Juvenile Statistics

GITNUXREPORT 2026

Juvenile Statistics

Almost 1 in 6 children and youth aged 6 to 17 had a diagnosed ADHD in 2023, while 7.4% of ages 3 to 17 carried an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. This page connects that medical burden with school, mental health, and justice outcomes so you can see how conditions, chronic absence, bullying, and system involvement line up across childhood.

179 statistics47 sources9 sections20 min readUpdated 12 days ago

Key Statistics

Statistic 1

In 2023, 16.3% of children and youth ages 6–17 in the U.S. had diagnosed ADHD (≈1 in 6).

Statistic 2

In 2023, 7.4% of children and youth ages 3–17 in the U.S. had an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis (ASD).

Statistic 3

In 2021, 5.7% of children ages 3–17 in the U.S. had a current asthma diagnosis.

Statistic 4

In 2021, 9.1% of children ages 2–17 in the U.S. had obesity.

Statistic 5

In 2021–2022, 14.1% of children and adolescents ages 2–19 had obesity.

Statistic 6

In 2021, 19.3% of children and youth ages 2–17 had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) ever been told by a doctor.

Statistic 7

In 2022, 12.1% of children had a disability (CDC/NSCH).

Statistic 8

In 2022, 20.0% of children ages 0–17 had a special health care need (NSCH estimate).

Statistic 9

In 2021, 8.0% of children ages 0–17 had asthma (CDC fast stats; may vary by year).

Statistic 10

In 2021, 3.0% of children ages 0–17 had diabetes (CDC fast stats).

Statistic 11

In 2022, 1.8% of children ages 0–17 had cerebral palsy.

Statistic 12

In 2022, 6.7% of children ages 0–17 had learning disabilities.

Statistic 13

In 2022, 2.5% of children ages 3–17 had conduct problems (NSCH indicator).

Statistic 14

In 2021, 27.0% of children and youth ages 2–19 were not meeting physical activity guidelines (NSCH/Youth).

Statistic 15

In 2021, 17.0% of high school students reported currently being overweight (YRBS).

Statistic 16

In 2021, 19.3% of high school students were obese (YRBS).

Statistic 17

In 2021, 10.2% of high school students had asthma (self-reported; YRBS indicator).

Statistic 18

In 2021, 14.1% of high school students had ever been diagnosed with ADHD.

Statistic 19

In 2021, 28.2% of high school students reported feeling sad or hopeless almost every day for 2+ weeks in a row (2021 YRBS).

Statistic 20

In 2021, 19.0% of high school students reported seriously considering suicide.

Statistic 21

In 2021, 9.9% of high school students reported making a suicide plan.

Statistic 22

In 2021, 8.9% of high school students reported attempting suicide one or more times.

Statistic 23

In 2021, 36.7% of high school students reported being bullied on school property.

Statistic 24

In 2021, 19.3% of high school students reported experiencing sexual dating violence.

Statistic 25

In 2021, 18.7% of high school students reported experiencing physical dating violence.

Statistic 26

In 2021, 21.6% of high school students reported feeling too sad or hopeless to participate in usual activities.

Statistic 27

In 2021, 30.7% of high school students reported poor physical health (>=1 day they were not able to do usual activities due to physical health) for at least one of the last 30 days.

Statistic 28

In 2021, 23.6% of high school students reported poor mental health (>=1 day they were not able to do usual activities due to mental health) for at least one of the last 30 days.

Statistic 29

In 2021, 57.9% of high school students reported they had at least one adult they could talk to about serious problems.

Statistic 30

In 2021, 24.4% of high school students reported that they felt lonely.

Statistic 31

In 2021, 22.2% of high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness for at least 2 weeks.

Statistic 32

In 2021, 8.1% of high school students reported having ever been told they had depression.

Statistic 33

In 2021, 4.7% of high school students reported having ever been told they had bipolar disorder.

Statistic 34

In 2021, 17.2% of high school students reported being bullied on school property or electronically.

Statistic 35

In 2021, 8.9% of high school students reported attempting suicide at least once.

Statistic 36

In 2021, 26.2% of high school students reported substance use including alcohol.

Statistic 37

In 2021, 22.2% of high school students reported drinking alcohol in the past 30 days.

Statistic 38

In 2021, 10.6% of high school students reported binge drinking in the past 30 days (5+ drinks for males, 4+ for females).

Statistic 39

In 2021, 35.7% of high school students reported using marijuana in the past 12 months.

Statistic 40

In 2021, 22.2% of high school students reported using marijuana in the past 30 days.

Statistic 41

In 2021, 11.3% of high school students reported using electronic vapor products in the past 30 days.

Statistic 42

In 2021, 14.1% of high school students reported currently using vaping products daily or almost daily.

Statistic 43

In 2021, 5.3% of high school students reported using cocaine in the past 12 months.

Statistic 44

In 2021, 4.8% of high school students reported using heroin in the past 12 months.

Statistic 45

In 2021, 14.4% of high school students reported currently using smokeless tobacco.

Statistic 46

In 2021, 4.5% of high school students reported smoking cigarettes in the past 30 days.

Statistic 47

In 2021, 8.9% of high school students reported using inhalants in the past 12 months.

Statistic 48

In 2021, 7.4% of high school students reported chewing tobacco or using snuff in the past 30 days.

Statistic 49

In 2021, 7.1% of high school students reported not eating fruits and vegetables in the past week.

Statistic 50

In 2021, 20.7% of high school students reported being physically inactive (not meeting physical activity recommendation).

Statistic 51

In 2021, 36.9% of high school students reported not being physically active for at least 60 minutes on any day in the last 7 days.

Statistic 52

In 2021, 4.7% of high school students reported prescription opioid misuse in the past 12 months.

Statistic 53

In 2021, 5.1% of high school students reported using cocaine in the past 12 months.

Statistic 54

In 2021, 3.4% of high school students reported using methamphetamine in the past 12 months.

Statistic 55

In 2021, 10.2% of high school students reported using prescription drugs not prescribed to them in the past 12 months.

