Key Takeaways
- On September 30, 2022, there were 369,911 children in foster care in the United States
- In FY 2022, 51% of children entering foster care were male and 49% were female
- Children aged 1-5 years old accounted for 25% of all children in foster care on September 30, 2022
- Relative foster care placements housed 27% of children on 9/30/2022
- Group homes sheltered 7% of foster youth in FY 2022
- Non-relative foster family homes were the most common at 47% in FY 2022
- 40% of youth aged out homeless within 2 years post-18
- High school graduation rate for foster youth is 50-60% vs 84% general
- 20-25% of foster alumni experience homelessness by age 24
- 75% of foster care caseworkers leave within first year
- Caseloads average 28 children per worker nationally in 2022
- 32% vacancy rate for foster care caseworkers in 2021
- Federal Title IV-E funding covers 50% of costs in some states
- FY2023 federal foster care funding totaled $8.7 billion via Title IV-E
- States spend average $25,000 per child annually on foster care
Foster care houses many young children, but it urgently needs stability and support.
Demographics
Demographics Interpretation
Funding
Funding Interpretation
Outcomes
Outcomes Interpretation
Placement Types
Placement Types Interpretation
System Capacity
System Capacity Interpretation
How We Rate Confidence
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
Stefan Wendt. (2026, February 13). Foster Care Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/foster-care-statistics
Stefan Wendt. "Foster Care Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/foster-care-statistics.
Stefan Wendt. 2026. "Foster Care Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/foster-care-statistics.
Sources & References
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