Wyoming ranks 23rd in the 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book

Data shows that family and community remain strong in Wyoming, while barriers to health coverage affect child well-being

The 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book, a 50-state report of recent data developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation analyzing how kids are faring in post-pandemic America, has Wyoming ranked middle of the pack, highlighting areas of strength and needed improvement. 

Wyoming had strong results in several areas, including having the fewest kids in the nation living in high-poverty areas and the third highest rank of fourth graders reading at a proficient level. This ranking reflects the payoff of dedicated educators and the Wyoming community that supports education and youth. These data points are just two of 16 evaluated by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Still, challenges remain. Roughly 10,000 children in Wyoming lack health insurance, placing the state near the bottom in the health ranking. According to Micah Richardson, associate director of policy for the Wyoming Women’s Foundation, this number means families don’t have the freedom that comes with access to essential care and the ability to live a healthy life.

“Until state legislators decide that the health of Wyomingites is important enough to expand Medicaid, these percentages will remain high,” says Richardson. 

Richardson points to data showing that states which have expanded Medicaid have better health outcomes for their residents. “All of us can agree that we want our children, friends, neighbors and communities to be healthy,” says Richardson. “But many low-income adults in Wyoming earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to afford coverage through the exchange—and their children suffer,” states Richardson. 

And while Wyoming has the fewest children in high-poverty areas, the Data Book also shows that 19,000 Wyoming children—15% of the state’s youth—live in poverty, ranking the state 25th on this indicator. “That’s not acceptable in a state where we pride ourselves on being honest about our challenges and stepping up to support our neighbors,” says Richardson.

What’s more alarming, she says, is that programs like SNAP and Medicaid which work to move people out of poverty may be cut or reduced by the federal government. “When federal programs are cut so drastically and nonprofit funding is cut, as well, the result is more hardworking families unable to make ends meet and more children in poverty.”

“We know what kids need to grow up healthy, strong and resilient: Stable homes, strong schools, nutritious food, meaningful relationships and opportunities to learn, play and grow. Programs that meet these needs are smart investments, fostering long-term gains like employment and economic growth,” Richardson says.

Each year, the Data Book presents national and state data from 16 indicators in four domains — economic well-being, education, health, and family and community factors — and ranks the states according to how children are faring overall.

The 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book is available at www.aecf.org/databook.