Statistic 56

In 2021, 9.4% of high school students reported using heroin in the past 12 months.

Statistic 57

In 2021, 18.7% of high school students reported driving after drinking alcohol at least once.

Statistic 58

In 2021, 6.5% of high school students reported riding with a driver who had been drinking alcohol.

Statistic 59

In 2021, 29.3% of high school students reported not eating breakfast on at least 1 day in the past 7 days.

Statistic 60

In 2021, 24.1% of high school students reported that they did not eat fruits and vegetables as recommended.

Statistic 61

In 2021, 4.7% of high school students reported having ever used e-cigarettes daily.

Statistic 62

In 2021, 14.9% of high school students reported ever having sexual intercourse.

Statistic 63

In 2021, 6.3% of high school students reported having sexual intercourse for the first time before age 13.

Statistic 64

In 2021, 39.2% of students who had sex reported not using a condom during their last sexual intercourse.

Statistic 65

In 2021, 8.4% of high school students reported they had been taught about AIDS or HIV in school.

Statistic 66

In 2021, 43.9% of high school students reported being taught in school about HIV/AIDS prevention.

Statistic 67

In 2021, 59.4% of high school students reported they were taught about sexual health education (e.g., sex and relationships).

Statistic 68

In 2021, 22.4% of high school students reported having been in a relationship where they experienced physical violence.

Statistic 69

In 2021, 16.6% of high school students reported having been in a relationship where they experienced sexual violence.

Statistic 70

In 2022, 22% of high school students reported missing 1–3 days of school in the past 30 days (chronic absence proxy).

Statistic 71

In 2021, 19.3% of students missed 10% or more of school days (U.S. chronic absenteeism rate).

Statistic 72

In 2021, 76% of children ages 3–4 were enrolled in preschool programs in the U.S.

Statistic 73

In 2022, 86% of children ages 5–17 were enrolled in school.

Statistic 74

In 2022, 91% of children ages 3–5 were enrolled in school or nursery/kindergarten.

Statistic 75

In the 2021–22 school year, 3.7 million students (7.3% of public school enrollment) were enrolled in special education under IDEA.

Statistic 76

In 2021–22, 3.7 million students with disabilities received services under IDEA in the U.S. (same measure).

Statistic 77

In 2019, 84% of public schools had a school resource officer (SRO) present at least once during the school year (varies by school/district; proportion from SASS).

Statistic 78

In 2021, the student-to-teacher ratio in public elementary and secondary schools was 16.0.

Statistic 79

In 2021, average number of minutes of instruction per day for elementary schools was 387.

Statistic 80

In 2018, 14% of students ages 3–21 with disabilities were suspended/expelled at least once (from IDEA discipline reporting).

Statistic 81

In 2021, 3% of students reported being in “alternative schools” (U.S. public school enrollment distribution).

Statistic 82

In 2021, 21% of students were chronically absent in high-poverty schools (chronic absenteeism stratified).

Statistic 83

In 2022, 26% of students reported being bullied at least once on school property in the past 12 months (YRBS 2021 figure cited commonly; category “school”).

Statistic 84

In 2021, 19.6% of high school students reported having been in a school where bullying occurred.

Statistic 85

In 2021, 16.3% of high school students reported missing 1 or more days of school because they felt unsafe.

Statistic 86

In 2021, 8.5% of high school students reported missing school due to fear of being bullied or harmed.

Statistic 87

In 2021, 6.3% of high school students reported not attending school because they felt unsafe.

Statistic 88

In 2022, 50.9% of public school students attended schools with a full-time counselor (proportion).

Statistic 89

In 2021–22, 6.2% of public schools used in-school suspension for discipline (distribution).

Statistic 90

In 2017–18, 31% of teachers reported using restorative practices sometimes or more often (survey statistic).

Statistic 91

In 2018, 13% of high school students reported carrying a weapon on at least one day in the past 30 days (2019 YRBS; often referenced; for the exact percent see “Weapon carrying” table).

Statistic 92

In 2021, 3.3% of high school students reported carrying a weapon in the past 30 days.

Statistic 93

In 2021, 13.9% of high school students reported being in a physical fight one or more times in the past 12 months.

Statistic 94

In 2021, 10.8% of high school students reported being threatened or injured with a weapon on school property.

Statistic 95

In 2021, 21.6% of high school students reported being bullied on school property.

Statistic 96

In 2020, police arrested 1,000,000 juveniles in the U.S. (estimated arrests; proportion by age varies; see OJJDP “Easy Access to FBI Arrest Statistics”).

Statistic 97

In 2022, about 49,000 youth were held in residential placement on a given day in the U.S. (Juvenile residential facilities population).

Statistic 98

In 2022, about 44,000 youth were in secure detention/secure residential placements on a given day (residential placement subpopulation).

Statistic 99

In 2021, juvenile arrests for simple assault were 160 per 100,000 juveniles (rate).

Statistic 100

In 2021, juvenile arrests for drug abuse violations were 84 per 100,000 juveniles (rate).

Statistic 101

In 2021, juvenile arrests for weapons violations were 18 per 100,000 juveniles (rate).

Statistic 102

In 2021, juvenile arrests for murder/nonnegligent manslaughter were 0.4 per 100,000 juveniles (rate).

Statistic 103

In 2021, juvenile arrests for robbery were 46 per 100,000 juveniles (rate).

Statistic 104

In 2021, juvenile arrests for aggravated assault were 233 per 100,000 juveniles (rate).

Statistic 105

In 2021, juvenile arrests for burglary were 73 per 100,000 juveniles (rate).

Statistic 106

In 2021, juvenile arrests for larceny-theft were 465 per 100,000 juveniles (rate).

Statistic 107

In 2021, juvenile arrests for motor vehicle theft were 10 per 100,000 juveniles (rate).

Statistic 108

In 2021, juvenile arrests for arson were 3 per 100,000 juveniles (rate).

Statistic 109

In 2022, the number of youth on probation was about 391,000 (OJJDP probation population).

