The 2024 Texas Kids Count Data Book highlights the state of child well-being across Texas with a focus on health, education, and economic security. According to the 2024 Annie E Casey Foundation Kids Count data book, Texas ranks 43rd in the U.S. in overall child well-being. The Annie E Casey Foundation’s data book tracks state context, including policy priorities and financial investments, which play an important role in determining outcomes that measure well-being. These outcomes are also tracked in the Texas edition. The 2024 Texas Kids Count data book reveals that while there are some positive trends across well-being indicators, legislators must do more to address the disproportionate challenges faced by children of color, those living in poverty, and Texan families with limited access to health care and educational resources.
Health
Gaps in Access Threaten Child Well-Being
Access to health care remains a pressing issue for Texas children. Texas’ rate of uninsured children is more than twice the national rate. Additionally, kids under 6 face higher rates of being uninsured (9%), nearly double the national rate of 5%.
In Texas, nearly one in four children — about 1.7 million — experience food insecurity, a pressing issue that worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the height of the crisis, after-school meal programs became a lifeline for many families. Texas provided 543,829 after-school meals in 2020 to help ease the burden. However, these numbers have since plummeted, with only 242,660 meals served during the 2023-2024 school year. This sharp decline coincides with Texas’ decision to opt out of a $450 million national summer lunch program for low-income families, leaving 3.8 million eligible children without additional support, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Addressing food insecurity among Texas children demands renewed investment and commitment to these vital programs.
Education
Investing In Our Future
Gaps in educational achievement reflect significant challenges in the state’s educational system. Underfunded schools, teacher shortages, and limited access to early education programs hinder student achievement, widen educational disparities, and weaken the foundation for long-term success in Texas.
In spring 2024, only 49% of third graders met grade-level reading standards, with Black students experiencing the lowest proficiency rates, followed by Hispanic, Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaska Native, and multiracial students. These gaps reinforce the need for targeted interventions to support the most vulnerable student populations in achieving academic success.
Math proficiency rates paint an equally concerning picture overall but also vary by student groups. In spring 2024, 41% of all third graders met grade-level math standards. Only 38% of economically disadvantaged students met the state’s math standards, alongside 41% of Emergent Bilingual and English Learner students. The challenges are even more pronounced for students in special education — where only 20% met math standards — and for “at-risk” students.
Investing in our state’s education system means investing in each student’s unique pathway towards academic success. Support programs tailored to different student groups are one of the many ways policymakers can help secure a strong and thriving workforce for the state.
Economic Security
Financial Barriers for Texas Families
Texas continues to have a higher child poverty rate than the national average. While 16% of children across the country live in poverty, that number rises to 18% in Texas — impacting approximately 1.37 million children. Though this marks a decline from previous years, far too many Texas children are still facing economic hardship. Texans need sustained investments in policies that support their families and reduce poverty.
When we disaggregate poverty data, we see the stark racial and ethnic differences in child poverty. Hispanic and Latino children, who make up 48% of the child population, account for 64% of all children living in poverty. Black children, comprising 12% of the total child population, represent 18% of children living in poverty. Non-Hispanic white children account for 13% of those living in poverty.
Other findings in the data book demonstrate that many households in Texas are burdened with housing costs, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing–related expenses. Housing cost burden is an indicator that reflects on Texas’ affordability crisis. In 2022, 47% of Black or African American children and 36% of Hispanic/Latino children lived in households facing high housing cost burdens, compared to 33% of all children. Housing security is important for a child’s educational success. It provides stability that enables children to focus on learning, stay engaged in school, and develop healthy social and emotional skills. When families struggle to afford housing, they may face frequent moves, overcrowding, or even homelessness —all disruptions that can negatively impact academic performance and well-being. Addressing the crisis through policies that expand access to affordable housing, rental assistance, and homeownership opportunities is essential to ensure that all Texas children have the stable foundation they need to thrive.
Policy Solutions Toward a Stronger Future
The 2024 Texas Kids Count Data Book emphasizes the need for comprehensive policy reforms including:
- Expand and Protect Health Care Access – Restore Medicaid and CHIP coverage for eligible children and simplify enrollment procedures to prevent unnecessary coverage loss.
- Improve School Funding and Early Education Access – Invest in full-day pre-K programs, reduce student-teacher ratios, and increase funding for literacy and math interventions.
- Strengthen Economic Security for Families – Raise the minimum wage, expand paid leave protections, and increase rental assistance programs to prevent evictions and homelessness.
- Enhance School-Based Mental Health Services – Provide more resources for counseling and crisis intervention, ensuring students have access to support systems.
- Increase Access to Nutrition Programs – Remove barriers to SNAP enrollment and expand school meal programs to combat food insecurity in high-need regions.
Texas Kids Deserve Better
Texas cannot afford to continue neglecting the health, education, and economic security of its children any longer. Persistent disparities will continue to affect families unless meaningful legislative changes are made. Investing in Texas children today ensures a stronger, more equitable future for the state.
At Every Texan, we are committed to advocating for policies that create equal opportunities for all children, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background. We urge legislators, advocates, and community leaders to push for reforms that provide every child with the foundation for success.
Visit Every Texan’s Kids Count homepage to read the full 2024 Texas Kids Count Data Book. Explore the Kids Count Data Hub to find more information about your local community.