America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, 2007

Demographic Background

Understanding the changing demographic characteristics of America's children is critical in shaping educational programs, health care, and other services that are essential to meet the daily needs of families. While the number of children living in the United States has grown, the proportion of children to adults has decreased. At the same time, the racial and ethnic diversity of the Nation's children continues to change. Combined, these measures provide an important context for understanding the key indicators presented in this report and provide a glimpse of what the future may be like for American families.

In 2006, there were 73.7 million children in the United States, 1.3 million more than in 2000. This number is projected to increase to 80 million in 2020. In 2006, there were approximately equal numbers of children—between 24 and 26 million—in each of these age groups: 0–5, 6–11, and 12–17 years of age.

Figure POP1: Number of children ages 0–17 in the United States, 1950–2006 and projected 2007–2020

Since the mid-1960s, children have been decreasing as a proportion of the total U.S. population. In 2006, children made up 25 percent of the population, down from a peak of 36 percent at the end of the "baby boom" (1964). Children are projected to remain a fairly stable percentage of the total population. They are projected to compose 24 percent of the population in 2020.

Figure POP2: Children ages 0–17 and adults ages 65 and over as a percentage of the U.S. population, 1950–2006 and projected 2007–2020

Racial and ethnic diversity has grown dramatically in the United States in the last three decades. This increased diversity appeared first among children and later in the older population. This diversity is projected to increase even more in the decades to come. In 2006, 58 percent of U.S. children were White, non-Hispanic, 20 percent were Hispanic, 15 percent were Black, 4 percent were Asian, and 4 percent were all other races. The percentage of children who are Hispanic has increased faster than that of any other racial or ethnic group, growing from 9 percent of the child population in 1980 to 20 percent in 2006. By 2020, it is projected that nearly 1 in 4 children in the United States will be of Hispanic origin.

Figure POP3: Percentage of U.S. children ages 0–17 by race and Hispanic origin, 1980–2006 and projected 2007–2020

NOTE: Data from 2000 onward are not directly comparable with data from earlier years. Data on race and Hispanic origin are collected separately; Hispanics may be any race. In 1980 and 1990, following the 1977 OMB standards for collecting and presenting data on race, the decennial census gave respondents the option to identify with one race from the following: White, Black, American Indian or Alaskan Native, or Asian or Pacific Islander. The Census Bureau also offered an "Other" category. Beginning in 2000, following the 1997 OMB standards for collecting and presenting data on race, the decennial census gave respondents the option to identify with one or more races from the following: White, Black, Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. In addition, "Some other race" category was included with OMB approval. Those who chose more than one race were classified as "Two or more races." Except for the "All other races" category, all race groups discussed from 2000 onward refer to people who indicated only one racial identity. (Those who were "Two or more races" were included in the "All other races" category, along with American Indians or Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians or Other Pacific Islanders).

SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates and Projections.

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