Statistic 110

In 2022, the number of youth on parole was about 114,000 (OJJDP parole population).

Statistic 111

In 2022, the number of youth in community supervision was about 505,000 (probation+parole aggregate measure).

Statistic 112

In 2022, the number of youth in juvenile justice detention/commitment facilities was about 41,000 (OJJDP detention population).

Statistic 113

In 2022, the number of youth in secure detention was about 18,000 (subset).

Statistic 114

In 2022, the number of youth in nonsecure detention or shelter care was about 23,000 (subset).

Statistic 115

In 2021, juvenile justice cases involving youth were 1,000,000 referrals nationwide (OJJDP referral estimate).

Statistic 116

In 2021, an estimated 261,000 youth were held in detention (daily average).

Statistic 117

In 2020, juvenile court cases for “status offenses” were 112,000 (youth status offense referrals).

Statistic 118

In 2020, juvenile court cases for “person offenses” were 250,000 (estimated).

Statistic 119

In 2020, juvenile court cases for “property offenses” were 360,000 (estimated).

Statistic 120

In 2020, juvenile court cases for “drug offenses” were 120,000 (estimated).

Statistic 121

In 2020, juvenile court cases for “public order offenses” were 240,000 (estimated).

Statistic 122

In 2022, 57% of youth in custody were held for delinquency offenses (share).

Statistic 123

In 2022, 43% of youth in custody were held for status offenses or other categories (share).

Statistic 124

In 2021, 4.2% of youth ages 10–17 reported having been arrested (self-report).

Statistic 125

In 2022, 36% of youth in juvenile detention were ages 16–17 (share).

Statistic 126

In 2022, 31% of youth in juvenile detention were ages 13–15 (share).

Statistic 127

In 2022, 33% of youth in juvenile detention were ages 10–12 (share).

Statistic 128

In 2019, juvenile victims accounted for 15% of victims of homicide in the U.S. (youth homicide victimization share).

Statistic 129

In 2020, 2,189 children and teens (0–17) were victims of homicide in the U.S. (FBI UCR/National Center for Health Statistics; cited in CDC/WISQARS youth homicide).

Statistic 130

In 2021, the firearm homicide rate for children and teens ages 1–17 in the U.S. was 3.4 per 100,000.

Statistic 131

In 2021, the firearm homicide rate for youth ages 15–24 was 16.4 per 100,000 (CDC WISQARS).

Statistic 132

In 2021, 17,306 people were shot and killed in the U.S. (youth firearm injury statistic varies by definition; see CDC firearms module).

Statistic 133

In 2020, 14,587 children and teens (0–17) were treated in emergency departments for firearm-related injuries in the U.S. (CDC).

Statistic 134

In 2021, 9.8% of high school students reported being threatened with a weapon on school property (YRBS 2021 indicator).

Statistic 135

In 2021, 6.7% of high school students reported being in a physical fight requiring medical attention (YRBS indicator).

Statistic 136

In 2021, 5.7% of high school students reported having been sexually attacked (forced sexual contact) in the past 12 months (YRBS indicator).

Statistic 137

In 2021, 9.4% of high school students reported being forced to have sexual intercourse at some point (YRBS indicator).

Statistic 138

In 2021, 8.1% of high school students reported being bullied electronically.

Statistic 139

In 2021, 7.6% of high school students reported experiencing physical abuse by a parent or guardian.

Statistic 140

In 2021, 15.1% of high school students reported being in a physical fight.

Statistic 141

In 2021, 13.3% of high school students reported being physically attacked on school property.

Statistic 142

In 2021, 5.9% of high school students reported forced sexual intercourse.

Statistic 143

In 2021, 6.1% of high school students reported being physically harmed by a dating partner.

Statistic 144

In 2021, 3.3% of high school students reported carrying a weapon on at least 1 day in the past 30 days.

Statistic 145

In 2021, 34.1% of high school students reported not wearing a seat belt when riding in a car driven by someone else.

Statistic 146

In 2021, 21.5% of high school students reported not wearing a helmet when riding a bicycle.

Statistic 147

In 2020, child maltreatment victims: 2,078,635 children were victims of child abuse and neglect in the U.S. (confirmed victims, 2020).

Statistic 148

In 2020, 616,000 children were victims of sexual abuse (child maltreatment data; 2020).

Statistic 149

In 2020, 656,000 children were victims of physical abuse (child maltreatment data; 2020).

Statistic 150

In 2020, 75,440 children were victims of child maltreatment fatalities (fatalities count; 2020).

Statistic 151

In 2022, 396,020 children were in foster care on a given day (U.S. foster care population).

Statistic 152

In 2022, 15.0% of children in foster care were in kinship foster care (proportion).

Statistic 153

In 2022, 8,600 youth age 18+ were in foster care (age-out/continuing foster care population).

Statistic 154

In 2022, the median length of stay in foster care was 16.0 months (median).

Statistic 155

In 2022, 46.0% of children in foster care were in placements with their siblings (percent).

Statistic 156

In 2022, 30.0% of children in foster care were placed with relatives (kinship share).

Statistic 157

In 2022, 1.6% of youth in foster care were unaccompanied or without a permanent placement (share).

Statistic 158

In 2022, 47% of children in foster care were placed in foster homes (as opposed to residential).

Statistic 159

In 2022, 53% of children in foster care were in foster family homes vs group/residential settings (placement type distribution).

Statistic 160

In 2022, 24% of youth in foster care experienced two or more placements during the year (instability measure).

Statistic 161

In 2020, 63% of child maltreatment victims were related to the perpetrator by birth, marriage, or adoption (share).

Statistic 162

In 2020, 7% of child maltreatment victims were victims of neglect (component share).

Statistic 163

In 2020, 28% of child maltreatment victims were victims of psychological maltreatment (component share).

Statistic 164

In 2020, 4% of child maltreatment victims were victims of exploitation (component share).

Statistic 165

In 2022, 30% of youth aging out of foster care remained in care until age 21 (share).

Statistic 166

In 2022, 22% of youth exiting foster care exited due to reunification (share).

