Behind the staggering number of nearly 368,000 children in foster care lies a mosaic of real kids—like an eight-year-old median-aged child, more likely to be placed with a non-relative than a family member, and facing a system where stability is a fragile hope.
Key Takeaways
- In FY 2022, there were 367,996 children in foster care in the United States as of September 30, representing a 6% decrease from FY 2021
- Among children in foster care on 9/30/2022, 51% were male and 48% were female, with 1% unknown or other gender
- The median age of children in foster care on 9/30/2022 was 8 years old, with 29% aged 0-5, 29% aged 6-10, 21% aged 11-15, 14% aged 16-18, and 7% aged 19+
- In FY 2021, neglect was the primary reason for removal for 62% of children entering foster care
- Drug abuse by caregiver accounted for 36% of foster care entries in FY 2021
- Physical abuse led to 13% of removals into foster care in FY 2021
- On 9/30/2022, 49% of children in foster care were in non-relative foster family homes
- Relative/kinship foster homes housed 22% of foster children on 9/30/2022
- Group homes and institutions placed 6% of foster youth in FY 2022
- 51% of children reunified with family in FY 2022 after average 8.1 months in care
- Adoption was permanency outcome for 25% of exits in FY 2022, averaging 23.4 months in care
- 12% of foster children aged out of care in FY 2022 without permanency
- In FY 2022, foster care caseload declined 6% from prior year to 367,996 children
- Entries into foster care dropped 10% to 203,871 in FY 2022
- Exits from foster care increased 3% to 216,081 in FY 2022
While foster care numbers decline, achieving permanency remains an urgent challenge for thousands.
Demographics
1In FY 2022, there were 367,996 children in foster care in the United States as of September 30, representing a 6% decrease from FY 2021
Verified2Among children in foster care on 9/30/2022, 51% were male and 48% were female, with 1% unknown or other gender
Verified3The median age of children in foster care on 9/30/2022 was 8 years old, with 29% aged 0-5, 29% aged 6-10, 21% aged 11-15, 14% aged 16-18, and 7% aged 19+
Verified4In FY 2022, 20% of children in foster care were Hispanic/Latino, 22% were Black/African American, 44% were White, 11% were multiracial or other races, and 3% unknown
Directional5Children under age 1 made up 6% of the foster care population on 9/30/2022, while those aged 1-5 comprised 23%
Single source6In FY 2022, 76% of children in foster care had a primary caregiver who was non-relative, 22% relative foster caregiver, and 2% group home or institution
Verified7On 9/30/2022, 42% of foster children were in urban areas, 31% suburban, 18% rural, and 9% tribal lands
Verified8Native American/Alaska Native children represented 2% of foster care population in FY 2022 despite being 1% of child population
Verified9In FY 2022, 14% of foster children had an identified disability or medical condition
Directional10Asian children were 1% of foster care caseload on 9/30/2022
Single source11Pacific Islander children comprised less than 1% of foster care population in FY 2022
Verified12In FY 2022, 55% of foster children entered care before age 6
Verified13Females aged 13-18 made up 22% of foster care population on 9/30/2022
Verified14In urban counties, 48% of foster children were White in FY 2022
Directional15Siblings entering foster care together were 34% of all entries in FY 2022
Single source16On 9/30/2022, 7% of foster children were pregnant or parenting
Verified17Children with intellectual disabilities were 8% of foster care caseload in FY 2022
Verified18In FY 2022, 28% of foster children identified as two or more races
Verified19Median length in care for children on 9/30/2022 was 15.8 months
Directional20In FY 2022, 65% of foster children were in homes with other foster children
Single source21Black children aged 0-5 were 25% of their age group in foster care FY 2022
Verified22In tribal areas, 65% of foster children were American Indian in FY 2022
Verified23Foster children with emotional disturbances were 17% in FY 2022
Verified24On 9/30/2022, 12% of foster youth were LGBTQ+ identified
Directional25Hispanic males were 11% of foster care population in FY 2022
Single source26Children in foster care from families with substance abuse history were 38% in FY 2022
Verified27White females aged 11-15 comprised 13% of caseload on 9/30/2022
Verified28In FY 2022, 4% of foster children had physical disabilities
Verified29Multiracial children under 1 year were 12% of infants in care FY 2022
Directional30On 9/30/2022, 19% of foster children were in kinship care arrangements
Single sourceDemographics Interpretation
Behind the headline of a 6% decrease lies a sobering reality: nearly 368,000 childhoods are on hold, disproportionately affecting the very young, children of color, and those coping with trauma, revealing a system strained but still tasked with mending the broken starts of our most vulnerable.
