By September 30, 2022, 367,996 children were in foster care in the United States, a 6% drop from the prior year, yet the picture underneath is far from simple. Median age is 8, with placements ranging from kinship homes to group care, and reason for removal spans neglect, substance abuse, and more. This post breaks down the demographics, entry and exit patterns, and permanency timelines so you can see how trends like falling caseloads can still leave very different outcomes for children.
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
- 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
- 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, about 368,000 children were in foster care nationwide, down 6% from 2021.
Related reading
01 · Category
Demographics30 stats
01
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
02
Among children in foster care on 9/30/2022, 51% were male and 48% were female, with 1% unknown or other gender
03
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+
04
In 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
05
Children under age 1 made up 6% of the foster care population on 9/30/2022, while those aged 1-5 comprised 23%
06
In 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
07
On 9/30/2022, 42% of foster children were in urban areas, 31% suburban, 18% rural, and 9% tribal lands
08
Native American/Alaska Native children represented 2% of foster care population in FY 2022 despite being 1% of child population
09
In FY 2022, 14% of foster children had an identified disability or medical condition
10
Asian children were 1% of foster care caseload on 9/30/2022
11
Pacific Islander children comprised less than 1% of foster care population in FY 2022
12
In FY 2022, 55% of foster children entered care before age 6
13
Females aged 13-18 made up 22% of foster care population on 9/30/2022
14
In urban counties, 48% of foster children were White in FY 2022
15
Siblings entering foster care together were 34% of all entries in FY 2022
16
On 9/30/2022, 7% of foster children were pregnant or parenting
17
Children with intellectual disabilities were 8% of foster care caseload in FY 2022
18
In FY 2022, 28% of foster children identified as two or more races
19
Median length in care for children on 9/30/2022 was 15.8 months
20
In FY 2022, 65% of foster children were in homes with other foster children
21
Black children aged 0-5 were 25% of their age group in foster care FY 2022
22
In tribal areas, 65% of foster children were American Indian in FY 2022
23
Foster children with emotional disturbances were 17% in FY 2022
24
On 9/30/2022, 12% of foster youth were LGBTQ+ identified
25
Hispanic males were 11% of foster care population in FY 2022
26
Children in foster care from families with substance abuse history were 38% in FY 2022
27
White females aged 11-15 comprised 13% of caseload on 9/30/2022
28
In FY 2022, 4% of foster children had physical disabilities
29
Multiracial children under 1 year were 12% of infants in care FY 2022
30
On 9/30/2022, 19% of foster children were in kinship care arrangements
Interpretation
Demographics 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.
02 · Category
Maltreatment and Entry30 stats
01
In FY 2021, neglect was the primary reason for removal for 62% of children entering foster care
02
Drug abuse by caregiver accounted for 36% of foster care entries in FY 2021
03
Physical abuse led to 13% of removals into foster care in FY 2021
04
Sexual abuse was the reason for 7% of foster care entries in FY 2021
05
Caregiver inability to care due to incarceration caused 8% of entries in FY 2021
06
Abandonment was cited in 5% of foster care removals FY 2021
07
In FY 2021, 75% of children entered foster care due to maltreatment by parent
08
Alcohol abuse by caregiver contributed to 11% of entries in FY 2021
09
Domestic violence in home led to 12% of foster care entries FY 2021
10
Inadequate housing was a factor in 6% of removals in FY 2021
11
Mental health issues of caregiver caused 14% of entries FY 2021
12
82% of foster care entries in FY 2021 involved parental rights not terminated at entry
13
In FY 2021, 18% of entries were voluntary placements by parents
14
Child behavior problems led to 4% of foster care entries FY 2021
15
Prenatal drug exposure accounted for 9% of infant entries in FY 2021
16
Multiple maltreatment types were reported in 28% of entries FY 2021
17
In FY 2021, 55% of Black children entered due to neglect
18
Caregiver death caused 2% of foster care entries in FY 2021
19
Sexual exploitation was reason for 1% of entries FY 2021
20
In FY 2021, 92% of entries were court-ordered removals
21
Neglect involving lack of supervision was 19% of cases FY 2021
22
Physical neglect (failure to provide) was 25% of entries FY 2021
23
In FY 2021, 31% of entries involved substance-exposed newborns
24
Emotional abuse led to 4% of foster care entries FY 2021
25
Relinquishment by parent was 3% of entries in FY 2021
26
In FY 2021, 67% of Hispanic children entered due to neglect
27
Caregiver risk of maltreatment caused 7% of entries FY 2021
28
Medical neglect accounted for 2% of foster care entries FY 2021
29
In FY 2021, 45% of entries had prior child welfare involvement
30
Educational neglect was factor in 1% of entries FY 2021
Interpretation
Maltreatment 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.