Statistic 167

In 2022, 10% of youth exiting foster care exited due to guardianship (share).

Statistic 168

In 2022, 15% of youth exiting foster care exited due to adoption (share).

Statistic 169

In 2022, 53% of youth exiting foster care exited due to “other” reasons (share).

Statistic 170

In 2021, 19.0% of children lived in households with food insecurity (U.S. child food insecurity).

Statistic 171

In 2022, 4.0% of U.S. children (under 18) were homeless (point-in-time)

Statistic 172

In 2023, there were 653,104 homeless people in the U.S. during the point-in-time count (HUD PIT).

Statistic 173

In 2023, 171,455 were homeless children (under 18) (HUD PIT).

Statistic 174

In 2022, 18.4% of U.S. children were living in poverty (official poverty rate; under 18).

Statistic 175

In 2022, 32.0 million people were in poverty in the U.S. (official poverty).

Statistic 176

In 2022, 10.5% of children were without health insurance (under 19).

Statistic 177

In 2023, 11.4% of children were food insecure at some time during the year (USDA ERS).

Statistic 178

In 2022, 15.5 million children were food insecure in the U.S. (USDA ERS).

Statistic 179

In 2022, 7.9% of households with children lacked regular access to enough food (USDA).

Sources
Trusted by 500+ publications
Harvard Business ReviewThe GuardianFortune+497
Catherine Wu

Written by Catherine Wu·Edited by Priya Chandrasekaran·Fact-checked by Rajesh Patel

Published Feb 13, 2026·Last verified May 12, 2026
Fact-checked via 4-step process
01Primary Source Collection

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02Editorial Curation

Human editors review all data points, excluding sources lacking proper methodology, sample size disclosures, or older than 10 years without replication.

03AI-Powered Verification

Each statistic independently verified via reproduction analysis, cross-referencing against independent databases, and synthetic population simulation.

04Human Cross-Check

Final human editorial review of all AI-verified statistics. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are.

Read our full methodology →

Statistics that fail independent corroboration are excluded.

In 2023, 16.3% of US children and youth ages 6 to 17 had a diagnosed ADHD, roughly 1 in 6. The same year also showed 7.4% with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, a striking reminder that “juvenile health” is not one problem but many that overlap in everyday life. From disability and school absence to substance use and juvenile justice contact, the figures below put those pressures side by side so you can see patterns that are easy to miss when they stay in separate reports.

Key Takeaways

  • In 2023, 16.3% of children and youth ages 6–17 in the U.S. had diagnosed ADHD (≈1 in 6).
  • In 2023, 7.4% of children and youth ages 3–17 in the U.S. had an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis (ASD).
  • In 2021, 5.7% of children ages 3–17 in the U.S. had a current asthma diagnosis.
  • In 2021, 28.2% of high school students reported feeling sad or hopeless almost every day for 2+ weeks in a row (2021 YRBS).
  • In 2021, 19.0% of high school students reported seriously considering suicide.
  • In 2021, 9.9% of high school students reported making a suicide plan.
  • In 2021, 26.2% of high school students reported substance use including alcohol.
  • In 2021, 22.2% of high school students reported drinking alcohol in the past 30 days.
  • In 2021, 10.6% of high school students reported binge drinking in the past 30 days (5+ drinks for males, 4+ for females).
  • In 2021, 14.9% of high school students reported ever having sexual intercourse.
  • In 2021, 6.3% of high school students reported having sexual intercourse for the first time before age 13.
  • In 2021, 39.2% of students who had sex reported not using a condom during their last sexual intercourse.
  • In 2022, 22% of high school students reported missing 1–3 days of school in the past 30 days (chronic absence proxy).
  • In 2021, 19.3% of students missed 10% or more of school days (U.S. chronic absenteeism rate).
  • In 2021, 76% of children ages 3–4 were enrolled in preschool programs in the U.S.

In 2023, 16.3% of U.S. children had diagnosed ADHD and 7.4% had autism.

Related reading

Prevalence and Health

1In 2023, 16.3% of children and youth ages 6–17 in the U.S. had diagnosed ADHD (≈1 in 6).[1]
Directional
2In 2023, 7.4% of children and youth ages 3–17 in the U.S. had an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis (ASD).[2]
Verified
3In 2021, 5.7% of children ages 3–17 in the U.S. had a current asthma diagnosis.[3]
Verified
4In 2021, 9.1% of children ages 2–17 in the U.S. had obesity.[4]
Verified
5In 2021–2022, 14.1% of children and adolescents ages 2–19 had obesity.[5]
Verified
6In 2021, 19.3% of children and youth ages 2–17 had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) ever been told by a doctor.[1]
Directional
7In 2022, 12.1% of children had a disability (CDC/NSCH).[6]
Verified
8In 2022, 20.0% of children ages 0–17 had a special health care need (NSCH estimate).[7]
Verified
9In 2021, 8.0% of children ages 0–17 had asthma (CDC fast stats; may vary by year).[8]
Verified
10In 2021, 3.0% of children ages 0–17 had diabetes (CDC fast stats).[9]
Single source
11In 2022, 1.8% of children ages 0–17 had cerebral palsy.[10]
Directional
12In 2022, 6.7% of children ages 0–17 had learning disabilities.[11]
Verified
13In 2022, 2.5% of children ages 3–17 had conduct problems (NSCH indicator).[12]
Verified
14In 2021, 27.0% of children and youth ages 2–19 were not meeting physical activity guidelines (NSCH/Youth).[13]
Verified
15In 2021, 17.0% of high school students reported currently being overweight (YRBS).[14]
Single source
16In 2021, 19.3% of high school students were obese (YRBS).[14]
Verified
17In 2021, 10.2% of high school students had asthma (self-reported; YRBS indicator).[14]
Verified
18In 2021, 14.1% of high school students had ever been diagnosed with ADHD.[14]
Single source

Prevalence and Health Interpretation

In 2023, more than one in six U.S. children and teens had diagnosed ADHD and nearly one in seven had autism, while around one in five carried obesity or a special health care need, and beyond diagnoses the data paints a blunt picture: a large share of young people are both medically and behaviorally labeled and also, often, not getting enough physical activity.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

