Census Tracts and Child-Raising: Place-Based Implications for Child and Family Policy Investments and Reforms

Place matters, and neighborhood is particularly important to young children, whose lives often are largely defined by the few blocks around their homes. While parents remain the most important influence on and determinant of young children's healthy growth, neighborhoods also play a significant role.

This analysis, using 2000 census data, first categorized the country's 65,000 census tracts for their child-raising vulnerability. It then contrasted the most vulnerable census tracts with other census tracts on these vulnerability characteristics and on their child and young adult populations, and the consequent implications for public policy.