Where Are the Children?

A recent USA TODAY analysis of 2010 Census Bureau data shows that the share of the population younger than 18 has dropped in 95 percent of U.S. counties since 2000 – despite a 9.7 percent growth in the U.S. population. Currently, children (under age 18) make up 24 percent of the nation’s population, compared to 25.7 percent in 2000.
Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family, sees it as a sad trend. “There is tremendous value in children,” he wrote on his blog last week. “There is nothing sweeter than the sound of a little person playing and laughing. To see a child is to stand in awe of our Creator. We would be hard pressed to find a better way to invest our time than in the life of a little girl or boy.”
The census analysis also reveals that:

• The number of households that have children under 18 has stayed at 38 million since 2000, but because of the 9.7 percent population growth, the share of households with children dropped from 36 percent in 2000 to 33.5 percent in 2010.
• There are now more households with dogs (43 million) than children.
• In rural counties, the child population dropped by more than 6 percent over the last 10 years.
• Even in counties where the percentage of children grew, only 49 gained more than 1 percentage point.

Glenn Stanton, director of global family formation studies at Focus on the Family, said children also help to shape adults into better citizens. “Having children around requires that we are more mindful of others, that we act more responsibly, safer and considerate,” he said. “And we must realize that tomorrow’s educators, leaders, business owners, innovators and taxpayers always start out as children!”
For more information about the research go to USA TODAY.