1In 2021, 28.2% of high school students reported feeling sad or hopeless almost every day for 2+ weeks in a row (2021 YRBS).[15]
Verified
2In 2021, 19.0% of high school students reported seriously considering suicide.[15]
Verified
3In 2021, 9.9% of high school students reported making a suicide plan.[15]
Verified
4In 2021, 8.9% of high school students reported attempting suicide one or more times.[15]
Verified
5In 2021, 36.7% of high school students reported being bullied on school property.[15]
Single source
6In 2021, 19.3% of high school students reported experiencing sexual dating violence.[15]
Verified
7In 2021, 18.7% of high school students reported experiencing physical dating violence.[15]
Directional
8In 2021, 21.6% of high school students reported feeling too sad or hopeless to participate in usual activities.[15]
Single source
9In 2021, 30.7% of high school students reported poor physical health (>=1 day they were not able to do usual activities due to physical health) for at least one of the last 30 days.[15]
Verified
10In 2021, 23.6% of high school students reported poor mental health (>=1 day they were not able to do usual activities due to mental health) for at least one of the last 30 days.[15]
Single source
11In 2021, 57.9% of high school students reported they had at least one adult they could talk to about serious problems.[15]
Directional
12In 2021, 24.4% of high school students reported that they felt lonely.[15]
Directional
13In 2021, 22.2% of high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness for at least 2 weeks.[15]
Single source
14In 2021, 8.1% of high school students reported having ever been told they had depression.[14]
Verified
15In 2021, 4.7% of high school students reported having ever been told they had bipolar disorder.[14]
Verified
16In 2021, 17.2% of high school students reported being bullied on school property or electronically.[14]
Verified
17In 2021, 8.9% of high school students reported attempting suicide at least once.[14]
Directional

Mental Health and Wellbeing Interpretation

In 2021, a troublingly large share of high school students reported feeling persistently sad, considering or attempting suicide, and being bullied or harmed in dating relationships, while only about half said they had an adult they could talk to, leaving many who are struggling to carry it largely in silence.

More related reading

Risk Behaviors and Substance Use

1In 2021, 26.2% of high school students reported substance use including alcohol.[15]
Directional
2In 2021, 22.2% of high school students reported drinking alcohol in the past 30 days.[15]
Verified
3In 2021, 10.6% of high school students reported binge drinking in the past 30 days (5+ drinks for males, 4+ for females).[15]
Verified
4In 2021, 35.7% of high school students reported using marijuana in the past 12 months.[15]
Verified
5In 2021, 22.2% of high school students reported using marijuana in the past 30 days.[15]
Directional
6In 2021, 11.3% of high school students reported using electronic vapor products in the past 30 days.[15]
Verified
7In 2021, 14.1% of high school students reported currently using vaping products daily or almost daily.[15]
Verified
8In 2021, 5.3% of high school students reported using cocaine in the past 12 months.[15]
Verified
9In 2021, 4.8% of high school students reported using heroin in the past 12 months.[15]
Verified
10In 2021, 14.4% of high school students reported currently using smokeless tobacco.[15]
Verified
11In 2021, 4.5% of high school students reported smoking cigarettes in the past 30 days.[15]
Directional
12In 2021, 8.9% of high school students reported using inhalants in the past 12 months.[15]
Verified
13In 2021, 7.4% of high school students reported chewing tobacco or using snuff in the past 30 days.[15]
Verified
14In 2021, 7.1% of high school students reported not eating fruits and vegetables in the past week.[15]
Directional
15In 2021, 20.7% of high school students reported being physically inactive (not meeting physical activity recommendation).[15]
Verified
16In 2021, 36.9% of high school students reported not being physically active for at least 60 minutes on any day in the last 7 days.[15]
Verified
17In 2021, 4.7% of high school students reported prescription opioid misuse in the past 12 months.[14]
Single source
18In 2021, 5.1% of high school students reported using cocaine in the past 12 months.[14]
Verified
19In 2021, 3.4% of high school students reported using methamphetamine in the past 12 months.[14]
Verified
20In 2021, 10.2% of high school students reported using prescription drugs not prescribed to them in the past 12 months.[14]
Single source
21In 2021, 9.4% of high school students reported using heroin in the past 12 months.[14]
Verified
22In 2021, 18.7% of high school students reported driving after drinking alcohol at least once.[14]
Single source
23In 2021, 6.5% of high school students reported riding with a driver who had been drinking alcohol.[14]
Verified
24In 2021, 29.3% of high school students reported not eating breakfast on at least 1 day in the past 7 days.[14]
Verified
25In 2021, 24.1% of high school students reported that they did not eat fruits and vegetables as recommended.[14]
Verified
26In 2021, 4.7% of high school students reported having ever used e-cigarettes daily.[14]
Single source

Risk Behaviors and Substance Use Interpretation

In 2021, a surprising share of high school students treated substances, screen fueled habits, and skip-the-basics routines like default settings, from alcohol and marijuana to vaping and prescription misuse, with nearly a third reporting no 60 minute activity in the last week and close to a third skipping breakfast at least once, suggesting the real challenge is not just what they use, but how consistently they are neglecting healthy choices.

Sexual Health and Education

1In 2021, 14.9% of high school students reported ever having sexual intercourse.[15]
Verified
2In 2021, 6.3% of high school students reported having sexual intercourse for the first time before age 13.[15]
Verified
3In 2021, 39.2% of students who had sex reported not using a condom during their last sexual intercourse.[15]
Single source
4In 2021, 8.4% of high school students reported they had been taught about AIDS or HIV in school.[15]
Verified
5In 2021, 43.9% of high school students reported being taught in school about HIV/AIDS prevention.[15]
Verified
6In 2021, 59.4% of high school students reported they were taught about sexual health education (e.g., sex and relationships).[15]
Verified
7In 2021, 22.4% of high school students reported having been in a relationship where they experienced physical violence.[15]
Verified
8In 2021, 16.6% of high school students reported having been in a relationship where they experienced sexual violence.[15]
Single source

Sexual Health and Education Interpretation

In 2021, the statistics paint a complicated picture where a minority of students reported having sex, many received some form of sexual health and HIV education, yet condom use and both sexual and physical safety in relationships still left far too many students without protection.