03 · Category
Placements and Stability30 stats
01
On 9/30/2022, 49% of children in foster care were in non-relative foster family homes
02
Relative/kinship foster homes housed 22% of foster children on 9/30/2022
03
Group homes and institutions placed 6% of foster youth in FY 2022
04
Trial home visits were setting for 9% of children on 9/30/2022
05
In FY 2022, 52% of foster children experienced 1 placement setting
06
23% of children had 3 or more placements during FY 2022 spell in care
07
Median number of placements per child in FY 2022 was 2.1
08
8% of foster children were in supervised independent living on 9/30/2022
09
In FY 2022, 4% were placed in emergency shelter care
10
Pre-adoptive homes housed 12% of foster children on 9/30/2022
11
71% of children discharged in FY 2022 had 2 or fewer placements
12
In FY 2022, 15% of placements were out-of-state
13
Sibling groups were placed together in 68% of cases in FY 2022
14
On 9/30/2022, 3% of foster children were in psychiatric residential treatment
15
Average placement duration before first move was 6.2 months in FY 2022
16
27% of children aged 14+ were in group care settings FY 2022
17
In FY 2022, 81% of placements were in family-like settings (foster/kinship)
18
Placements with prior caregiver were 5% of total in FY 2022
19
12% of foster children changed schools due to placement moves in FY 2022
20
In FY 2022, 62% of infants were in non-relative foster homes
21
Median stability for children in care <12 months was 1 placement in FY 2022
22
19% of placements in FY 2022 were kinship but licensed
23
Out-of-home placements lasting >24 months had average 3.4 settings FY 2022
24
In FY 2022, 7% were in residential treatment centers
25
34% of Black children were in kinship care on 9/30/2022
26
Placement disruptions due to behavior were 22% in FY 2022
27
In FY 2022, 91% of foster homes had capacity for 1-4 children
28
Children in care >3 years averaged 4.2 placements FY 2022
29
2% of placements were in hotels/motels temporarily FY 2022
30
Siblings separated in 32% of multi-sibling entries FY 2022
Interpretation
Placements 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.
More related reading
04 · Category
System and Trends30 stats
01
In FY 2022, foster care caseload declined 6% from prior year to 367,996 children
02
Entries into foster care dropped 10% to 203,871 in FY 2022
03
Exits from foster care increased 3% to 216,081 in FY 2022
04
National Title IV-E foster care funding was $8.5 billion in FY 2022
05
43 states saw foster care population decreases in FY 2022
06
Average caseload per worker was 15.2 children in FY 2022
07
78% of children achieved permanency within 24 months of entry by FY 2022
08
Kinship care placements rose 2% to 22% of caseload in FY 2022
09
Federal policy Family First Prevention Services Act impacted 15% of states by FY 2022
10
Worker turnover rate in child welfare was 23% in FY 2022
11
Pandemic-related entries fell 14% in FY 2021-2022 period
12
91% of jurisdictions met Timeliness to Permanency standards FY 2022
13
Adoption incentives funded 1,200 additional adoptions FY 2022
14
Interstate compacts moved 16,000 children FY 2022
15
Court hearings held within 60 days for 85% of entries FY 2022
16
34 states reduced foster care numbers by >5% FY 2018-2022 trend
17
Chafee funding for aged-out youth totaled $140 million FY 2022
18
62% compliance with ASFA visitation requirements FY 2022
19
Tribal foster care caseload grew 4% to 15,000 children FY 2022
20
National recurrence rate within 6 months post-reunification was 7.3% FY 2022
21
1.4 million investigations led to 20% foster entries FY 2022
22
Quality improvement initiatives in 40 states FY 2022
23
Median time to adoption decreased to 23 months FY 2022 trend
24
75% of states increased kinship navigator programs by FY 2022
25
Foster parent recruitment campaigns reached 500,000 potential homes FY 2022
26
Data system interoperability improved in 28 states FY 2022
27
National average reimbursement rate per child was $25,000annually FY 2022
28
82% of TPR cases completed within 15 months FY 2022
29
Prevention services diverted 25,000 potential entries FY 2022
30
Caseload peaked at 443,000 in 2017 before FY 2022 decline
Interpretation
System 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.
05 · Category
Well-being and Outcomes30 stats
01
51% of children reunified with family in FY 2022 after average 8.1 months in care
02
Adoption was permanency outcome for 25% of exits in FY 2022, averaging 23.4 months in care
03
12% of foster children aged out of care in FY 2022 without permanency
04
Guardianship achieved by 9% of children exiting FY 2022
05
65% of children in care <12 months achieved permanency in FY 2022
06
Mental health services received by 42% of foster children in FY 2022
07
High school graduation rate for foster youth was 62% in FY 2022 cohort
08
28% of foster children had documented PTSD symptoms in FY 2022 assessments
09
Postsecondary enrollment for aged-out youth was 48% within 6 months in FY 2022
10
Obesity rates among foster children were 22% higher than general population FY 2022
11
37% of foster youth experienced homelessness within 2 years post-exit FY 2022
12
Dental care access for 89% of foster children under 21 in FY 2022
13
Incarceration rate for aged-out foster youth was 25% within 2 years FY 2022
14
73% of reunified children re-entered care within 12 months in FY 2022
15
IEP prevalence among foster children was 19% in FY 2022
16
Substance use disorders diagnosed in 15% of foster teens FY 2022
17
84% of foster children received medical care services in FY 2022
18
Pregnancy rate for foster females aged 15-17 was 11% in FY 2022
19
41% of foster children showed improved behavioral outcomes post-services FY 2022
20
Employment rate for 18-21 year olds post-foster care was 55% FY 2022
21
52% of adopted foster children had mental health diagnoses FY 2022
22
Academic proficiency in reading for foster students was 32% FY 2022
23
67% of children discharged to kinship had stability at 12 months FY 2022
24
Suicide attempt rate among foster youth was 4 times general population FY 2022
25
76% of foster infants met developmental milestones FY 2022 screenings
26
29% of foster youth had juvenile justice involvement FY 2022
27
Medicaid coverage for 99% of foster children in FY 2022
28
63% of long-term foster children had attachment issues FY 2022
29
Post-adoption disruption rate was 5% within 3 years FY 2022 adoptions
30
48% of foster youth reported bullying victimization FY 2022
Interpretation
Well-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.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Samuel Norberg. (2026, February 13). Children In Foster Care Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/children-in-foster-care-statistics
MLA
Samuel Norberg. "Children In Foster Care Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/children-in-foster-care-statistics.
Chicago
Samuel Norberg. 2026. "Children In Foster Care Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/children-in-foster-care-statistics.