Foster Care Services
Foster Parenting
Becoming a foster parent is a rewarding experience that can make a positive impact on a child's life. Our team at Foster Care Answers will guide you through the process and provide support every step of the way.
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Foster care facts by numbers — based on the most reliable data from U.S. child welfare reports and foster care studies (latest around 2023-2024):
📊 Foster Care Facts by the Numbers:
- 391,000 children were in foster care in the United States as of the latest count.
- The average age of a child in foster care is about 8 years old.
- Over 113,000 children in foster care are waiting to be adopted.
- About 50% of children in foster care return to their biological families.
- 20,000+ young adults "age out" of the foster care system each year without a permanent family (usually at age 18 or 21, depending on the state).
- 1 in 3 children entering foster care are under the age of 5.
- The average length of stay in foster care is around 21 months.
- 45% of foster children are placed with relatives (kinship care).
- More than 60% of children who enter foster care do so because of neglect, not abuse.
- Children of color are overrepresented in foster care:
- Black children: about 13% of U.S. children but 22% of foster care population
- Native American children: also disproportionately represented.
- Black children: about 13% of U.S. children but 22% of foster care population
- Foster families provide about 70% of placements; group homes or institutions account for around 10%.
- 40% of foster youth experience 4 or more placements while in care.
- Children in foster care are diagnosed with PTSD at rates twice as high as U.S. combat veterans.
- Nationally, about 50% of foster youth graduate from high school by age 18 (compared to 87% of general population).
- Less than 3% of former foster youth earn a college degree by age 25.
- Approximately 30–50% of foster parents quit within the first year.