Maltreatment and Entry
1In FY 2021, neglect was the primary reason for removal for 62% of children entering foster care
Verified2Drug abuse by caregiver accounted for 36% of foster care entries in FY 2021
Verified3Physical abuse led to 13% of removals into foster care in FY 2021
Verified4Sexual abuse was the reason for 7% of foster care entries in FY 2021
Directional5Caregiver inability to care due to incarceration caused 8% of entries in FY 2021
Single source6Abandonment was cited in 5% of foster care removals FY 2021
Verified7In FY 2021, 75% of children entered foster care due to maltreatment by parent
Verified8Alcohol abuse by caregiver contributed to 11% of entries in FY 2021
Verified9Domestic violence in home led to 12% of foster care entries FY 2021
Directional10Inadequate housing was a factor in 6% of removals in FY 2021
Single source11Mental health issues of caregiver caused 14% of entries FY 2021
Verified1282% of foster care entries in FY 2021 involved parental rights not terminated at entry
Verified13In FY 2021, 18% of entries were voluntary placements by parents
Verified14Child behavior problems led to 4% of foster care entries FY 2021
Directional15Prenatal drug exposure accounted for 9% of infant entries in FY 2021
Single source16Multiple maltreatment types were reported in 28% of entries FY 2021
Verified17In FY 2021, 55% of Black children entered due to neglect
Verified18Caregiver death caused 2% of foster care entries in FY 2021
Verified19Sexual exploitation was reason for 1% of entries FY 2021
Directional20In FY 2021, 92% of entries were court-ordered removals
Single source21Neglect involving lack of supervision was 19% of cases FY 2021
Verified22Physical neglect (failure to provide) was 25% of entries FY 2021
Verified23In FY 2021, 31% of entries involved substance-exposed newborns
Verified24Emotional abuse led to 4% of foster care entries FY 2021
Directional25Relinquishment by parent was 3% of entries in FY 2021
Single source26In FY 2021, 67% of Hispanic children entered due to neglect
Verified27Caregiver risk of maltreatment caused 7% of entries FY 2021
Verified28Medical neglect accounted for 2% of foster care entries FY 2021
Verified29In FY 2021, 45% of entries had prior child welfare involvement
Directional30Educational neglect was factor in 1% of entries FY 2021
Single sourceMaltreatment and Entry Interpretation
Behind the stark percentages lies a devastating truth: the overwhelming majority of children are not rescued from strangers, but from the profound and often overlapping crises—neglect, addiction, violence, and despair—festering within the very homes meant to protect them.
Placements and Stability
1On 9/30/2022, 49% of children in foster care were in non-relative foster family homes
Verified2Relative/kinship foster homes housed 22% of foster children on 9/30/2022
Verified3Group homes and institutions placed 6% of foster youth in FY 2022
Verified4Trial home visits were setting for 9% of children on 9/30/2022
Directional5In FY 2022, 52% of foster children experienced 1 placement setting
Single source623% of children had 3 or more placements during FY 2022 spell in care
Verified7Median number of placements per child in FY 2022 was 2.1
Verified88% of foster children were in supervised independent living on 9/30/2022
Verified9In FY 2022, 4% were placed in emergency shelter care
Directional10Pre-adoptive homes housed 12% of foster children on 9/30/2022
Single source1171% of children discharged in FY 2022 had 2 or fewer placements
Verified12In FY 2022, 15% of placements were out-of-state
Verified13Sibling groups were placed together in 68% of cases in FY 2022
Verified14On 9/30/2022, 3% of foster children were in psychiatric residential treatment
Directional15Average placement duration before first move was 6.2 months in FY 2022
Single source1627% of children aged 14+ were in group care settings FY 2022
Verified17In FY 2022, 81% of placements were in family-like settings (foster/kinship)
Verified18Placements with prior caregiver were 5% of total in FY 2022
Verified1912% of foster children changed schools due to placement moves in FY 2022
Directional20In FY 2022, 62% of infants were in non-relative foster homes
Single source21Median stability for children in care <12 months was 1 placement in FY 2022
Verified2219% of placements in FY 2022 were kinship but licensed
Verified23Out-of-home placements lasting >24 months had average 3.4 settings FY 2022
Verified24In FY 2022, 7% were in residential treatment centers
Directional2534% of Black children were in kinship care on 9/30/2022
Single source26Placement disruptions due to behavior were 22% in FY 2022
Verified27In FY 2022, 91% of foster homes had capacity for 1-4 children
Verified28Children in care >3 years averaged 4.2 placements FY 2022
Verified292% of placements were in hotels/motels temporarily FY 2022
Directional30Siblings separated in 32% of multi-sibling entries FY 2022
Single source31On 9/30/2022, 11% were in independent living programs
Verified32In FY 2022, 56% of children exiting care had no placement disruptions
VerifiedPlacements and Stability Interpretation
While the system strives to place over 80% of children in family-like homes, the fact that nearly a quarter experience three or more jarring placement changes reveals a heartbreaking game of musical chairs where the music stops too often and the stakes are a child's stability.