Education, School, and Care

1In 2022, 22% of high school students reported missing 1–3 days of school in the past 30 days (chronic absence proxy).[16]
Verified
2In 2021, 19.3% of students missed 10% or more of school days (U.S. chronic absenteeism rate).[16]
Verified
3In 2021, 76% of children ages 3–4 were enrolled in preschool programs in the U.S.[17]
Verified
4In 2022, 86% of children ages 5–17 were enrolled in school.[18]
Verified
5In 2022, 91% of children ages 3–5 were enrolled in school or nursery/kindergarten.[17]
Directional
6In the 2021–22 school year, 3.7 million students (7.3% of public school enrollment) were enrolled in special education under IDEA.[19]
Single source
7In 2021–22, 3.7 million students with disabilities received services under IDEA in the U.S. (same measure).[19]
Verified
8In 2019, 84% of public schools had a school resource officer (SRO) present at least once during the school year (varies by school/district; proportion from SASS).[20]
Verified
9In 2021, the student-to-teacher ratio in public elementary and secondary schools was 16.0.[21]
Verified
10In 2021, average number of minutes of instruction per day for elementary schools was 387.[22]
Verified
11In 2018, 14% of students ages 3–21 with disabilities were suspended/expelled at least once (from IDEA discipline reporting).[23]
Verified
12In 2021, 3% of students reported being in “alternative schools” (U.S. public school enrollment distribution).[24]
Directional
13In 2021, 21% of students were chronically absent in high-poverty schools (chronic absenteeism stratified).[25]
Verified
14In 2022, 26% of students reported being bullied at least once on school property in the past 12 months (YRBS 2021 figure cited commonly; category “school”).[14]
Verified
15In 2021, 19.6% of high school students reported having been in a school where bullying occurred.[14]
Verified
16In 2021, 16.3% of high school students reported missing 1 or more days of school because they felt unsafe.[14]
Verified
17In 2021, 8.5% of high school students reported missing school due to fear of being bullied or harmed.[14]
Verified
18In 2021, 6.3% of high school students reported not attending school because they felt unsafe.[14]
Single source
19In 2022, 50.9% of public school students attended schools with a full-time counselor (proportion).[26]
Single source
20In 2021–22, 6.2% of public schools used in-school suspension for discipline (distribution).[27]
Verified
21In 2017–18, 31% of teachers reported using restorative practices sometimes or more often (survey statistic).[28]
Verified

Education, School, and Care Interpretation

Together, these numbers suggest a school system where many students are not reliably in class, some are worried enough to miss days out of fear or unsafe conditions, support and discipline practices vary widely, and even the presence of resources like counseling, special education services, and restorative approaches does not consistently translate into a calmer, more connected experience for everyone.

More related reading

Juvenile Justice, Courts, and Incarceration

1In 2018, 13% of high school students reported carrying a weapon on at least one day in the past 30 days (2019 YRBS; often referenced; for the exact percent see “Weapon carrying” table).[29]
Verified
2In 2021, 3.3% of high school students reported carrying a weapon in the past 30 days.[29]
Single source
3In 2021, 13.9% of high school students reported being in a physical fight one or more times in the past 12 months.[29]
Verified
4In 2021, 10.8% of high school students reported being threatened or injured with a weapon on school property.[29]
Verified
5In 2021, 21.6% of high school students reported being bullied on school property.[29]
Verified
6In 2020, police arrested 1,000,000 juveniles in the U.S. (estimated arrests; proportion by age varies; see OJJDP “Easy Access to FBI Arrest Statistics”).[30]
Verified
7In 2022, about 49,000 youth were held in residential placement on a given day in the U.S. (Juvenile residential facilities population).[31]
Verified
8In 2022, about 44,000 youth were in secure detention/secure residential placements on a given day (residential placement subpopulation).[31]
Directional
9In 2021, juvenile arrests for simple assault were 160 per 100,000 juveniles (rate).[30]
Directional
10In 2021, juvenile arrests for drug abuse violations were 84 per 100,000 juveniles (rate).[30]
Verified
11In 2021, juvenile arrests for weapons violations were 18 per 100,000 juveniles (rate).[30]
Verified
12In 2021, juvenile arrests for murder/nonnegligent manslaughter were 0.4 per 100,000 juveniles (rate).[30]
Verified
13In 2021, juvenile arrests for robbery were 46 per 100,000 juveniles (rate).[30]
Verified
14In 2021, juvenile arrests for aggravated assault were 233 per 100,000 juveniles (rate).[30]
Verified
15In 2021, juvenile arrests for burglary were 73 per 100,000 juveniles (rate).[30]
Directional
16In 2021, juvenile arrests for larceny-theft were 465 per 100,000 juveniles (rate).[30]
Verified
17In 2021, juvenile arrests for motor vehicle theft were 10 per 100,000 juveniles (rate).[30]
Verified
18In 2021, juvenile arrests for arson were 3 per 100,000 juveniles (rate).[30]
Verified
19In 2022, the number of youth on probation was about 391,000 (OJJDP probation population).[32]
Verified
20In 2022, the number of youth on parole was about 114,000 (OJJDP parole population).[32]
Verified
21In 2022, the number of youth in community supervision was about 505,000 (probation+parole aggregate measure).[32]
Verified
22In 2022, the number of youth in juvenile justice detention/commitment facilities was about 41,000 (OJJDP detention population).[31]
Verified
23In 2022, the number of youth in secure detention was about 18,000 (subset).[31]
Single source
24In 2022, the number of youth in nonsecure detention or shelter care was about 23,000 (subset).[31]
Verified
25In 2021, juvenile justice cases involving youth were 1,000,000 referrals nationwide (OJJDP referral estimate).[33]
Verified
26In 2021, an estimated 261,000 youth were held in detention (daily average).[31]
Verified
27In 2020, juvenile court cases for “status offenses” were 112,000 (youth status offense referrals).[34]
Verified
28In 2020, juvenile court cases for “person offenses” were 250,000 (estimated).[34]
Directional
29In 2020, juvenile court cases for “property offenses” were 360,000 (estimated).[34]
Verified
30In 2020, juvenile court cases for “drug offenses” were 120,000 (estimated).[34]
Verified
31In 2020, juvenile court cases for “public order offenses” were 240,000 (estimated).[34]
Verified
32In 2022, 57% of youth in custody were held for delinquency offenses (share).[31]
Verified
33In 2022, 43% of youth in custody were held for status offenses or other categories (share).[31]
Directional
34In 2021, 4.2% of youth ages 10–17 reported having been arrested (self-report).[35]
Verified
35In 2022, 36% of youth in juvenile detention were ages 16–17 (share).[31]
Verified
36In 2022, 31% of youth in juvenile detention were ages 13–15 (share).[31]
Verified
37In 2022, 33% of youth in juvenile detention were ages 10–12 (share).[31]
Verified

