Keeping Track Of New York City’s Children | 2020


Keeping Track Data Book

March 1, 2020

For nearly 30 years, CCC’s Keeping Track data book has provided New Yorkers at large, government officials, philanthropic leaders, academics, and child and family service professionals with information on both welcomed and worrisome trends facing children and families across New York City.

The report examines data from dozens of government sources, including the United States Census Bureau, and disaggregates data by demographic groups to call attention to the myriad ways in which – despite improved citywide outcomes – children and families continue to experience significant disparities based on their race and ethnicity, immigration status, and other demographics including the neighborhood in which they live.

The 2020 edition of Keeping Track of New York City’s Children also calls attention to the ways in which a fair and accurate count in the census is crucial to our ability to identify the needs of New York City’s children and advance policies, programs and budget solutions that make our city a better place for children to live, learn and grow.

It’s critical that we do all we can to have a fair and accurate count so we’re better positioned to combat the inequalities experienced by children and families across NYC communities. Black, Latino and Asian children, children in low-income families, and children in immigrant families are the most likely to be missed in the census count, and yet the data demonstrate the importance of government investments in programs and services to support them. An undercount jeopardizes federal resources for programs supporting nutrition, child care, education, health care, housing, and others that are essential in the city’s efforts to promote positive health and development outcomes for all children.

The U.S. Census occurs every decade and impacts the federal investments New York will receive for the next ten years for programs and services upon which children and families rely. It also determines how many representatives are advocating for New York’s children in Washington D.C. and helps ensure that states and localities have the information (age, household composition, and more) needed to provide emergency relief to New Yorkers and address the needs of the most vulnerable now and in the future.

Explore Related Content