state.

One foundational indicator in our KIDS COUNT® data project is median family income in Washington state, broken down by race and ethnicity. This data exposes income inequities between racial and ethnic groups and gives advocates and policymakers the insight they need to advance more equitable policies.

One foundational indicator in our KIDS COUNT® data project is the number and percentage of children under 18 in Washington living in families with incomes below the poverty threshold (100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or FPG) as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. This information helps advocates and policymakers understand the degree to which families in Washington are experiencing severe economic hardship and can be used to create policies that address the root causes of poverty and support under-resourced communities with solutions tailored to their specific needs.

Understanding the share of Washington households with children receiving Basic Food helps advocates and policymakers understand the extent of food insecurity in our state and can guide efforts to develop policies that more effectively support families’ access to food.

One key indicator in our KIDS COUNT® data project measures how many children ages 9 to 35 months had a parent who completed a standardized developmental tool. Developmental screenings help identify whether young children are reaching important milestones in areas like thinking, speaking, and moving. Tracking how many children ages 9 to 35 months receive these screenings through a standardized tool shows whether families are getting early support.

One key indicator in our KIDS COUNT® data project is the child provider rate—the median monthly cost child care providers charge families for child care. 'Median' means half of providers charge more than this amount, and half charge less. This measure helps illustrate the cost burden families face and can highlight affordability challenges across counties and income levels.

One key indicator in our KIDS COUNT® data project is the percentage of young children not in school. This brief explores how many children ages 3 and 4 were not enrolled in school—including nursery school, preschool school or kindergarten—during the three months before the data was collected. In this context, "nursery school" and "preschool" include any group or class of institution providing educational experiences for children before kindergarten.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2025 KIDS COUNT® Data Book show’s that Washington leaders must do more to provide the support and resources children need to thrive in school and life.