FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2025
Contact: Laura Ross | lauramr@mlpp.org | 517-281-1084
Michigan ranks 33rd in the newly released 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book as the Annie E. Casey Foundation urges stronger focus on supporting thriving kids and families
The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s data show that Michigan’s education ranking is down, while the state’s health ranking has held steady
LANSING, MICHIGAN — Michigan ranks 33rd in the nation when it comes to overall child well-being and is continuing to fall short in its national education ranking, dropping from 41st to 44th over the past year, according to the 2025 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, which was released today. This 50-state report of recent data developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation analyzes how kids are faring in America. The data show Michigan leaders must do more to ensure Michigan children are able to thrive both at home and in their classrooms.
Michigan saw a 10% increase in both the percentage of fourth graders not proficient in reading and the percentage of eighth graders not proficient in math from 2019 to 2024. And there was a 6% increase in the share of young children not in school when looking at data from 2014–2018 compared to data from 2019–2023. It should be noted, however, that the impact of Michigan’s Great Start Readiness Program on school enrollment since 2023 is not factored into this data.
“Education has consistently been our lowest ranking domain among the four key domains that the Annie E. Casey Foundation evaluates, pointing to the continued, urgent need for our state leaders to do more to support Michigan students,” said Monique Stanton, President and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy — Michigan’s member of the Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT network. “Continuing to target school funding with an eye toward equity, while also maintaining universal free school meals, investing adequate funding in student mental health and expanding access to affordable early childhood education are all essential to ensuring we are meeting Michigan kids where they are and setting them up for improved educational outcomes and brighter, healthier futures. Speaking out against federal threats to education is also vital to ensuring our schools stay strong and are able to meet the needs of every student that comes through their doors. Dismantling the U.S. Department of Education would remove protections for thousands of students in Michigan, especially those from low-income households and those receiving special education services.”
Each year, the Data Book presents national and state data from 16 indicators in four domains — economic well-being, education, health, and family and community factors — and ranks the states according to how children are faring overall.
In its 36th year of publication, the KIDS COUNT® Data Book provides reliable statewide numbers to help leaders see where progress is being made, where greater support is needed and which strategies are making a difference. The Michigan League for Public Policy encourages lawmakers and officials in Michigan to use this detailed information to unite across party lines and respond with initiatives that invest in young people. By offering a local road map, the Data Book equips policymakers, advocates and communities with the information they need to make decisions that help kids and young people thrive.
While Michigan continued to fare poorly in terms of its national education ranking, the state’s best ranking continued to be in health, holding steady at 22nd. A major contributor in Michigan’s national health ranking is the large share of children who are covered by health insurance in the state. Thanks in large part to continuous enrollment in Medicaid during the pandemic, Michigan saw nearly 12,000 fewer children without health insurance. However, recent threats to Medicaid, including attempts to dismantle or restrict eligibility, threaten to undo these improvements.
And while Michigan’s family and community ranking did slightly worsen, dropping from 28th in 2024 to 29th in 2025, the state saw the most improvement in this area. Notably, Michigan saw a 21% decline in the percentage of children living in high-poverty areas from 2014–2018 to 2019–2023 and a 27% decline in the teen birth rate from 2019 to 2023, the latter of which follows a decades-long national trend. The steady decline in teen births both nationally and here in Michigan is a major public health success story that should be lauded, as it has helped to mitigate the long-term health and economic consequences that often come with teenage childbearing.
In terms of economic well-being, Michigan ranks 28th according to the latest national KIDS COUNT data, which is a slight improvement over the previous year’s ranking; however, the state did not see many notable changes in this area. Michigan’s child poverty rate remained at 17.6%, 1 in 4 Michigan children live with parents who lack secure employment and 1 in 4 Michigan children live in a household burdened by high housing costs.
“While there were some bright spots in this year’s national data from the Casey Foundation, there are also ample opportunities for our state and federal lawmakers to be doing more for kids and families in our state,” said Stanton. “We know what kids need to grow up healthy and connected so they can thrive as adults: Stable homes, strong schools, nutritious food, meaningful relationships and opportunities to learn, play and grow. Programs that meet these needs are smart investments, fostering long-term gains like employment and economic growth. We encourage Michigan leaders and lawmakers alike to use both the national KIDS COUNT data and the state data we will be releasing later this year in informing smart policy and budget decisions that prioritize the well-being and futures of our state’s youngest residents,” said Stanton.
“By staying grounded in data and driven by what children and families say they need, we can help ensure that all young people have the chance to thrive and contribute meaningfully as adults, helping to grow our future workforce, reduce long-term social and economic costs and build a stronger society for everyone,” said Lisa Lawson, president and CEO of the Casey Foundation.
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RELEASE INFORMATION
The 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book and additional information is available at www.aecf.org/databook. Journalists interested in creating maps, graphs and rankings in stories about the Data Book can use the KIDS COUNT Data Center at datacenter.aecf.org.
ABOUT THE ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION
The Annie E. Casey Foundation creates a brighter future for the nation’s young people by developing solutions to strengthen families, build paths to economic opportunity and transform struggling communities into safer and healthier places to live, work and grow. For more information, visit www.aecf.org. KIDS COUNT is a registered trademark of the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
MEDIA INTERVIEWS
Kids Count in Michigan Policy Director Anne Kuhnen is available for media interviews to discuss the Michigan data just released in the 2025 KIDS COUNT® Data Book. If interested in setting up an interview, please contact Communications Director Laura Ross at lauramr@mlpp.org or 517-281-1084.
