The Road to Equity: Child & Family Well-being in New York State 2025

Data Resources

March 18, 2025

Home to nearly 20 million residents, New York is a vibrant and diverse state spanning across urban centers, suburban neighborhoods, and rural communities. It is characterized by a distinctive blend of natural beauty and economic opportunity, from the iconic New York City skyline to the scenic landscapes of the Adirondacks and the Finger Lakes. However, not all communities experience these opportunities equally. Rural areas often struggle with limited access to essential resources, while urban centers face challenges like high child poverty rates and unaffordable housing.

Our well-being index uses administrative data to uncover these regional disparities and identify pathways to building healthier, more equitable communities across the state. Findings across six different domains of well-being ( Economic Security, Housing, Health, Education, Youth, and Community) reveal that:

In 20 Counties more than 20% of children live in households below the poverty level. In 8 counties this percentage is less than 10%.
Across 55 counties, more than 20% of renter households spend at least half of income on rent. There are no counties where this rate is less than 10%.
In 40 counties less than 50% of 3- and 4 year-olds are enrolled in early education. In only 6 counties, this percentage is more than 60%.
In 34 counties more than 10% of households have no broadband internet. In 24 counties this rate is less than 10%.

Explore more insights in the report and visit our budget and legislative priorities to see how we can work together to create a better future for all New Yorkers.

Well-Being Mapped: Overall Barriers

Fewest Barriers Overall (Below Average)
Near Average Barriers Overall
Greatest Barriers Overall (Above Average)

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