System and Trends
1In FY 2022, foster care caseload declined 6% from prior year to 367,996 children
Verified2Entries into foster care dropped 10% to 203,871 in FY 2022
Verified3Exits from foster care increased 3% to 216,081 in FY 2022
Verified4National Title IV-E foster care funding was $8.5 billion in FY 2022
Directional543 states saw foster care population decreases in FY 2022
Single source6Average caseload per worker was 15.2 children in FY 2022
Verified778% of children achieved permanency within 24 months of entry by FY 2022
Verified8Kinship care placements rose 2% to 22% of caseload in FY 2022
Verified9Federal policy Family First Prevention Services Act impacted 15% of states by FY 2022
Directional10Worker turnover rate in child welfare was 23% in FY 2022
Single source11Pandemic-related entries fell 14% in FY 2021-2022 period
Verified1291% of jurisdictions met Timeliness to Permanency standards FY 2022
Verified13Adoption incentives funded 1,200 additional adoptions FY 2022
Verified14Interstate compacts moved 16,000 children FY 2022
Directional15Court hearings held within 60 days for 85% of entries FY 2022
Single source1634 states reduced foster care numbers by >5% FY 2018-2022 trend
Verified17Chafee funding for aged-out youth totaled $140 million FY 2022
Verified1862% compliance with ASFA visitation requirements FY 2022
Verified19Tribal foster care caseload grew 4% to 15,000 children FY 2022
Directional20National recurrence rate within 6 months post-reunification was 7.3% FY 2022
Single source211.4 million investigations led to 20% foster entries FY 2022
Verified22Quality improvement initiatives in 40 states FY 2022
Verified23Median time to adoption decreased to 23 months FY 2022 trend
Verified2475% of states increased kinship navigator programs by FY 2022
Directional25Foster parent recruitment campaigns reached 500,000 potential homes FY 2022
Single source26Data system interoperability improved in 28 states FY 2022
Verified27National average reimbursement rate per child was $25,000 annually FY 2022
Verified2882% of TPR cases completed within 15 months FY 2022
Verified29Prevention services diverted 25,000 potential entries FY 2022
Directional30Caseload peaked at 443,000 in 2017 before FY 2022 decline
Single source3195% of foster children had case plans developed within 30 days FY 2022
VerifiedSystem and Trends Interpretation
While the numbers show a system slowly bending toward progress with fewer entries and a promising 78% achieving permanency within two years, the reality is that we're still asking a single worker to be a hero for fifteen kids and celebrating a system that can only keep its own staff three out of every four years.
Well-being and Outcomes
151% of children reunified with family in FY 2022 after average 8.1 months in care
Verified2Adoption was permanency outcome for 25% of exits in FY 2022, averaging 23.4 months in care
Verified312% of foster children aged out of care in FY 2022 without permanency
Verified4Guardianship achieved by 9% of children exiting FY 2022
Directional565% of children in care <12 months achieved permanency in FY 2022
Single source6Mental health services received by 42% of foster children in FY 2022
Verified7High school graduation rate for foster youth was 62% in FY 2022 cohort
Verified828% of foster children had documented PTSD symptoms in FY 2022 assessments
Verified9Postsecondary enrollment for aged-out youth was 48% within 6 months in FY 2022
Directional10Obesity rates among foster children were 22% higher than general population FY 2022
Single source1137% of foster youth experienced homelessness within 2 years post-exit FY 2022
Verified12Dental care access for 89% of foster children under 21 in FY 2022
Verified13Incarceration rate for aged-out foster youth was 25% within 2 years FY 2022
Verified1473% of reunified children re-entered care within 12 months in FY 2022
Directional15IEP prevalence among foster children was 19% in FY 2022
Single source16Substance use disorders diagnosed in 15% of foster teens FY 2022
Verified1784% of foster children received medical care services in FY 2022
Verified18Pregnancy rate for foster females aged 15-17 was 11% in FY 2022
Verified1941% of foster children showed improved behavioral outcomes post-services FY 2022
Directional20Employment rate for 18-21 year olds post-foster care was 55% FY 2022
Single source2152% of adopted foster children had mental health diagnoses FY 2022
Verified22Academic proficiency in reading for foster students was 32% FY 2022
Verified2367% of children discharged to kinship had stability at 12 months FY 2022
Verified24Suicide attempt rate among foster youth was 4 times general population FY 2022
Directional2576% of foster infants met developmental milestones FY 2022 screenings
Single source2629% of foster youth had juvenile justice involvement FY 2022
Verified27Medicaid coverage for 99% of foster children in FY 2022
Verified2863% of long-term foster children had attachment issues FY 2022
Verified29Post-adoption disruption rate was 5% within 3 years FY 2022 adoptions
Directional3048% of foster youth reported bullying victimization FY 2022
Single source31Health insurance continuity post-exit was 92% for 6 months FY 2022
VerifiedWell-being and Outcomes Interpretation
The system performs a kind of tragic arithmetic where even the victories of reunification and adoption are measured against a crushing backdrop of childhoods spent waiting, and where the price of survival for too many is paid in delayed health, stalled education, and futures lost to trauma, homelessness, and the justice system.