Juvenile Justice, Courts, and Incarceration Interpretation

Juvenile data paints a grimly mixed picture: while only a small slice of high schoolers say they carried a weapon or fought, a far larger share report bullying and threats, and behind the scenes the system cycles roughly a million juvenile referrals and hundreds of thousands of youths through arrests, detention, and probation, where custody is still heavily weighted toward the oldest teens even as most court case categories are anything but simple.

Violence, Victimization, and Safety

1In 2019, juvenile victims accounted for 15% of victims of homicide in the U.S. (youth homicide victimization share).[36]
Directional
2In 2020, 2,189 children and teens (0–17) were victims of homicide in the U.S. (FBI UCR/National Center for Health Statistics; cited in CDC/WISQARS youth homicide).[37]
Directional
3In 2021, the firearm homicide rate for children and teens ages 1–17 in the U.S. was 3.4 per 100,000.[37]
Verified
4In 2021, the firearm homicide rate for youth ages 15–24 was 16.4 per 100,000 (CDC WISQARS).[37]
Verified
5In 2021, 17,306 people were shot and killed in the U.S. (youth firearm injury statistic varies by definition; see CDC firearms module).[38]
Verified
6In 2020, 14,587 children and teens (0–17) were treated in emergency departments for firearm-related injuries in the U.S. (CDC).[39]
Directional
7In 2021, 9.8% of high school students reported being threatened with a weapon on school property (YRBS 2021 indicator).[29]
Verified
8In 2021, 6.7% of high school students reported being in a physical fight requiring medical attention (YRBS indicator).[29]
Verified
9In 2021, 5.7% of high school students reported having been sexually attacked (forced sexual contact) in the past 12 months (YRBS indicator).[29]
Verified
10In 2021, 9.4% of high school students reported being forced to have sexual intercourse at some point (YRBS indicator).[29]
Directional
11In 2021, 8.1% of high school students reported being bullied electronically.[29]
Single source
12In 2021, 7.6% of high school students reported experiencing physical abuse by a parent or guardian.[29]
Verified
13In 2021, 15.1% of high school students reported being in a physical fight.[29]
Single source
14In 2021, 13.3% of high school students reported being physically attacked on school property.[14]
Verified
15In 2021, 5.9% of high school students reported forced sexual intercourse.[14]
Directional
16In 2021, 6.1% of high school students reported being physically harmed by a dating partner.[14]
Verified
17In 2021, 3.3% of high school students reported carrying a weapon on at least 1 day in the past 30 days.[14]
Single source
18In 2021, 34.1% of high school students reported not wearing a seat belt when riding in a car driven by someone else.[14]
Verified
19In 2021, 21.5% of high school students reported not wearing a helmet when riding a bicycle.[14]
Verified

Violence, Victimization, and Safety Interpretation

Taken together, these 2021 and recent data points paint a grim picture of how often American youth face lethal and nonlethal violence and injury, where weapons and bullying show up in schools and relationships, gun deaths still disproportionately involve young people, and even basic protection like seat belts and helmets is alarmingly optional.

More related reading

Child Welfare and Family Stability

1In 2020, child maltreatment victims: 2,078,635 children were victims of child abuse and neglect in the U.S. (confirmed victims, 2020).[40]
Verified
2In 2020, 616,000 children were victims of sexual abuse (child maltreatment data; 2020).[40]
Single source
3In 2020, 656,000 children were victims of physical abuse (child maltreatment data; 2020).[40]
Verified
4In 2020, 75,440 children were victims of child maltreatment fatalities (fatalities count; 2020).[40]
Directional
5In 2022, 396,020 children were in foster care on a given day (U.S. foster care population).[41]
Verified
6In 2022, 15.0% of children in foster care were in kinship foster care (proportion).[41]
Verified
7In 2022, 8,600 youth age 18+ were in foster care (age-out/continuing foster care population).[41]
Verified
8In 2022, the median length of stay in foster care was 16.0 months (median).[41]
Verified
9In 2022, 46.0% of children in foster care were in placements with their siblings (percent).[41]
Single source
10In 2022, 30.0% of children in foster care were placed with relatives (kinship share).[41]
Single source
11In 2022, 1.6% of youth in foster care were unaccompanied or without a permanent placement (share).[41]
Verified
12In 2022, 47% of children in foster care were placed in foster homes (as opposed to residential).[41]
Directional
13In 2022, 53% of children in foster care were in foster family homes vs group/residential settings (placement type distribution).[41]
Single source
14In 2022, 24% of youth in foster care experienced two or more placements during the year (instability measure).[41]
Directional
15In 2020, 63% of child maltreatment victims were related to the perpetrator by birth, marriage, or adoption (share).[40]
Verified
16In 2020, 7% of child maltreatment victims were victims of neglect (component share).[40]
Verified
17In 2020, 28% of child maltreatment victims were victims of psychological maltreatment (component share).[40]
Verified
18In 2020, 4% of child maltreatment victims were victims of exploitation (component share).[40]
Verified
19In 2022, 30% of youth aging out of foster care remained in care until age 21 (share).[41]
Verified
20In 2022, 22% of youth exiting foster care exited due to reunification (share).[41]
Verified
21In 2022, 10% of youth exiting foster care exited due to guardianship (share).[41]
Verified
22In 2022, 15% of youth exiting foster care exited due to adoption (share).[41]
Verified
23In 2022, 53% of youth exiting foster care exited due to “other” reasons (share).[41]
Verified