Jay Cutler joined the League in March 2026 as the Kids Count Senior Data Analyst, where he collects, analyzes, and prepares data for Kids Count in Michigan.
Danielle Taylor-Basemore joined the League as the Development Data and Stewardship Coordinator in June 2025. She brings with her five years of nonprofit experience with a special focus on community engagement, data visualization and strategic programming. Prior to joining the League, Danielle served as the Business District, Safety, and Digital Manager at Jefferson East, Inc.
Scott Preston is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Michigan League for Public Policy, where he leads the organization’s immigration and criminal justice reform portfolios. In the three years prior to joining the League, Scott facilitated the Southeast Michigan Refugee Collaborative and managed a small business economic development program at Global Detroit. His work included launching Michigan’s first Refugee Film Festival and building on a trusted connector model that linked marginalized communities with crucial resources. Scott’s work at the League is informed by his background in journalism and research. He spent four years covering the Syrian refugee crisis in the Middle East for publications such as The Economist, and later worked with unaccompanied refugee minors through Samaritas. Scott holds a master’s degree in international migration and public policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Kate Powers joined the League as the Chief Development Officer in February 2025. Prior to joining the League, Kate held leadership positions at many Michigan nonprofit organizations, most recently serving as the COO and Chief Development Officer of Ele’s Place. Kate has spent the bulk of her career in fundraising, with a short stint in the state Legislature as a legislative aide to members in both chambers. Kate is a graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and has a certificate in fundraising management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Additionally, Kate served on the East Lansing Public Schools Board of Education and is a past President of the Junior League of Lansing. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and her son and saving outfit of the day and home decor ideas on Pinterest. 
Nicholas Hess joined the League as the Fiscal Policy Analyst in September of 2024. In this role, Nicholas focuses on tax policy, government revenue, and their impact on working families and racial equity, including the effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Nicholas values the role that judicious fiscal policy can play in the improvement of people’s lives and the economy, alleviating inequities along the way.
Audrey Matusz joined the League as the Visual Communications Specialist in September 2024. She supports the team with implementing social media strategies and brainstorming creative ways to talk about public policy. She brings with her nearly a decade of experience in producing digital products for evidence-based social justice initiatives. 
Jacob Kaplan 
Donald Stuckey 
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
Mikell Frey is a communications professional with a passion for using the art of storytelling to positively impact lives. She strongly believes that positive social change can be inspired by the sharing of data-driven information coupled with the unique perspectives of people from all walks of life across Michigan, especially those who have faced extraordinary barriers. 
Yona Isaacs (she/hers) is an Early Childhood Data Analyst for the Kids Count project. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, she began her career as a research coordinator in pediatric psychiatry using data to understand the impacts of brain activity and genetics on children’s behavior and mental health symptoms. This work prompted an interest in exploring social determinants of health and the role of policy in promoting equitable opportunities for all children, families, and communities. She returned to the University of Michigan to complete her Masters in Social Work focused on Social Policy and Evaluation, during which she interned with the ACLU of Michigan’s policy and legislative team and assisted local nonprofit organizations in creating data and evaluation metrics. She currently serves as a coordinator for the Michigan Center for Youth Justice on a project aiming to increase placement options and enhance cultural competency within the juvenile justice system for LGBTQIA+ youth. Yona is eager to put her data skills to work at the League in support of data-driven policies that advocate for equitable access to healthcare, education, economic security, and opportunity for 0-5 year old children. In her free time, she enjoys tackling DIY house projects and trying new outdoor activities with her dog.
Rachel Richards rejoined the League in December 2020 as the Fiscal Policy Director working on state budget and tax policies. Prior to returning to the League, she served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Department of Treasury, the tax policy analyst and Legislative Director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, and a policy analyst and the Appropriations Coordinator for the Democratic Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives. She brings with her over a decade of experience in policies focused on economic opportunity, including workforce issues, tax, and state budget.
Simon Marshall-Shah joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a State Policy Fellow in August 2019. His work focuses on state policy as it relates to the budget, immigration, health care and other League policy priorities. Before joining the League, he worked in Washington, D.C. at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), providing federal policy and advocacy support to nonprofit, Medicaid health plans (Safety Net Health Plans) related to the ACA Marketplaces as well as Quality & Operations.
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Consultant. As community engagement consultant, Renell works with organizations throughout the state in connecting the impact of budget and tax policies to their communities. She is motivated by the belief that all children and adults deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or economic class.
Emily Jorgensen joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in July 2019. She deeply cares about the well-being of individuals and families and has a great love for Michigan. She is grateful that her position at the League enables her to combine these passions and work to help promote policies that will lead to better opportunities and security for all Michiganders.
Megan Farnsworth joined the League’s staff in December 2022 as Executive Assistant. Megan is driven by work that is personally fulfilling, and feels honored to help support the work of an organization that pushes for more robust programming and opportunities for the residents of our state. She’s excited and motivated to gain overarching knowledge of the policies and agendas that the League supports.
