What percentage of children in the U.S. are adopted?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 2% of all children in the U.S. are adopted, amounting to approximately 1.5 million children.

What is the average age of adopted children?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that the median age of adopted children is around 6 years old.

Are there more boys or girls adopted?

The statistics show a fairly even split between boys and girls in terms of adoption. However, slight variations might be noted across different countries or regions.

How many children are waiting to be adopted in the U.S.?

As per the Adoption Network, approximately 100,000 children are waiting to be adopted in the U.S. foster care system.

Are adopted children as likely to graduate high school as non-adopted children?

According to a study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, adopted children are just as likely, if not more, to graduate high school compared to their non-adopted peers. About 88% of adopted children graduate from high school, compared to the nation's average of 83%.

GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Adoptive Children Statistics: Market Report & Data

Last Updated: June 22, 2024

Written & Summarized by: Jannik Lindner

How we write

In this post, we will explore a comprehensive set of statistics related to adoptive children in the United States. From the number of annual adoptions to the demographics of adoptive parents and the characteristics of adopted children, these statistics shed light on various aspects of the adoption landscape in the country. Let’s dive into the data to better understand the prevalence, trends, and realities of adoption in the U.S.

Statistic 1

"More than 120,000 children are adopted in the United States each year."

Statistic 2

"Approximately 7 million Americans are adopted."

Statistic 3

"About 135,000 children are adopted in the U.S. annually."

Statistic 4

"Six out of ten Americans have a personal connection to adoption."

Statistic 5

"Slightly over 1/4 of adopted children in the U.S. are adopted by relatives."

Statistic 6

"In 2019, there were around 122,216 adoptions in the U.S. from the public foster care system."

Statistic 7

"Nearly 60% of U.S. adoption agencies accept applications from hopeful adoptive parents who are 50 years old or older."

Statistic 8

"The average age of a child in foster care waiting to be adopted is 7.7 years old."

Statistic 9

"Approximately 140,000 children are adopted by American families each year."

Statistic 10

"Around 81.5 million Americans have considered adopting a child."

Statistic 11

"Fewer than 2% of children in the U.S. live with adoptive parents."

Statistic 12

"In 2018, 63% of children adopted internationally to America came from five countries: China, Ethiopia, South Korea, Haiti, and India."

Statistic 13

"International adoptees make up 15% of all U.S. adoptions."

Statistic 14

"One-third of adopted U.S. children live in families with annual household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level."

Statistic 15

"Majority of domestic adoptions are 'open', involving some level of contact between birth and adoptive families."

Statistic 16

"About 75% of children adopted from foster care are adopted by their foster parents."

Statistic 17

"Most children and youth who are adopted from foster care (53%) are age 0–5."

Statistic 18

"Nine out of ten adopted children age 5 and older show positive social behaviors."

Statistic 19

"In 2018 in the U.S., the majority (56%) of adoptive parents were between the ages of 40 and 54."

Statistic 20

"In 2018, the median amount of time that it took for a child to be adopted was 12.2 months."

The statistics on adoption in the United States paint a complex and varied picture. With over 120,000 children adopted annually and approximately 7 million Americans being adopted, it is clear that adoption is a significant part of American society. The data shows that adoption transcends age, income levels, and national boundaries, with a diverse range of individuals and families being involved in the process. The statistics also highlight the significant positive impacts of adoption, such as the majority of children showing positive social behaviors and the majority of adoptive parents being in the age range of 40-54. Additionally, the prevalence of ‘open’ adoptions and the high percentage of foster children being adopted by their foster parents shed light on the evolving dynamics within adoptive families. The numbers underscore the importance of understanding and supporting the adoption process to ensure the well-being of all those involved.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik is the Co-Founder of Gitnux and has been working in the digital space since 2016. He is specialized in content and tech.

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