For Immediate Release: December 12, 2024
Contact: Sean O’Leary, (304)-400-8899
Charleston, WV – The West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy (WVCBP) is excited to announce the release of the 2024 KIDS COUNT® Data Book for West Virginia. KIDS COUNT in West Virginia is a joint effort by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the WVCBP which provides an annual snapshot of the well-being of West Virginia children statewide and on a county-by-county basis via the publication of annual data books. This data helps to inform policymakers, advocates, and the general public about the current strengths and needs of West Virginia kids and helps provide a path forward for policy change to improve the lives of all children in the Mountain State.
You can read the full 2024 KIDS COUNT Data Book to find data on all West Virginia counties or visit the WVCBP’s KIDS COUNT: County-level Fact Sheets page to find individualized fact sheets for each of the Mountain State’s 55 counties.
West Virginia as a whole ranked 44th in overall child well-being when compared with all other states in the 2024 KIDS COUNT Data Book.
West Virginia’s 55 counties vary widely in measurements of child well-being. In addition to demographics, income, and poverty data, the individual county fact sheets include data under four key categories: education, health, economic, and family and community. Statewide data is also provided for comparison.
“The county-level data presented here reinforce the importance of policy decisions on the well-being of West Virginia’s children,” says Sean O’Leary, WVCBP senior policy analyst. “While state and federal policymakers have prioritized child and family health during and following the pandemic, policies that would increase economic stability and improve educational outcomes have not been adequately addressed. West Virginia policymakers must recognize the inherent link between poverty and overall well-being to truly address the needs of the state’s children and families.”
Access the full 2024 KIDS COUNT Data Book.
Visit the WVCBP’s KIDS COUNT: County-level Fact Sheets page.
For additional data related to children, youth, and families in West Virginia, visit the KIDS COUNT Data Center.
The WVCBP prides itself on being a trusted source of data related to children, youth, and families in the Mountain State and we are honored to continue this work through our expansion into the role of KIDS COUNT partner for West Virginia. If you would like assistance with interpreting or making use of KIDS COUNT data, we invite you to reach out to Sean O’Leary at soleary@wvpolicy.org to schedule a free consultation call.
