Kentucky Ranks Among Worst States For Childhood Poverty, New Study Finds

Kentucky ranks seventh in the US for the highest percentage of young children living in poverty, according to a recent study conducted by Birth Injury Lawyers Group.

The analysis, conducted by the Birth Injury Lawyers Group, looked over five years of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, focusing on children under the age of five.

Over the course of those five years from 2019 to 2023, Kentucky averaged 222 children in poverty per 1,000 in this age group—32% higher than the national average of 168.

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That number equates to almost one in every five young children here in the Commonwealth—more than 58,000—growing up with restricted access to fundamental resources throughout their most formative years.

More than 60,000 Kentucky children under five were impoverished in 2021 at the dataset’s worst point. And though there was a small improvement in 2023, the count stayed high at 55,659 across Kentucky.

“When a child is born into poverty, they’re already running a race with a headwind,” said a spokesperson from the Birth Injury Lawyers Group. “The first few years shape everything—how well they grow, learn, and thrive. This data uncovers a painful truth: in states like Kentucky, kids are beginning life with the odds stacked against them.”

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To identify where children encounter the toughest financial situation, the study looked at poverty rates per 1,000 children throughout all 50 states. During the study period, Kentucky’s average child under five count was 264,369; nearly 25% of them were impoverished.

“This isn’t just about numbers,” the Birth Injury Lawyers Group spokesperson added. “It’s about real families trying to make ends meet, about toddlers whose futures are impacted before they even speak their first words. In order to break the cycle, state leaders and community programs in Kentucky must prioritize early support and meet families where they are. Every child deserves a fair shot, no matter where they’re born.”

For full study details and methodology, visit www.birthinjurylawyer.com.

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This article appears in Jun 20 – Jul 3, 2025.