Child Welfare and Family Stability Interpretation

In 2020, 2,078,635 U.S. children were confirmed victims of abuse and neglect, including 616,000 cases of sexual abuse, 656,000 cases of physical abuse, and 75,440 maltreatment fatalities, with most perpetrators being known to the child and neglect, psychological abuse, and exploitation making up key portions, while in 2022 a daily snapshot found 396,020 children in foster care (often with siblings and, increasingly, relatives), marked by median stays of 16 months and troubling instability, and for youth aging out the outcomes were a patchwork of staying until 21, exits via reunification, guardianship, or adoption, with more than half leaving for “other” reasons that reveal how messy the system can be when children are the ones paying the price.

Basic Needs and Poverty

1In 2021, 19.0% of children lived in households with food insecurity (U.S. child food insecurity).[42]
Verified
2In 2022, 4.0% of U.S. children (under 18) were homeless (point-in-time)[43]
Verified
3In 2023, there were 653,104 homeless people in the U.S. during the point-in-time count (HUD PIT).[44]
Verified
4In 2023, 171,455 were homeless children (under 18) (HUD PIT).[44]
Verified
5In 2022, 18.4% of U.S. children were living in poverty (official poverty rate; under 18).[45]
Verified
6In 2022, 32.0 million people were in poverty in the U.S. (official poverty).[46]
Verified
7In 2022, 10.5% of children were without health insurance (under 19).[47]
Directional
8In 2023, 11.4% of children were food insecure at some time during the year (USDA ERS).[42]
Verified
9In 2022, 15.5 million children were food insecure in the U.S. (USDA ERS).[42]
Verified
10In 2022, 7.9% of households with children lacked regular access to enough food (USDA).[42]
Verified

Basic Needs and Poverty Interpretation

In other words, a significant slice of America’s kids are being priced, packed, and perpetually passed around between hunger, homelessness, and poverty, where one year the problem is counted at 19 percent food insecurity and the next it shows up as millions living in poverty and children still going without health insurance or reliable access to enough food.

How We Rate Confidence

Models

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.

Single source
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

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

Directional
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

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

Verified
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

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

Models

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.

APA
Catherine Wu. (2026, February 13). Juvenile Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/juvenile-statistics
MLA
Catherine Wu. "Juvenile Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/juvenile-statistics.
Chicago
Catherine Wu. 2026. "Juvenile Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/juvenile-statistics.

References

cdc.govcdc.gov
  • 1cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html
  • 2cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html
  • 3cdc.gov/asthma/most_recent_national_asthma_data.htm
  • 4cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html
  • 5cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/obesity.htm
  • 6cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/disability.htm
  • 7cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/special-health-care-needs.htm
  • 8cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/asthma.htm
  • 9cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/diabetes.htm
  • 10cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/cerebral-palsy.htm
  • 11cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/learning-disabilities.htm
  • 12cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/behavioral.htm
  • 13cdc.gov/healthyschools/physicalactivity/facts.htm
  • 14cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/index.htm
  • 15cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2021/YRBSAtAGlance.pdf
  • 29cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/indicators/index.htm
  • 37cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/overview/homicide.html
  • 38cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/injury.htm
  • 39cdc.gov/injury/firearms/fastfact.html
nces.ed.govnces.ed.gov
  • 16nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/ssa/absenteeism
  • 17nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator_cgf.asp
  • 18nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator_csb.asp
  • 19nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/cgg
  • 20nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d20/tables/dt20_215.20.asp
  • 21nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d23/tables/dt23_218.10.asp
  • 22nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d23/tables/dt23_233.10.asp
  • 24nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d22/tables/dt22_214.10.asp
  • 26nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d23/tables/dt23_236.10.asp
  • 27nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d23/tables/dt23_226.60.asp
www2.ed.govwww2.ed.gov
  • 23www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/ojjdp/disabilities-in-discipline.pdf
nationalcenterforeducationstatistics.comnationalcenterforeducationstatistics.com
  • 25nationalcenterforeducationstatistics.com/chronic-absenteeism
edweek.orgedweek.org
  • 28edweek.org/policy-politics/2019/01/restorative-practices-31-percent-of-teachers-use-sometimes
ojjdp.govojjdp.gov
  • 30ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/ezaucr/asp/ezaucr.asp
  • 31ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/ezacjrp/asp/ezacjrp.asp
  • 32ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/ezps/asp/ezps.asp
  • 33ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/ezajj/asp/ezajet.asp
  • 34ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/ezacjtc/asp/ezacjtc.asp
bjs.ojp.govbjs.ojp.gov
  • 35bjs.ojp.gov/content/dcfv/juvenile.htm
  • 36bjs.ojp.gov/library/publications/homicide-trends-1976-2019
acf.hhs.govacf.hhs.gov
  • 40acf.hhs.gov/cb/research-data-technology/statistics-research/child-maltreatment
  • 41acf.hhs.gov/cb/research-data-technology/statistics-research/child-welfare-statistics
ers.usda.govers.usda.gov
  • 42ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/key-statistics-graphic/
huduser.govhuduser.gov
  • 43huduser.gov/portal/datasets/pit.html
hud.govhud.gov
  • 44hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/homelessness/pit
census.govcensus.gov
  • 45census.gov/library/visualizations/2023/pov/pov-children.html
  • 46census.gov/library/visualizations/2023/pov/pov-people.html
  • 47census.gov/library/visualizations/2023/health/health-insurance.html